by Carole Ligi

Created on: July 18, 2009   Last Updated: July 19, 2009

Deciding to be a stay-at-home mom is one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs of all. But, at the same time it is one of the most unappreciated professions that exist. A stay-at-home mom holds many job titles including housekeeper, chef, sitter, chauffeur, shopper, banker, tutor, doctor, entertainment coordinator and law enforcement to name a few.

While many mothers work outside the home either because they choose to, have to or both; stay-at-home mothers choose this profession because they believe that it is in the best interest of their children and their family.

Stay-at-home moms are frequently told that they don't work and are often looked down on by society because they are considered unproductive and do not have a real job. People have even made the comment of what do you have to be stressed about; you do nothing all day. Most of these moms would be delighted to change jobs for just one day so that these critics could spend one day in their shoes and see how much they do work. The payments come in hugs; not material gain.

Many stay-at-home moms do more with less money. They do without new clothes and going out to eat frequently so that their children can have all the necessities that they want and need.

Many children thrive in school with stay-at-home moms because these mothers are available to ensure that assignments are completed and to tutor whenever possible if a child needs extra help. This is not to say that mothers that work outside of the home do not make themselves available for the children's education; it is simply that their time is more limited.

Husbands are on the forefront to ensuring that their wives feel appreciated and should do so at every opportunity. They go to work knowing that their children are receiving the best care possible and that the maintaining of the house will be taken care of without them having to take off from work.

As long as society continues to view working inside of the home as not having a real job; then stay-at-home mothers' work will continue to be devalued. But if you ask any stay-at-home mom if she regrets her decision to work in the home as opposed to having a job outside of the home and the majority will tell you that it was all worth while because they know that they did what they believe is best for raising our children.

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