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Are you a working mom struggling with whether or not to go back to work after having your sweet baby? Or, maybe you have been home a while with your little one and feel like something is missing. Then, there is the question of whether you can financially afford not to work.
You’ve probably been weighing the pros and cons of working versus being a full-time stay at home mom. Let me tell you, there are some awesome benefits of being a working mom.
For me, these benefits far outweighed any disadvantage. As a woman, I enjoy feeling appreciated, I thrive on productivity, and I need to feel connected with society.
If this sounds like you, then being a working mom is likely the right path for you.
I vividly remember going back to work after I had my last baby.
As you can imagine, the thought of leaving my little one with someone else to take care of him was heartbreaking.
After all, I was home with my first two children until my second (my son) was almost a year old. Even then, I only worked part time for a while.
But, after going back and forth with the idea of full-time stay-at-home-mom versus working mom, I decided being a working mom would benefit the family far more than being a stay-at-home-mommy.
While this might not be the path you choose when making the decision of being a working parent vs. stay-at-home mother, these benefits will be able to help you make a more informed choice.
BENEFITS OF BEING A WORKING MOM
Below are the top benefits of being a working mom that drove my decision to go back to work.
Because there are advantages for everyone in the family, they are broken into three categories that address how being a working mom benefits your children, how being a working mom benefits your marriage, and how being a working mom benefits you individually.
HOW YOUR KIDS BENEFIT FROM HAVING A WORKING MOM
No matter what style of mom you are, the ultimate goal is to do what is best for our children.
The article, Children Benefit from Having a Working Mom, posted by Harvard Business School, reviews a study of the impact a working mother has on her children. The findings indicate that children of working moms find equal value in contributions made within and outside of the home.
By going to work, keeping a schedule, and maintaining a household, we teach our children to be strong, self-sufficient individuals.
We teach our children…
- how to prioritize based on importance and self-fulfillment, which teaches them self-love.
- the importance of a solid work ethic that emulates honor and pride for their efforts.
- that with accomplishment comes responsibility first.
Having a working mom benefits kids later in life, too.
We teach our sons to respect women and treat them as equals and appreciate their efforts . And, we teach our daughters they can have a successful career without sacrificing their choice to have a family.
HOW BEING A WORKING MOM BENEFITS YOUR MARRIAGE
Each relationship is different, but one thing is for sure – it’s much healthier when you both contribute value to the relationship.
By actively pursuing what makes you happy and feel accomplished, you are showing your spouse how you want to be treated while adding substance to the relationship.
When you’re a working mom…
- you are able to help your spouse with the financials and relieve stress.
- fathers tend to assist more with household chores and responsibilities according to a survey by Pew Research Center.
- you share the understanding with your spouse of what it means to be a working parent and have a stronger connection because of it.
There is no doubt that your employment status plays a role in your relationships. Being able to share the financial work load and chores and responsibilities at home, gives you a definite advantage.
BENEFITS OF BEING A WORKING MOM FOR YOU
Before we were moms, we were just women. The needs we had then are the same needs we have now, except maybe in a slightly different form.
After having children and tending to their needs 24/7, it’s nice to have a break and recoup our thoughts. We are human, after all. Of course we long for interaction and appreciation.
When you are a working mom, you…
- have a stronger since of self-worth through accomplishment and appreciation from your peers.
- have time away from your children to reflect on, think about and appreciate your loved ones.
- are able to interact with like-minded adults and have conversations about things you can’t discuss with your children.
Ultimately, being a working mom gives us a greater since of self. It allows us to stand apart from our children and spouse and be our own person without fear of falling in line with mom routine and letting it define us completely.
As moms, we often struggle with feeling guilty about putting ourselves first. In this case, I hope these benefits of being a working mom help you set that guilt aside.
If mom guilt is something you struggle with check out this post HERE to read about the negative side effects of mom guilt.
As a mom, if you also struggle to find time for yourself in your busy schedule, try THESE TIPS.
P.S. – This post was originally posted at This Real Mom. You can check out the blog HERE to find some great family travel ideas and parenting hacks you’ll love.
Hello Jillian,
Thank you for writing about the benefits of being a working mom. It is great to work and be able to contribute to the family, society and for personal growth. However, it is not easy to find a good balance, where we are able to meet the demands of our work as well as our families. Do you have any advice for moms working on demanding jobs?
I’m visiting from #InspireMeLink!
Best,
Sigrid
Hi, Sigrid! I completely understand the demands and expectations that come with being a working mom. I am one of those working moms. Finding balance is all about doing what works best for your family. You need to decide what is most important to you, and be okay if the rest doesn’t get done (or doesn’t get done ’til later). And, it’s important to remember we can’t physically or emotionally do it all – even though we sure try! Don’t be afraid to ask for help and always prioritize your family. Those are my best tips. Thank you for stopping by!
Congratulations! This post won the Inspire Me Monday Linky Party. You’ll be featured on my site tomorrow.
Janice, your hostess
Thank you, Janice! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! I’m looking forward to seeing more of your posts and participating in the Inspire Me Monday’s. ~Jillian
I was a stay at home Mom for the majority of the time that my son was growing up, and that really worked for me and for our family. I contributed value by enabling my husband to concentrate fully on his career (as he had the potential to move further ahead in a career outside the home than I did), and that worked for us and our relationship.
I totally agree though, there are definitely benefits to being a working Mom too! You have to do what works for you and your family. It just depends on the people, the relationship and the situation. It’s so important for all of us women to support one another, regardless of our choices. I appreciate you sharing this post with the Hearth and Soul Link Party as I’m sure many women will find it encouraging.
Hi, April! You are right. When it comes to decisions like whether or not to be a work-at-home mom vs a stay-at-home mom, you should always do what’s best for your family and your current situation. There are benefits from both perspectives.
My goal here is to support and encourage women in their everyday lives. I want women to know that if they want to be, or if financial situations forces them into being, a working mom, it’s okay. There should be no guilt or shame associated with it.
Thank you for stopping by! I look forward to sharing more at Hearth and Soul. ~Jillian