Staying at Home Can Work for Moms

More important than money is the fact that kids raised by mothers at home have a better chance to learn family values and build strong relationships. And according to a study by Columbia University, such children often fare better in cognitive development.

But society encourages us to get a college degree and a full-time, out-of-home job. That’s not necessarily bad, but there is also a tendency to look down on women who simply want to be moms.

Working at home is often difficult and demands flexibility, hard work and a broad range of knowledge. If a woman decides she wants to stay home, she should be applauded.

It’s a tough job done behind the scenes, sometimes with little adult interaction, and with no bonus at the end of the year. It’s also one that many are either unwilling or unable to do.

Some families have legitimate financial reasons for moms working outside the home; sometimes it’s the dad who stays home. Many times, though, two working parents is a lifestyle choice.

But there is a growing trend of professional women chucking their careers in favor of family-making. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of full-time female workers has decreased while the number of part-time workers has increased.

The latest U.S. Census also shows that nearly 10.6 million children are being raised by stay-at-home moms. That is an increase of 13 percent in less than 10 years.

If a mother has any doubt of her monetary value, check out these numbers taken from Salary.com, based on national averages from 2002. They are typical jobs that a mom does, starting with those most often performed, and the annual salary such work usually pays:

Daycare worker: $19,176
Educator: $38,500
Taxi driver: $25,884
Facilities manager: $68,131
Short-order cook: $26,009
Laundry attendant: $16,959
Janitor: $24,509
Actor/performer: $41,198
Counselor: $27,638
Chief executive: $529,362
Administrative assistant: $35,475
Accounting clerk: $32,520
Licensed practical nurse: $34,627
Hairstylist: $19,411
Plumber: $27,609
Auto mechanic: $26,694
Cake decorator: $20,199

To perform these jobs well takes skill, knowledge and intuition. It would also take multiple college degrees and special training — unless you’re a work at home mom.

Strong families create strong people who are productive and well-adjusted. Those who stay at home to take on this worthy task should be applauded.

They also should know that they’re making a smart choice.