According to Pew Research Center, 69% of mothers with children under 18 are employed. Of those working mothers, 26% work full time and 42% work part time. So what happens when a mother wants to leave her career to stay at home with her kids? For many women, it's not as simple as just quitting their job. Here are five challenges they face (that have nothing to do with money).
1. Guilt
Whether we want to admit it or not, there is still a stigma around mothers who stay at home with their kids. Oftentimes, these women feel guilty for not working and contributing to their family's financial stability. They worry about what people will say or think about their decision to stay home. Will they be judged? Will they be seen as lazy? These are all valid concerns that can make the transition from working mother to stay-at-home mother very difficult.
2. Loneliness
Mothers who stay at home with their kids can often feel isolated and lonely. Since they're not working outside the home, they don't have the opportunity to interact with other adults on a daily basis. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness that can be very difficult to deal with.
3. Boredom
Another challenge facing mothers who stay at home is boredom. When you're used to working 40+ hours per week, it can be hard to adjust to having all that free time at home with your kids. It's important to find activities that you enjoy and make the most of your time at home. Otherwise, you may start to feel like you're going stir-crazy!
4. Lack of Structure
Mothers who stay at home also have to deal with the lack of structure that comes along with leaving their career behind. When you're used to working 9-5 (or even longer), it can be tough to adjust to having a more flexible schedule. It's important to create a daily routine for yourself and your family so that everyone knows what to expect each day. Otherwise, things can quickly become chaotic.
5. Missing the Adult Conversation
Lastly, another common challenge faced by mothers who stay at home is missing the adult conversation. When you're surrounded by small children all day, it's easy to start feeling like you're losing your mind! Make sure to take some time each day (even if it's just 30 minutes) to talk to another adult about something other than diapers and toddlers. You'll be surprised how much better you'll feel afterward.
While there are many challenges that come along with leaving your career behind to stay at home with your kids, it's important to remember that it is a decision that should be made based on what's best for your family - not what other people think or say about it. If you're considering making the switch from working mother to stay-at-home mom, make sure you take the time to weigh all the pros and cons before making your final decision.
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