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Letters From Listeners

Women as Primary Breadwinner
05/21/2014

I think it can be harmful to the family dynamic when the woman is the primary breadwinner. My salary is much higher than my husband's, so we have experienced this firsthand. When my son was three months old, I had to go back to work full-time, and my husband was our son's primary caregiver.  He then worked part-time on my days off. He is a wonderful father, and I was thankful I didn't have to leave my son in day care, but it still broke my heart to be away from him so much. I'm sure my husband felt guilty he couldn't support us, and it probably affected his self-esteem and self-confidence.

Thankfully, a few years later, we were able to reverse our roles. Now my husband works full-time and I work part-time opposite his schedule. People think we're crazy because our lifestyle would be so different if I were the one working full-time, but the financial sacrifice is well worth the benefits we gain from being able to fulfill the roles we feel called to.

Claire
Tags: Finances, Marriage, Parenting, Personal Responsibility, Stay-at-Home Mom, Values
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