When my niece was pregnant with her first child, she was the bread winner in her family, carried the health insurance and felt she HAD to go back to work because her husband had just started his own business. She struggled when her daughter was at daycare, and her marriage struggled too. After working full-time, she came home and took care of the baby, dinner, and the house.
I told her what you said about working mothers and that I agreed with you. She pushed back at first, but then saw the validity in your point of view. She didn’t think she could leave her job and continue in the lifestyle they had. When she became pregnant with twins, the cost of daycare for three kids would have used up her entire paycheck. And that’s when she realized that staying home was also better for the children.
While there have been scary times when their business slowed down, due to her good budgeting, they came out okay. Recently, I asked her if she was happy being a stay-at-home mom. What she said struck me: “Oh my gosh, yes! And you don’t hear anyone talking about the value of staying home – I only heard it from you! I now know my twin sons really well; with my older daughter, I didn’t know what she wanted when she was crying – was she hungry, tired, or in need of a hug? I was frustrated and so was she. Now, I know exactly what they need and how they communicate.”
I’m so happy that I had the guts to speak my mind and that she was open to hearing me. I just channeled YOU, Dr. Laura, so you never know how far your words actually reach.
Krysta
I Persuaded My Niece to Become a Stay-At-Home Mom