Why I Chose To Become A Stay-At-Home Mom: Pros And Cons Of Being A SAHM

I was never a workaholic, but I have never dreamed of staying home, let alone becoming a stay-at-home mom. I have nothing against it though; it's just that I enjoy working a lot. 

I may not be a star employee but when I'm in the office or restaurant, I see to it that I always do my best no matter how big or small the job is. On top of that, I am ambitious. I love expensive things and I rely on myself most of the time so yeah, I have to make money on my own.

However, when I got pregnant, I stayed at home since companies won't hire a woman having a tiny human inside her belly. Back then, I don't have any idea about home-based jobs. So, I promised myself that after giving birth, I'll get back to work ASAP! 

I even thought of going back abroad since the salary's way better there. 

Little did I know, everything would change.

It was October 2, 2015, around 8 in the morning, when I saw my little one for the first time. My heart melted. It was the best thing ever and even until now, at the time of this writing, I am overwhelmed with wonderful emotions.

To cut the story short, I wasn't able to get back to the corporate world. I did apply for a few jobs, got hired, but I did not continue the application.

I just can't leave him at home alone. My mom helps me take care of him, by the way, but I feel like he needs me more than anyone else. Also, it feels good to see every milestone; the first time he ate, the first time he walked; the first time he said the word "mama". Valuable, very valuable.

As for my own ambitions, I was able to start my freelancing career. I work as a content writer and social media manager now so making money online was possible.

You can learn more about my freelancing journey on my new blog by clicking this link.

On top of this, I had an opportunity to start a beauty business online. Thanks to Wink White, I have extra cash to cover other expenses. 

If you're a stay-at-home mom or you just want a side hustle, you can become an authorized Wink White reseller now!

Sharing a photo of my son. Isn't he amazing?

Anyway, here are the other reasons why I chose to become a stay-at-home mom:

Pros And Cons Of Being A Stay-At-Home Mom

• You Are Always There When Your Little One Needs You 

Whenever the baby is sick, you don’t need to ask permission from your boss for a leave or to go home early just to take care of them. You are present in all special occasions -- birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, etc. 

On the downside, there’s almost no way out. I mean, of course, you will feel exhausted and you need more time for yourself. Sadly, you can’t just go out and have coffee to relieve stress, let alone have a minute to pee in peace.

• You Have More Time To Explore Opportunities

When I became a SAHM, I was able to find more than one job to work with. Thanks to Upwork and LinkedIn, I was able to find clients for my virtual assistant services. Also, once my baby’s asleep, I have extra time for Internet. 

Instead of browsing feed, I use that to earn money by promoting quality beauty products from Thailand.

However, this is not the case all the time. I mean, the extra time I’m talking about is when everyone’s asleep. That means sacrificing your own bedtime. As for me, I wake up at around 3 or 5 in the morning so I can accomplish as many tasks as I can.

• You Have More Time To Bond

Basically, the beauty of becoming a SAHM is the time you have. You can build a deeper, stronger connection with them rather than letting them stay in a daycare or with other people. You can manage what they are eating, help them develop a routine, play with them, teach them values, etc.

I can’t find any downside of this one except for your own social life. Sometimes, we get so deeply connected with our kids that we forgot about the life outside home. While it’s good to prioritize family, spending time with friends can definitely help you mentally and emotionally.

• You Have More Freedom

Since I’m not working outside, I am not stuck in a cubicle from 9 AM to 5 PM. I don’t have to deal with heavy traffic. I can go anywhere I want, anytime.

The drawback is, since I am at home, I need to do almost everything -- cooking, taking care of the kid, cleaning, etc. You know what I mean. *wink

Therefore, it’s still good to have help around. You cannot do all these things alone or in case you have no other options, give yourself a break. You don’t always need a clean sink, sweetie. Your little one will understand you if somehow, you got lazy and skipped a routine. The important thing is, you are still taking time for yourself.

Becoming a mom is a challenge, whether you’re working out or staying home. Your chosen lifestyle doesn’t make you lesser or greater than the other moms. As long as you know that you are giving your best to your little one, you are doing just fine.

Cheers!