Comments on: Choosing a stay at home parent?

By: MoneyGrubbingLawyer

MoneyGrubbingLawyer — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:12:14 +0000

Another factor to consider is the impact of staying at home for a few years will impact future career opportunities. A doctor will always be highly employable, but someone working in a field where networking and keeping up on changing skills may have a more difficult time, In a case like that, it may not be a question of money, but of longterm impact.

I think another big factor that keeps many dads from staying at home is the fact that it is less acceptable for men to do so, both socially and in the eyes of employers. For women, it is an acceptable option, but for many men it involves quite a bit of stigma.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:08:07 +0000

My opinion is that its best to do what works for your family. This is what works for mine and I really could care less about what everyone else does.

By: LivingAlmostLarge

LivingAlmostLarge — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:15:26 +0000

Funny I know a doctor whose husband works not making as much money and she’s decided to stay at home though she carries better benefits and makes more money. I guess her husband doesn’t want to stay at home, but they want someone to stay at home with their child, so she’ll give up her position.

By: fengshui

fengshui — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:17:01 +0000

I’m right there with Kristy. DH and I are in the same position. I make more and am the benefits carrier. We did decide that we would have him be the SAHD for one year, and he would also go to school FT, since many of his classes are on line or only once per week. Then after he is done with school, then his mom would care for our baby while we both work. I may decide to cut back my hours to 32 from 40 once he goes back to work. I’m not sure yet. One of the biggest reasons for DH needing to return back to work after a year is to helpfund retirment accounts. We started saving later in life than most people (29 verses 22). I also think that the idea of SAHD is slowly gaining the respect that it deserves.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:42:05 +0000

I think there are alot of issues regarding a stay at home parent. It is not just income, but benefits as well. I am a working mom who makes more than my husband by double and who has the health insurance for the family. It would be impractical and irresponsible for me to stay at home. That does not mean that I am an uncaring mom. I care so much that I work to provide for my family. Could DH stay home? Sure, he could. But then we wouldn’t have enough for our retirement accounts, college education for the kids, vacations or anything extra. For us, we both choose to work to provide for the family now and in the future.

I want to add that I do enjoy my job and that I would be working even if I didn’t have the insurance. In saying that, my job provides me with a lot of flexibility that not everyone has and I am very thankful for that.

By: dogatemyfinances

dogatemyfinances — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:22:23 +0000

I think it should be based on neither finances nor gender.

I think it should be who WANTS to stay home which (generalizing here) is more often women. Whether that’s tied to norms, well, I think it’s safe to say it is.

Obviously, it’s tied to practical concerns like money. I also think men can be judged very harshly for staying at home.