8 reasons I love being a stay-at-home mom

Being a stay-at-home mom is no easy feat. There are many challenges that come with the role, on top of the internal and external pressures to do it all. Some days, the hardships seem to outweigh the benefits of being a SAHM. But despite all the things that make the role a tough one to maintain, I have truly grown to love the opportunity of staying home with my child.

I can list tons of reasons why being a stay-at-home mom is the best decision for me at this stage of my life. From being hands-on with my son to him basically having complete access to at least one of his parents every day, it’s part of how I always wanted to raise my children when I envisioned becoming a mother.

Related: The case for “staying home” with kids

8 reasons why being a SAHM is perfect for me

1. I get to spend endless time with my kid

I know some people might ask “Well don’t you need a break sometimes?” And it’s true, there are definitely moments when I need time for myself, but I know that those things are only an ask away. 

I treasure waking up each morning and looking forward to the day ahead of me and my child, knowing that we have hours upon hours to make memories, to fill our home with laughter and to explore new things.

2. I don’t have the fear of missing my child hitting milestones

Before I became a mom, this fear was a big one for me. I didn’t want to be the mama who didn’t get the firsthand experience of witnessing her child’s first steps or first words. I didn’t want to have to experience those moments through a video that someone else sent me or through secondhand narrative. I imagined that having to experience my child’s firsts in a way other than physically being there for them would have me suffering beneath a boulder of mom guilt—and I didn’t want that to be my reality.

I know that not every mom is granted this ability, but being able to capture my child’s milestones firsthand is even better than I would’ve ever imagined. (I’m definitely the mama who squeals in an uncontainable excitement at every little thing!)

Related: Your Guide to Baby Milestones

3. It eases my worries

Because I am home with my child, I don’t have to worry about him being in the care of someone else without me being around. I don’t have to worry about him possibly not getting the attention I believe he needs. I don’t have to worry about someone mistreating him and me not being there to protect him. I don’t have to worry about the fact that he isn’t able to stand up for or fend for himself just yet, and that if something is wrong, he won’t be able to communicate it with me. I get to monitor what my child is exposed to and don’t have to worry about him being in situations he shouldn’t be in.

I can go on and on about the worries that being a SAHM eases, but essentially, I believe that my child is safer and more secure in my consistent care.

4. It works for my family

Staying home was the best decision for my family. It may not be that way for everyone, but after having conversations with my husband, we determined that we wanted our son to at least have one of his parents consistently around him every day.

My husband works long hours, so that’s one parent our son already misses out on ample quality time with.

Related: At first, I was embarrassed to call myself a SAHM

5. I enjoy tending to my home

I love having the time to clean around the house, make sure things are in order and make our house feel like a home. Though not everyday is a perfect scenario of me having clothes washed and folded and put away, having the ability to be the primary homemaker is still something I enjoy. 

I look forward to planning out dinner for the week, grocery shopping to get what we need and trying new meals to cook. In a way, these mindless tasks bring me a sense of relief—and accomplishment when I feel like I’ve gotten a lot done.

6. It allows me to provide a strong and consistent foundation for my son

My son gets daily access to me and we have a chance to build in a lot of routines. Because of this, I don’t have to worry about inconsistent rules or broken structures. I don’t have to think about reteaching him how to behave within our home after he learned something different elsewhere. And this makes raising him with certain qualities and traits much easier.

7. I have time to set up my own schedule/routine

A huge perk of staying home is being able to make more time for things I enjoy—such as reading a book when my kid is napping, or getting out and going for a walk when the weather is nice. I don’t have to worry about waiting until I get home from work and potentially missing out on all the opportunities to do these sorts of things during the day.

8. It’s easier to prioritize my family

Because I am a SAHM, prioritizing my family isn’t much of a struggle for me. This allows us to spend more quality time together and have a life that is not always centered around work.

Related: What I wish I knew about being a stay at home mom

As I previously stated, I know that not every mother wants to be a stay-at-home mom. Some don’t enjoy it as much as I do. And many women don’t even have the opportunity to make that decision. But I am thankful for this time in which I’ve been granted to claim the homefront and be hands-on with my child during these monumental growing years of his life.

It is no easy feat—but I am up for every bit of challenge that it brings.