2 / 9How would I feel if I became a stay-at-home mum?
There are many women who are content as a full-time parent. Yet that doesn’t mean you will feel the same way.
Try to imagine what life would be like – you would have all day with your baby (which probably seems delightful), but it could be endlessly demanding on you physically and emotionally.
If you feel a warm glow inside, then it might be right for you, says child psychologist Dr Richard C. Woolfson.
3 / 9Will I miss the companionship of work colleagues?
If you enjoy the hustle and bustle of an office or workplace environment, you could feel lonely and isolated when it’s just you and your baby together all day. You could start resenting your little one.
You won’t be able to feel the satisfaction or intellectual stimulation that your job gives you. Ask yourself if you are prepared to give that up.
4 / 9Do I have friends who are also stay-at-home mums?
Having a large circle of friends who also have babies the same age as yours provides social support, and gives you a chance to share worries, swop stories and learn from one another. These friendships can enhance the parenting experience for you.
The challenges of managing a daily schedule of feeding, changing, bathing and other tasks can tax the patience and sap the strength of any parent. Having a routine will help you cope throughout the day.
Simply being at home with your child isn’t enough to stimulate him – it depends on how you use that time together. Some parents are confident that they can provide enough activities for their children, while others prefer to sign them up for enrichment classes.
Staying at home to bring up Baby doesn’t remove all responsibility from your husband – he still has to play his part. Being a full-time mum is much more rewarding when your spouse remains involved with his kid even though he is away during the day.
8 / 9Do we need two incomes to balance our family finances?
If you need two salaries to cover the cost of the mortgage, utilities, food, and so on, you may not be able to become a stay-at-home mum, even if you wanted to be one. Assess your budget carefully.
9 / 9Can I return to my job when my child goes to school?
At some point, most stay-at-home mums will decide to return to work, usually when their kid attends preschool or school. Some careers are easier to return to than others.
Should you give up your full-time career to stay at home with your baby? Before you make this important decision, ask yourself these questions first.
How would I feel if I became a stay-at-home mum?
There are many women who are content as a full-time parent. Yet that doesn’t mean you will feel the same way.
Try to imagine what life would be like – you would have all day with your baby (which probably seems delightful), but it could be endlessly demanding on you physically and emotionally.
If you feel a warm glow inside, then it might be right for you, says child psychologist Dr Richard C. Woolfson.
(Also read: Coping with lack of sleep after your baby arrives)
Will I miss the companionship of work colleagues?
If you enjoy the hustle and bustle of an office or workplace environment, you could feel lonely and isolated when it’s just you and your baby together all day. You could start resenting your little one.
You won’t be able to feel the satisfaction or intellectual stimulation that your job gives you. Ask yourself if you are prepared to give that up.
(Also read: 10 things every new mum should remember)
Do I have friends who are also stay-at-home mums?
Having a large circle of friends who also have babies the same age as yours provides social support, and gives you a chance to share worries, swop stories and learn from one another. These friendships can enhance the parenting experience for you.
(Also read: Breastfeeding true story: how one mum increased her milk supply)
Do I have good organisational skills?
The challenges of managing a daily schedule of feeding, changing, bathing and other tasks can tax the patience and sap the strength of any parent. Having a routine will help you cope throughout the day.
(Also read: Why it’s so important for every mum to have me-time)
Can I provide enough stimulation for Baby?
Simply being at home with your child isn’t enough to stimulate him – it depends on how you use that time together. Some parents are confident that they can provide enough activities for their children, while others prefer to sign them up for enrichment classes.
(Also read: How to choose enrichment classes for babies and toddlers)
Is my husband supportive?
Staying at home to bring up Baby doesn’t remove all responsibility from your husband – he still has to play his part. Being a full-time mum is much more rewarding when your spouse remains involved with his kid even though he is away during the day.
(Also read: How to get your husband be more involved with baby)
Do we need two incomes to balance our family finances?
If you need two salaries to cover the cost of the mortgage, utilities, food, and so on, you may not be able to become a stay-at-home mum, even if you wanted to be one. Assess your budget carefully.
Can I return to my job when my child goes to school?
At some point, most stay-at-home mums will decide to return to work, usually when their kid attends preschool or school. Some careers are easier to return to than others.
(Photos: 123RF.com)
(Also read: Five kids and a home business: How this Singapore mumpreneur finds work-life balance)
