Suzanne's Stay-At-Home Parenting Website

My ideal family situation is to be able to stay home to care for and educate my children. I would love to be able to work at home (i.e. make money) while still being available for my children. I am still looking at the options of being able to do this, especially since my husband is disabled from work and has health problems.

I believe that children should be with the parents unless, of course, there is abuse, neglect, etc. In our society, at least one parent has to work outside of the home unless they have their own business at home or are very well off financially. Whether it is mother or father, one parent should stay home to raise the children. That's what stay-at-home parenting is all about.

Sometimes sacrifices need to be made in order for one parent to stay home. Changes in lifestyle and finances are inevitable, especially if you are used to living on two incomes. But the changes and adjustments are worth it for the sake of the children. After all, having children is supposed to change your life. They are supposed to be the top priority. It doesn't make sense to turn that important responsibility over to strangers to care for and raise your children.

Many stay-at-home parents continue and remain at home long after their children reach school age. They are available to be there to send their children off to school, without having to worry and rush to get themselves ready for work too. They are available to care for their children when they are sick, be there when they arrive home and be more involved with their child's extracurricular activities. Many also chose to homeschool their children and make the most of their days together. I think it is extremely important for one parent to be home not only for the children but also to tend to the house and issues surrounding running a household, which many people underestimate. A stay-at-home parent is truly a jack-of-all-trades! Unfortunately, our society does not value or appreciated this important position and the two-income family is becoming more and more of the norm.

I think it is detrimental and harmful to children, families and society to push for two-income families. Some families have little choice but to have both parents work. The cost of food, clothing, housing - - virtually everything is on the rise yet incomes are still very low. The minimum wage is barely over $5.00 per hour. How is anyone supposed to live on that?!  Nevermind, trying to raise a family!  We need a serious adjustment in our society about the roles of parents and the value of family.