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May 06, 2005
What's a Mother's Work Worth?
This Sunday, kids across the country will honor their moms on Mother's Day. My brother and I plan on the old brunch-at-a-nice-hotel routine. We all know about the many good things moms do for their kids. But this Salary.com survey illustrates what it's all worth in real dollars.
The survey of 5.4 million stay-at-home moms showed that assuming a 100-hour workweek (40 hours of regular work, 60 hours of overtime), they would earn an average of $131,471 annually if they were paid for what they do. This salary was calculated based on job titles the moms came up with, which included day care center teacher, van driver, housekeeper and cook.
Bill Coleman of Salary.com said in the article, "The importance of this calculation or this estimate is just calling attention to the fact that being a stay-at-home mom is not a cop out, it's not the woman's way out of the workforce and it's not a job of no value. There is a lot of value there, and some would say it's even priceless."
I wholeheartedly agree. Last Saturday night, my husband and I visited friends who have a 2-year-old. They spent our entire dinner chasing and watching this inquisitive little tyke, and when I talked to the wife, a stay-at-home mom, she told me she falls into bed dead tired at the end of the day. Sure enough, I was exhausted just watching her. "But we have so much fun all day," she said. And my own mom stayed home with my brother and me for nine years, with the rationale that you don't get those years back. She then worked mother's hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. so she could be home when we came home from school.
My parents went without a lot of things so my mom could be home with us. Not everyone can make such sacrifices, and some people aren't willing to. And whether it's possible or not, getting off the career track to raise your kids for a few years isn't right for everyone. But let's remember that stay-at-home moms have an important job -- the job of raising the future.
Are you agonizing over the decision whether to stay home or keep working? This article will help you weigh the pros and cons. And if you want to reenter the workforce after a hiatus raising your kids, this article will give you advice on how to do it.
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Posted by Christine on May 6, 2005 at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
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I have found, talking to my own employees and to working wives--including my own--that the issue of valuation is not just financial but psychological. Fathers who stay home with their children instead of working outside the home are still so rare as to be treasured, where women are simply expected to sign on for that role. For women who exclusively work at home, there's another issue--isolation. Certainly there are other mothers they interact with at play group or something, but oftentimes, the only adult contact they get is shopping at the grocery store. Fathers who work outside the home to support the family often complain that the financial burden of such support is all on them, which leads to subtle undercores of resentment. The wife may be dying to return to the workplace, but feels trapped with a child who's not yet of school age. There is a balance to be had. My mother worked when I was a boy out of necessity. We had her exclusively on weekends, but work nights, like school nights, were mostly about chores and homework and keeping things together. It made me value what a mother does.
Nathan Aloni, CETV
Posted by: nathan aloni | May 9, 2005 9:11:22 AM
Hello, my name is Maria and I'm in the workforce and want to be a stay at home mom. I have a 2 year old and an 11 year old son and it is very hard work to be at a job 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 5 days a week and come home and take care of the kids. My body is tired there are days I can hardly make it through the day. Do you have any suggestions on how I can be home and make money also?Like they say I want to take it to the house!!!
Posted by: MARIA DECUIR | May 27, 2005 8:52:49 AM
Maria, I know exactly how you feel! I just wanted to share with you how I retired from my job to stay home with my kids. I was working full time as an engineer. I have two boys, ages 7 and 4. When my oldest son was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, I decided to become a stay at home mom. To see the business that helped me do this, visit http://www.xk4372.com. Watkins has been a life-saver for me and my family. This is a legitimate business with real products that people need and use every day! I'm very proud of my Watkins business, and I hope you'll take a look. If I can help in any way, just let me know. Thanks! :)
Laura :)
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Posted by: Laura Wade | May 27, 2005 10:51:23 AM
I have to say as a young child growing up my mom stayed at home with me during the day and worked 11pm - 7am so she could still be in the work force.But it wouldnt stop there she would come home just in time to see me off to school, and she always smiled and never complained. How she did it for so many years I'll never really know, but I do know because of her I know the value of a truely dedicated, loving,selfless mother.
I'm glad someone put the effort into giving the stay at homes and working mothers the credit they deserve.
Posted by: Cathie | May 29, 2005 12:10:04 AM
I'm a working mom who doesn't have the option to stay home with my kids as I make 50% of our household income. In an attempt to survive the overwhelming load, I proposed telecommuting and condensed work weeks to my company - unsuccessfully. The official policy does not allow these benefits - though some employees are enjoying these benefits because their bosses choose to ignore the official policy. My boss follows the rules, so I don't get these benefits while the person sitting right next to me telecommutes three days every week. Like Maria, I am tired. I feel my entire life is spent either at work or cleaning my house and running personal errands. I have to neglect the house or not handle personal matters to carve out time to spend with my kids - causing a heavier load, messy house and more stress. I'm also conflicted in that I took a step back in my career a few years ago to better manage the work/life balance, however this proved to be the wrong approach. The quantity of work stayed the same, while the quality suffered and I'm no longer in a management position with influence over policy (or at my current company apparently having the power to simply ignore policy.) I'm not sure where to turn or how to handle this situation. I'm tired, don't feel well most of the time, overwhelmed, under-challenged at work which makes having to work even more painful and frustrating. Is there no answer for working moms, especially those who don't have the option to not work? Any advice you can offer is welcomed.
Posted by: Sheri Sipsis | Sep 20, 2005 2:22:28 PM
I run my business from home. My significant other are I both have great incomes, but I find I need to work - for me. Running my own business gives me flexibility though those in a job may not have. Plus, I enjoy the time I do spend with my kids much more when I have a little something of my own outside of them. But kudos to those who stay at home full time. I'm not downing them at all - I actually think they are to be praised... the patience it takes is brutal at times.
Posted by: Med Mom | Mar 31, 2006 9:26:57 PM
This survey is a bunch of crap. What about working mothers? I guess we don't rate.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 4, 2006 5:45:54 PM
I just wanted to give my opinion as I have been on both sides of the fence. When my two youngest were born I had no choice but to put them in Daycare at 6 weeks old and only see them about 5 waking hours per day. When my second son was about 8 weeks old he contracted phnemonia from the daycare and was immediatly admitted to the hospital. After two weeks in the hospital the doctors came to me and told me that he probably wasn't going to make it. I talked to my boss and explained that I knew that I didn't have any more leave, sick time or any other form of time off but I couldn't come to work...he proceeded to tell me that if I didn't come I was fired. So I had to leave my dying son for 8 hours to go to work and wonder if he would still be there when I got back. During that time I made a decision to never let anyone or any job control my life and my future as he did. For years I tried different work from home opportunities and never found anything that worked for me until 1 1/2 years ago and my life has never been better. I know how this opportunity has changed my life and I would love to tell everyone about it. Please email me or visit my website to learn more www.saralusk.com If you are even slightly interested in a work from home opportunity let's talk...I am a 26 year old mother of 3 and if this can work for me I know it can work for anyone! I now am an Independent Sales Director and love having new people join my team so we can work together to acheive our goals!!! I can't wait to talk to you all!!!
Posted by: Sara | Oct 19, 2006 1:11:41 PM
I have an idea. How about start living within your means. If you want to live at home, decrease your outflow 50% if that is what you make. I live comfortably with my wife (who left a very well paying job to be an at home mom) and two girls nicely. But you do make financial sacrifices. I have little empathy for people who desire something yet are not willing to make the sacrifice. It is possible for you to be an at home mom, I believe that for anyone.
Posted by: brad | May 13, 2007 12:03:57 AM
Brad - You really have no right to make comments like that without understanding the circumstances of others. Just to let you know, my husband and I live well below our means and are extremely financially responsible. Trust me, we don't live the "high life". My income adds tremendous value, including allowing us to live in the best school district in the state, save for our children's college and future, not go into debt and save for our retirement so that our kids aren't burdened with supporting us when they are trying to support their families. Furthermore, I have been a SUCCESSFUL advocate for work/life balance in my company by working with other professional mothers to improve our policies. During the same time, I have added significant value to our company by being a productive and effective professional, who this year won the company's top performance award for Q1. So, Brad, I am adding tremendous value to my children, family, company and even myself by promoting my own self-development and professional achievements. And anyone will tell you that I am a nuturing, loving mom who is deeply involved in her childrens' life and welfare. Wow, maybe WORKING MOMS DO RATE - Jennifer, keep the faith!
Posted by: Sheri Sipsis | Nov 13, 2007 11:06:16 AM
Work From Home moms have always been undervalued. They put in soooo much work, but we dont really recognize it or reward it. Fathers and children everywhere need to be more appreciative for the moms who do so much.
Ian Bakewell
http://www.workfromhometipster.com
Posted by: Ian Bakewell the work from home tipster | Dec 1, 2007 2:31:39 PM
Raising kids is work. Who says it isnt? Just cause we dont get paid! Usually those who make those comments are those who never tried it, but wished they did! Anyone who stays home to raise their kids, knows its work and a challange.
The challenge is that every child is different, and every day is different for the child and you dont know what to do because they dont come with an owners manual.
Going to work is easy, you already know what to expect.
My opinion.....
Posted by: Due Bei Bambini | Apr 16, 2008 7:55:00 PM
I just read this post (3 years later) and I feel so great because I lose my job and I have to stay at home, and when this happens a woman raised for work as a professional feels depressed.
But this posts makes me feel like my work here at home worths something. Thanks!
Posted by: SingleDaisyGirl (emeve) | May 7, 2008 12:19:24 PM
