One Parent Should Be At Home While Their Child is a Teenager

I love the articles about stay-at-home mothers who plan to go back to work when the kids are old enough to go to school. These mothers naively believe they have given their kids wonderful grounding. They have given them a moral compass that will overcome any temptation to turn into kids being bad. I do believe that kids benefit greatly when a mother is able to stay home. However, I think if there is choice, it is better for the mother to work when the kids are little, and then stay home when the kids become teenagers. This article will provide reasons why working couples should consider having a parent stay home during the teen years.

Parents do not want the guilt of dumping children into daycare. They do not want the child to be a latchkey kid. However, in daycare, the kids get supervision, a snack, a chance to play with other kids, and some exercise. As a latchkey kid, a youngster (pre-teen) tends to follow instructions and stay home. The child watches television or plays video games, does his homework, and generally reads any notes left for him. Check-in phone calls reassure the parent that all is well, and with the microwave, kids can have a snack without burning down the house. Thus, working while a child is still in grade school is a scheduling juggle act, but does not lead to the downfall of civilization.

Now we discuss the precious problem teenager years. I contend that it is far better for a parent to leave the work world and stay home to guard the fortress. Folks, with young kids, who read this, will shake their heads and say, "Oh, these people just had no control. This won't happen with my kids." And I answer, "Yeah, right. Your kids will be the worst."