Leaving Your Full Time Job to Be a Full Time Mom

What You Should Know

Moms everywhere have done it. Given up their job or career to devote all of their time and focus to their children. Some Dads have even done it. In this day and age of most families needing two full time incomes to live with any kind of financial wiggle room, one parent being able to leave work to stay home full time with the children can be viewed as both a luxury and a sacrifice. And it is both a luxury and a sacrifice. If you are considering leaving your full time employment to devote more time to your home and children, there are some insights from this Mom who has done it, that you may want to think about. If you have already made the decision and will be delving into the world of stay-at-home-parents soon, don't reconsider, just read on for some helpful hints concerning what changes you can expect. Some may be things you have already considered extensively, but other aspects of this life change are difficult to truly understand until you have experienced them.

THE OBVIOUS

Unless you've won the lottery, or your spouse is taking on a second job to replace the one you are leaving, chances are, you will be working with less income when you leave your position of employment. Hopefully, you have considered this thoroughly. It isn't a reason to not stay home with your children. However, it really is important that you make a very close determination as to what your remaining income will be, and work up a few mock budgets with it. You don't want to be any less prepared for this aspect of your life altering decision to be a full time stay-at-home-parent. You have probably already accepted the fact that you will have to make certain financial sacrifices. Perhaps you and your spouse will be sharing a vehicle, or moving into a smaller home. Whatever you have decided and are expecting, put it all down on paper so that you can identify and resolve any of the financial considerations you were not expecting.

THE SEMI-OBVIOUS