Should I quit my job to be a stay-at-home parent?
The decision requires trading the extreme stress of juggling work and unreliable childcare for the loss of financial independence. While staying home resolves the daily logistical nightmare for the children, it forces parents to give up their own income, career pride, and straightforward health insurance options.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- This comes up 16.6× more often in r/Parenting than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1switching to part-time work to maintain some income and mental stimulationDid this help you?
- 2implementing strict time management systems at home to preserve time for hobbies and self-careDid this help you?
- 3taking a child to workDid this help you?
- 4using maternity leave as temporary time to figure out a planDid this help you?
- 5applying for dependent care assistance or financial aidDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Is it even worth all the extra stress and balancing acts that it takes to be a working mom, just for flexible spending and a vacation here and there?”source ↗
“In my situation (which sounds a lot like yours), it was not worth it for me to keep my job. I was very proud of the work I did and was very good at my job, but I knew I couldn't contribute at the level I would expect from myself if I was also a SAHM.”source ↗
“Yes and no. It was the best decision for my kids, the worst for me”source ↗
“As a stay at home mom with no income of my own, I’d say keep the job if it’s not too stressful on you. There’s something about being able to make your own money, and just having something for yourself.”source ↗
“I've been struggling to figure out our next move. I was taking the 3 year old to work with me while my wife was pregnant because we didnt/couldnt find a last second babysitter, some needed a 2 month advance!”source ↗
“Would it be better for me to go part time and take care of our kids or could she make it as a stay at home mom?”source ↗
“I'm so lost on our insurance options also if she has to stay home, what's are options? Could I even apply for help as the only worker?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4Should I resign or go back early from maternity leave?
- 6When is it time to go all in on a business?
- 3Can I afford to take unpaid maternity leave?
- 12Handling childcare and bedtime routines completely alone while working
- 3Is moving back in with parents worth the financial savings?
- 3How to survive a mid-year maternity leave teaching position