According to Scientific Research, Being a Stay-At-Home Mom is Considered the Most Challenging Job

Being a parent is hard work, but being a stay-at-home mom is often considered the most demanding job of all. For these moms, the responsibility of caring for their children falls solely on them without any reprieve, from feeding and bathing to cleaning and soothing. Despite the love and fulfillment that comes with staying home with your child, it’s a stressful job that demands constant attention and doesn’t allow for breaks.

Unfortunately, some people falsely assume that staying home with children is an easy job, but studies show that being a stay-at-home mom is one of the most challenging jobs out there. Moms who stay home to take care of their kids don’t get a break from the emotional, mental, and physical energy that it requires.

Here are 10 reasons why being a stay-at-home mom is one of the most challenging jobs out there.

A recent study indicates that stay-at-home parents experience more stress than working parents. The study involved 1,500 parents from various fields and showed that even working parents stopped judging stay-at-home parents after having a child themselves. Over half of the participants said that having a baby was challenging, despite having support. Stay-at-home moms bear the majority of child-rearing responsibilities, which can be tough even though it’s a blessing to have that time with their child.

1. Stay-at-home moms do not receive a salary or health benefits.

Stay-at-home moms work around the clock, but they don’t receive any payment for their efforts. Even parents who work outside the home and dislike their job receive a salary, but stay-at-home moms don’t. They’re constantly working, juggling multiple tasks at once.

2. It’s tough for stay-at-home moms as their hard work often goes unnoticed.

Sometimes, even if parents who stay at home do their very best, nobody might notice how hard they’re working. Even their kids might not realize it, and sometimes even their partner doesn’t notice. They won’t get any special rewards or money for all their efforts like people do in a regular job.

3. They don’t take breaks.

When a parent stays home with their kids, they can’t take breaks whenever they want. They have to do things around the house or make appointments. They do many things at once to finish everything before dinner. Even going to the bathroom isn’t alone time since their kids might follow them or wait outside. They also have to eat lunch while working.

4. Some people think that staying at home is not a real job.

Although we shouldn’t care about what others think, it can be tough. Some people who don’t have kids might not understand that taking care of them at home is a legitimate job. Surprisingly, some working parents also have this belief, which is not helpful for mothers who are juggling everything.

Being a parent is a challenging job, and we should not assume that someone who stays at home is not doing anything. When parents stay at home, they are nurturing their children to become responsible members of society, and this is a critical job that doesn’t allow for mistakes. Nothing is more important than a job that prepares kids to deal with the world around them.

5. The mom who stays at home can’t refuse.

When you have a typical job, you can tell your boss if they ask you to do something that isn’t part of your job. But if you’re a stay-at-home parent, you can’t really say no to any task because you’re the only one who can do it. Even if it’s something unpleasant or difficult, the main caregiver has to handle it.

6. They can’t have a peaceful lunch without interruptions.

Regular jobs must give full-time employees a lunch break by law, but being a mom doesn’t follow the same rules. Often moms have to eat their food standing up in the kitchen and can’t finish it before it gets cold. Kids don’t always understand that their mom needs to eat and won’t interrupt them. Even if you teach them to respect your mealtime, it might not work with all children, especially babies and toddlers.

7. Taking care of children all the time can be tough on mom’s emotions.

Being a stay-at-home mom is different from having a regular boss. While a boss has to follow professional rules and can have a conversation about any issues, moms who stay at home with their children all day have to deal with children who sometimes say or do hurtful things. It can be tough to handle the tantrums and anger without a break.

This can start to wear on a mom’s heart, and studies show that stay-at-home moms often experience depression, sadness, anger, and guilt more often than other moms. Many things contribute to these feelings, not just tantrums. For example, 26% of stay-at-home moms reported feeling sad the previous day, and 50% felt overwhelming stress.

8. They are often lonely and don’t have many people to talk to.

People who work outside of the home might complain about their co-workers, but at least they get to interact with other adults and discuss their interests with people who can understand them. This might not seem like a big deal, but having a chance to be an adult and socialize with others is important for mental health.

Studies show that societal pressure is causing moms to spend too much time with their kids, which can lead to feeling lonely and isolated. Stay-at-home moms often feel guilty when they leave their kids in the evenings or on weekends, but they need time away from their children to interact with other adults. It’s important for moms to have other ways to define themselves besides just being a parent.

9. A mom who stays at home always prioritizes others before herself.

Every parent makes sacrifices, but a stay-at-home mom sacrifices all day long. They focus entirely on their child, putting their needs before their own. Moms plan their mornings to fit their child’s schedules and routines. When a mom stays at home with her kids, if there’s something important she needs to do, she has to find a way to do it while also taking care of her kids. For a lot of stay-at-home moms, this means finding a short amount of time to do those tasks.

10. Moms who stay at home with their children are always being judged.

Moms who stay at home with their kids often feel like everyone’s watching and judging them. If a doctor or an expert questions how they take care of their child, it feels like they’re being evaluated at work. There’s always more than one way to parent, which makes them feel criticized no matter what they do.

And to make things worse, it’s not just about their performance on the job. People judge them on how they raise their child, which can feel really personal. Moms always feel like they’re not doing a good enough job.

There are some good things about being a mom who stays at home.

Being a stay-at-home mom is really tough, but it’s also a good thing. Research says that kids whose parent is at home do better in school, behave well, and feel less stressed. They’re also less likely to be aggressive than kids who go to daycare.