The hardest and most rewarding job in the world is that of a stay-at-home mother. She wears many hats and none of them come with recognition or benefits. This begs the question: What is a stay-at-home mom worth in today’s market?
Staying at home and being a constant presence in the lives of the kids means more than money. The family finances usually take a hit when a woman leaves the workforce to pursue this career. If the family can make it on one income even with a tight budget, then the benefits will outweigh the losses.
The Department of Labor doesn’t keep track of stay-at-home moms as a job because there is no pay. We, however, can break down the many jobs that a stay-at-home mother performs into individual professions. Moms are cooks, nursemaids, teachers, playmates, schedulers, and counselors.
Cooks may make around $25,000 to $30,000 per year depending on the type of cooking they are doing. A mother provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week including between meal snacks. She also caters for birthday parties and the groups of friends that come over after school.
Nursemaids can make upwards of $30,000 to $40,000 providing services for those who are ill. Kids get sick and usually not at the same time. But, once one gets a cold, flu, or chicken pox, they all will soon have it. In the middle of the night when they cry, you are the soother.
When kids are bored, you are the entertainment coordinator. These people make $30,000 to $40,000 a year. Moms schedule play dates with friends, trips to the park, and time to give piggy back rides.
Moms are the most valuable teachers around. Before school even starts, we teach our children to speak, identify shapes, colors, and various foods. We guide them in the way of proper etiquette at the dinner table and social interaction. Discipline comes along with the territory when they misbehave. We demonstrate how to comb hair, brush teeth, and use the bathroom. This job could make $40,000 to $50,000 a year.
With these being the basic duties not counting the other things moms do, the salary is looking pretty good. A mom with at least two children at home would stand to be worth from $135,000 to $170,000. That would put her on the same level as school superintendents or bank presidents.
What is a mom worth? The amount is inestimable considering what she is willing to sacrifice for her children’s well being. Just knowing how valuable she is leads to a greater appreciation of all she does.
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