Today over half of all mother’s choose to stay at home with their kids.http://www.babycenter.com/0_stay-at-home-parents-overview_5959.bc As of 2006, stay at home moms number over 5.6 million and this number continues to climb.http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/009747.html

Contrary to popular belief, there is more to becoming one of these millions than simply staying at home rather than going to work. Becoming a stay at home mother affects a long list of aspects in a family’s life from finances to relationships all of which need to be carefully considered before the staying at home begins for the mom. Being a stay at home mom should be thought of not as no longer working, but as a career change. Staying at home with the kids is not for everyone, and does not work realistically for all families.

This simple step by step guide on how to be a stay at home mom will:

1. Explain the disadvantages and advantages to becoming a stay at home mom to help you decide if it is something you wish to do.
2. Instruct you how to make the necessary preparations to become a stay at home mom once you’ve made that decision.
3. Offer advice on staying sane as a stay at home mom.

Naturally, the first step in being a stay at home mom is to choose to be one. Childcare situations should be carefully discussed with the whole family ideally before the child is born. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of being a stay at home mom to help you decide.

Advantages of Being a Stay at Home Mom

1. You don’t have to pay someone else to care for your children.
2. As you are the one providing the care, you know your children are being well cared for and raised how you want them to be.
3. You don’t miss any childhood moments and get to spend plenty of time with your kids.
4. You have more time to maintain your home. (Hypothetically)

Disadvantages of Being a Stay at Home Mom

1. You have to quit your away from home job, which also means the loss of this income.
2. Many mother’s find becoming a stay at home mom a bit alienating and lacking in social and adult interaction. It can sometimes make a woman feel trapped or as if she has lost her identity and independence.
3. The daily life can seem boring and monotonous.
4. It can cause relationship tension as one spouse often feels the other has more freedom than the other or that one is doing all the work in the family.

Not all of the above in either section will apply to each and every family, and some families may have more to add to these lists. Keep in mind that this decision is a personal one that you and your spouse should make together. This section is simply meant to give you a rough idea and lead your conversation in the right direction. http://www.babycenter.com/0_staying-at-home-pros-and-cons_6025.bc?page=1

One of the most important things about becoming a stay at home mom is to rework your budget. Having children affects a budget to begin with, even more so if previously both adults were working and contributing income wise.http://www.babycenter.com/0_staying-at-home-can-you-afford-it_6026.bc

You can learn more about making a budget in this guide on how to make a budget.You should have your budget prepared before you have your baby and quit your job.

Another large aspect of becoming a stay at home mom is relationship dynamics. Before the baby is born, you may want to have a talk with your significant other about what is expected of you and him. This large of a change in your daily lives can create a great deal of stress on a couple. It is best to have a clear idea of what you both do, or don’t have in mind. Work out how things around the house will be done, how you both will still get time to yourselves and together, how you will achieve your goals. Communication is especially important at stages like these.

The final step to become a stay at home mom of course is to put in a notice at work and begin staying at home.

The final step in being a stay at home mom however is to stay sane and raise your kids in the process. As far as raising the kids, here is a guide on how to parent to offer a wealth of helpful information from feeding to discipline.

To help keep from going nuts being a stay at home mom be sure you stay engaged. Don’t let your life become nothing but housework and kids. Be sure you keep time to yourself and stay active. Being a stay at home mom doesn’t mean you have to stay at home, get out, and do things with and without your kids as often as possible.

Being a stay at home mom also doesn’t mean you can’t work and earn money. Today, largely in credit to the internet there are a plethora of ways to work from home. You can learn more on how to work from home by clicking the phrase in this sentence.

Lastly be sure to keep open with your partner. Don’t be afraid to vent to them and communicate your joys, fears, disappointments, and achievements. You made your child/ren together, just because you’ve chosen to be a stay at home mom, does not mean you are alone.