After being a stay-at-home mom for more than a year, I've come to realize that it's the most difficult feat I've ever accomplished in my life, yet it's also the most unappreciated one. When I'm talking about lack of appreciation, it also includes lack of self-appreciation about what I'm doing every day. In fact, I have to remind myself that my time, services, and presence at home are all worth it.

But why? Why do stay-at-home moms feel like this? Why do we feel like we have to prove our worth not only to others but also to ourselves?

The answer to this question has bothered me all the time, and I know society and its perception of what an accomplished and well-doing woman has got to do a lot with it.

Stay at Home Mom - A Profession

Taking care of home and people in it can always bring great joy as long as there is mutual respect between everyone in the family. When you are someone who has the same routine almost every day and it all revolves around serving others without gaining any monetary benefits, you sure can have days questioning the value of what you are doing. And that's alright.

People unfortunately value things that come with a price slip. And being a stay-at-home mom is a profession that doesn't generate income but saves it.

But how many of you think like this? A large part of society assumes a woman who is a stay-at-home mom to be someone lacking any major skills. It is usually considered an easier and less challenging path compared to surviving a career rat race.

Many don't realize that being a stay-at-home mom requires one to have a very strong personality, juggling innumerable tasks, such as being a financial planner and a great leader to the children, guiding them emotionally and intellectually while also feeling extremely burned out.

Women are getting shamed for choosing to be stay-at-home mothers in the name of feminism. They are mocked for following the 50s lifestyle! But feminism is about having the freedom to choose the life you want to live. Women have fought for decades to have choices, yet the fight is never-ending.

You can find numerous videos, posts, and Instagram reels advocating the importance and sacrifice of a stay-at-home mom, yet you can observe that people don't really give this profession its due. In fact, it has to be labeled as a 'profession' to absolve the unnecessary guilt of missing out on a career, which many of us feel.

Working Dad vs Stay at Home Mom

A dad who provides and takes care of his family is a person worth cherishing. But there are many instances of debate on who does more. The working dad or the stay-at-home mom? It is very unfortunate that many couples confess to hogging this question at least once in their lifetime of quarrels. The fact remains that a happy family is a product of good teamwork. Everyone should do their best for the betterment of their family, and it takes a lot of compassion and understanding between spouses to make it work.

But where does the idea of such a question come from? When the core value of a good family should be based on love and support, sadly such ego clashes are very common. If your partner doesn't appreciate and value what you do, be it prioritizing the career or choosing to stay at home, eventually their negativity can rub off on your personality.

Stay-at-home moms who typically depend on their husbands for every financial need are easy targets for financial abuse. In fact, this is one of the biggest risks of being a stay-at-home mom! It's safe to say that being a stay-at-home mom can be worth it if your partner is supportive, transparent, and trustworthy.

As a working dad, it is your responsibility to understand the value of your wife's work and never abuse her financially. Many working dads are infamous for citing excuses of exhaustion after working hours to avoid giving a helping hand.

But a mother never rests! From daily physical exhaustion to carrying loads of mental baggage, an average stay-at-home mom is very burned out. Working dads should realize this and do the bare minimum of stepping into the role of helping their wives.

Should you be a stay-at-home mom?

Every woman is different, so is her pregnancy and motherhood journey. The changes that come along with being a mother can be very overwhelming, and every new mother deserves the ultimate support from their spouse and other loved ones. When deciding between staying at home with the baby or going back to work, many moms are challenged with guilt and uncertainty about their future.

If you are a new mom, then take a moment to let it all sink in! The changes, the giggles that bring happiness, your new self, everything. When you are not exhausted and have a clarity of mind, ask yourself what you really want to do. Do you want to stay at home, or do you want to go back to work? Consider only your happiness and the welfare of your child while deciding, and take your time to decide.

Never let the societal pressure or guilt tripping influence what you decide. A baby needs its mother, but also a happy one! With time, every mom will eventually figure out what works best for their family.

A Profession Of Love and Service

If you decide to be a stay-at-home mom, then congratulations! You are in for a great journey. For an outsider, what you do might look boring and mundane. But the joy you will share with your child, watching them grow, learn, and cuddling with them for the warmest sleep at midday, is something that you can never describe.

Whenever you question yourself, are you doing enough? Remind yourself that the best of the things in this world are felt and not counted!

Feelings of burnout and lack of self-care are very common for stay-at-home moms. But some changes in lifestyle and a good routine can fix it up.

Being a stay-at-home parent is not going to be an easy job! But it will surely fill your heart with so much gratitude for having a family to love and care about. Not all your day will be perfect, and that's all right! You do not have to do it all, and you need all the help and support you deserve.

By the end of the day, some of those minutes that you get for yourself, fill them with love and care for yourself. You need it more than anybody else.