5 Ways Stay-At-Home Moms Contribute Financially

Stay-at-home moms are often perceived as not contributing financially to their families. However, the truth is, they make a significant financial contribution in a number of ways. We will get into those in just a moment. First, let me tell you a story.

In December 2021, I had my second child. I retired from my corporate job March 2022. We had considered the option of me staying at home for a while, but when I became pregnant with our third a few months later (oops!), the decision was solidified — I would retire from my job and be a stay at home mom. After all, two kids in daycare? Or, hire a nanny? Hah! It simply didn’t make financial sense, nor did I want my children raised by anyone else. We had a negative experience at daycare with our first. Having the opportunity to spend every day, all day, with my children was something I was looking forward to.

But, then something unexpected happened. The idea that I wasn’t contributing financially really began to take a toll on my mental health. When you spend 15 years bringing in the dough, then that dough just stops — its a bit of a gut-punch. Suddenly, I felt…insignificant somehow. I didn’t feel enough. Now, we know this certainly isn’t the case. After all, I’m taking care of a home, a husband, and three kids. But, that mindset that I held that I wasn’t contributing financially was nagging at…