Since the implementation of the two-child policy, more and more families have chosen to have a second child. At the same time, the increased burden of raising children has led many families to decide that the woman should quit her job and become a full-time mother. While this may seem to solve the problem, it has actually created new conflicts. Many full-time mothers feel as if they have lost their value after staying at home for a long time. Their contributions to the family are not recognized, and they are even considered to have done nothing. The long-term imbalance between their efforts and rewards, and the difficulty in realizing and recognizing their self-worth, have caused many full-time mothers great distress.
I. The aspects of stay-at-home mothers that are not easily understood
Firstly , the decision of capable stay-at-home moms to leave the workforce and return to family life is something many people find hard to understand. This is especially true for women who already have promising careers and prospects; they can fully utilize their strengths in the workplace, achieving success and becoming the envy of many. But for their children, they are willing to give all of this up, which is something many find difficult to comprehend.
Secondly , the exhaustion of stay-at-home mothers caring for children is also something that is difficult to understand. "You just stay home and take care of the child, what's so tiring about that?" It's as if the baby will drink milk obediently, call for help when changing diapers, eat quietly without fussing, play quietly, not soil their clothes, and go to sleep on their own. People who haven't raised children simply cannot imagine how hard and difficult it is, and how many unexpected events and setbacks occur from day to night.
Finally , stay-at-home moms not only care for their babies but also handle all the household chores, the hardships of which are often unseen. Many people assume that since they are stay-at-home moms, taking care of the children is their natural duty; after all, they don't work, so they're expected to cook, wash clothes, mop the floor, and do all the housework. Although it's hard work, seeing their babies' happy smiles often makes it all worthwhile. However, even the strongest mothers need care and attention. Unfortunately, many husbands don't understand their wives' hard work. If the baby gets sick, they blame the wife for not taking good care of the baby; if she doesn't do the housework well, they think she can't even do such simple things properly. Many stay-at-home moms silently endure this lack of understanding.
II. How stay-at-home mothers can demonstrate their self-worth
Many people believe that to realize their self-worth, they must be in the workplace. Therefore, some stay-at-home mothers eventually can't stand it, feeling increasingly worn out and even diminished in status, and choose to return to the workforce. However, once back in the workplace, who will care for the children, and whether the children can be properly cared for, becomes a major concern for many mothers. In my opinion, stay-at-home mothers don't necessarily need to be in the workplace to realize their self-worth. By doing the following, they can better navigate the role of "stay-at-home mom" and fully demonstrate their value in the family, their primary focus.
① Be happy being yourself
In reality, many stay-at-home moms care too much about what others think. Others may find it hard to understand why you chose to quit your job and become a stay-at-home mom, but that's their opinion, so why bother caring? For stay-at-home moms to feel self-worth, mindset is crucial. Don't think of staying home with children as a negative approach. Children need parental companionship to grow; grandparents and nannies can't replace that. Therefore, stay-at-home moms should tell themselves that this is an irreplaceable job. This attitude will allow mothers to be happier and fulfill their responsibilities, and children will sense this.
② Have your own private time
Being a full-time mom is arguably an incredibly demanding job, working 24/7 without a paycheck. However, even full-time moms deserve personal time. For example, let the dad spend a few hours with the baby after get off work each day. On weekends, let him experience the responsibilities of a stay-at-home dad while you enjoy time with friends, shopping, or doing other things you like. Relaxing during your personal time will improve your mindset and make you more motivated when you return to your role as a full-time mom. Involving the dad in childcare also deepens his understanding of the job, earning him unprecedented respect for you.
③ Make the home environment more comfortable
Everyone loves a comfortable and tidy home, but after having children, life becomes like a battleground, with things scattered everywhere. No family member is happy to see a messy home environment. Therefore, stay-at-home moms might consider cleaning the house every day to make their home cleaner and more comfortable. This will make their husbands happier when they come home and help them better understand the hardships their wives endure.
④ Learn together with your child
For many stay-at-home moms, educating their children well is a top priority. As babies grow, they need to learn more subjects, such as Chinese, math, and English, as well as extracurricular activities. Parents might consider learning alongside their children. This not only increases the child's interest in learning but also helps parents recall previously learned material, which can be beneficial when tutoring their children later.
Whatever your reasons for ultimately choosing to be a full-time mom, I hope that while you reap the rewards of hard work, you also receive understanding and support from your family, and most importantly, a healthy and growing little angel!
