In In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms, internationally syndicated radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger celebrates these essentially important yet overlooked women. The author of eleven New York Times bestsellers—including Stop Whining, Start Living and The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage—and #1 female radio talk show host in the country, Dr. Laura offers support, guidance, and words of inspiration and wisdom to the more than 6.8 million full-time stay-at-home mothers nationwide.
In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms
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From the Back Cover
They number in the millions and they are incredibly important to families and to our society, yet they are underappreciated, little respected, and even controversial.
Who are they?
They are the stay-at-home moms.
These are women who know in their hearts that staying home to raise their children is the right choice for the whole family. Some do it from the outset of their marriages, while others make the difficult transition from career-driven women to homemakers. Either way, it is a choice that is incredibly rich and rewarding, not to mention challenging.
Now Dr. Laura, building on principles developed during her long career as a licensed marriage and family therapist, provides a wealth of advice and support, as well as compassion and inspiration, to women as they navigate the wonders and struggles of being stay-at-home moms.
Learn how:
- to hold your head high and deal with naysayers;
- to see the benefits of being home not only for your children but also for your marriage;
- to understand the changes you see in yourself;
- to realize that the sacrifices you endure now will make for lasting bonds and a stronger family, in addition to a more cohesive community.
In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms is a special book, a profound and unique understanding of how important it is for mothers to raise their own children.
About the Author
Dr. Laura Schlessinger, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is one of the most popular talk-show hosts in radio history and the only woman to win the prestigious Marconi Award for syndicated radio. She is the author of twelve New York Times bestsellers, writes a daily blog, and is a regular Newsmax columnist. She is heard daily on Sirius/XM Channel 155 live, and her program is streamed and podcast on www.drlaura.com. Dr. Schlessinger has her own YouTube Channel (YouTube.com/drlaura). She is also the skipper and driver of a racing sailboat program that won the 2010 international race from Newport Beach to Cabo San Lucas. She and her husband live in Southern California.
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More About the Author
Dr. Laura Schlessinger received her Ph.D. in physiology from Columbia University and holds a post-doctoral certification from the University of Southern California and licensing in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is the author of nine New York Times bestsellers, including THE PROPER CARE AND FEEDING OF MARRIAGE. Her award-winning radio program is internationally syndicated by her Take On The Day company. It's broadcast every day on more than 250 stations, XM Satellite Radio, and the Armed Forces Network, and is stream-linked and podcast on www.drlaura.com.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
97 of 105 people found the following review helpful
By MomOf3
Format:Hardcover
Well it's been 4 years since I wrote this review, after my DH gave me the book. I'm still being frugal and staying at home, doing many things myself in order to pay for college. I only have a junior in HS at home now but still can't bring myself to reenter the workforce for what my aftertax income will be-it just isn't fair! We are preparing for a job transfer-cleaning out & renovating the house (which I love to do) & is the most effective use of my time right now-no point starting anything now.
Mother's day is around the corner with 2 kids away at college having their finals. I scoured the web without luck, looking for a nice reflection on the rewards of SAHM. I think I will write my kids a letter, thanking them for their success and how great that makes me feel-the most wonderful Mother's day gift of all! My rich reward-to see them mature into adults and accomplish their dreams. I continue to be amazed at my kids accomplishments and it brings me such joy to know I played a big role in that, despite how hard and unfulfilling it was when they were little. Fall is busy watching them compete in football & XC. My son is a year away from graduating w/a 4.0 in EE at the best engineering school in the country, president of his fraternity, captain of football....my daughter runs XC for a top 20 D1 NCAA team...& my HS junior is top notch Ultimate Frisbee & basketball ;) All 3 are very happy-what more could you ask for? Hang in there moms-your fulfillment is yet to come, it does get better. It wasn't easy & I DO have video to prove it ;)
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Ok, I know this is a bit technical but well worth deciphering. I'm glad to see it's risen to front page status, because parents need to make an informed decision. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think.
I am a CPA and have been a SAHM for 18 years. Many are shocked to know that I have skills and chose to stay at home. I have been puzzled for years why more couples haven't figured out how little of the 2nd income they keep, after taxes and day care. I figured it out years ago & like John Galt, checked out. I have talked many couples into having one stay at home, by explaining it from a financial perspective (not to mention all the other reasons, especially that you might as well sign up for a slew of ear infections & tubes in the ears, with an infant daycare.)
It helps to understand how much of the second income you actually keep, on an after-tax basis. When your taxable income rises above $65,000 you are in a 25% FIT (federal income tax) rate. Add 7.5% for FICA and state & local taxes of 5%, leaving you with 62 cents of each additional dollar earned. Daycare can easily run be another 20%, plus the expenses of working outside the home (car, clothes, gas, eating out). So, if the second income causes taxable income to exceed $65,000, you may only be keeping 40 cents of each additional hard earned dollar. Not including the phase-out of the Child Tax Credit as AGI exceeds $110,000.
There is no question that whatever choice a mother makes, it is stressful. I think it's a matter of choice, which stress you choose. My conclusion is this was not a privilege, it was an obligation. It wasn't easier having 3 in less than 4 years. For my sanity, it would have been easier to drop them at daycare, however, I might have been paying to work with 3 in daycare, after taxes.
Sometimes I needed to cling to the things that went well. It's been 20 years now since we made the decision for me to stay at home with the kids. It's hard to tell if you're doing the right thing for years-you don't have an annual review, you don't get a raise when you double or triple your responsibilities. No feedback (but a lot of back talk ;), unfulfilling and very little appreciation for the menial tasks-food prep, laundry, cleaning, shopping (groceries, clothes, etc). Your resume is your kids and you hope you're doing the right thing. It can be very insecure for them and you're doing the best you can, giving them what they need, making them strong, but not enabling, coddling, spoiling...they don't appreciate it now, but will get it later. I didn't have any of the working mom guilt. We supoorted their various interests, to help them figure out where they'll be successful. I am in awe of my kids, brings me to tears how well they're doing. My son graduated Scholar-Athlete and Valedictorian, my daughter won XC state. There were a lot of tough moments for me, working would have been easier and emotionally better for me, since I am so extraverted. But, I have no regrets and I will take full credit for their successes (along with the support of my husband).
I'm alone all day, every day from 7-5. I could easily get a job, but I don't want to miss a minute of the next couple years. I don't think it's worth it to bring home about half a dollar for each dollar earned, if takes any time away from my kids. Especially, if I have to turn around and give it to someone else to do things around the house. I'm focused on getting them into good colleges now. I remodeled our house, alongside my brother & own a 18V Ridgid tool set. I try to figure out and manage things myself around the house. I do enjoy it-painting, yardwork, iPhoto & iMovie, etc. I don't think I'll look back on life and say I wish I'd have worked more.
PS-If you want to read more about the pros of SAHMs, read the chapter-"The Most Important Story You'll Never See on TV", in Bernard Goldberg's "BIAS".
Mother's day is around the corner with 2 kids away at college having their finals. I scoured the web without luck, looking for a nice reflection on the rewards of SAHM. I think I will write my kids a letter, thanking them for their success and how great that makes me feel-the most wonderful Mother's day gift of all! My rich reward-to see them mature into adults and accomplish their dreams. I continue to be amazed at my kids accomplishments and it brings me such joy to know I played a big role in that, despite how hard and unfulfilling it was when they were little. Fall is busy watching them compete in football & XC. My son is a year away from graduating w/a 4.0 in EE at the best engineering school in the country, president of his fraternity, captain of football....my daughter runs XC for a top 20 D1 NCAA team...& my HS junior is top notch Ultimate Frisbee & basketball ;) All 3 are very happy-what more could you ask for? Hang in there moms-your fulfillment is yet to come, it does get better. It wasn't easy & I DO have video to prove it ;)
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Ok, I know this is a bit technical but well worth deciphering. I'm glad to see it's risen to front page status, because parents need to make an informed decision. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think.
I am a CPA and have been a SAHM for 18 years. Many are shocked to know that I have skills and chose to stay at home. I have been puzzled for years why more couples haven't figured out how little of the 2nd income they keep, after taxes and day care. I figured it out years ago & like John Galt, checked out. I have talked many couples into having one stay at home, by explaining it from a financial perspective (not to mention all the other reasons, especially that you might as well sign up for a slew of ear infections & tubes in the ears, with an infant daycare.)
It helps to understand how much of the second income you actually keep, on an after-tax basis. When your taxable income rises above $65,000 you are in a 25% FIT (federal income tax) rate. Add 7.5% for FICA and state & local taxes of 5%, leaving you with 62 cents of each additional dollar earned. Daycare can easily run be another 20%, plus the expenses of working outside the home (car, clothes, gas, eating out). So, if the second income causes taxable income to exceed $65,000, you may only be keeping 40 cents of each additional hard earned dollar. Not including the phase-out of the Child Tax Credit as AGI exceeds $110,000.
There is no question that whatever choice a mother makes, it is stressful. I think it's a matter of choice, which stress you choose. My conclusion is this was not a privilege, it was an obligation. It wasn't easier having 3 in less than 4 years. For my sanity, it would have been easier to drop them at daycare, however, I might have been paying to work with 3 in daycare, after taxes.
Sometimes I needed to cling to the things that went well. It's been 20 years now since we made the decision for me to stay at home with the kids. It's hard to tell if you're doing the right thing for years-you don't have an annual review, you don't get a raise when you double or triple your responsibilities. No feedback (but a lot of back talk ;), unfulfilling and very little appreciation for the menial tasks-food prep, laundry, cleaning, shopping (groceries, clothes, etc). Your resume is your kids and you hope you're doing the right thing. It can be very insecure for them and you're doing the best you can, giving them what they need, making them strong, but not enabling, coddling, spoiling...they don't appreciate it now, but will get it later. I didn't have any of the working mom guilt. We supoorted their various interests, to help them figure out where they'll be successful. I am in awe of my kids, brings me to tears how well they're doing. My son graduated Scholar-Athlete and Valedictorian, my daughter won XC state. There were a lot of tough moments for me, working would have been easier and emotionally better for me, since I am so extraverted. But, I have no regrets and I will take full credit for their successes (along with the support of my husband).
I'm alone all day, every day from 7-5. I could easily get a job, but I don't want to miss a minute of the next couple years. I don't think it's worth it to bring home about half a dollar for each dollar earned, if takes any time away from my kids. Especially, if I have to turn around and give it to someone else to do things around the house. I'm focused on getting them into good colleges now. I remodeled our house, alongside my brother & own a 18V Ridgid tool set. I try to figure out and manage things myself around the house. I do enjoy it-painting, yardwork, iPhoto & iMovie, etc. I don't think I'll look back on life and say I wish I'd have worked more.
PS-If you want to read more about the pros of SAHMs, read the chapter-"The Most Important Story You'll Never See on TV", in Bernard Goldberg's "BIAS".
44 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By Kari Yozviak
Format:Hardcover
I am excited to read this book. It is about time someone wrote a book praising stay at home moms. I have a confession, I am a working mom. Oh how I wish I could stay home. We have tried to work the budget, have only one car, we don't go on vacations or live extravagantly at all. I even buy my clothes at the second hand store. Unfortunately, my husband needs help supporting the family. I have arranged my work schedule so that I get home before get off the school bus and my husband takes them to school every morning. BUT I still miss a lot! I miss enjoying the warm summer days by the pool with my girls. I miss being able to stay home when they are sick for a week. I miss just relaxing in the evening and laughing with my kids because I have too much house work to do. This book is for young women without kids who want to know what being a mommy is all about. They should read it and make this lifestyle their goal. IF young women understand that being a mommy is the most important job in the world, perhaps they will make sure to choose a husband who will support this goal and provide accordingly.
52 of 65 people found the following review helpful
By steve
Format:Hardcover
Dr. Laura's new book In Praise of Stay at Home Moms is a blessing for us mothers who choose to stay home with our children. We need some recognition and praise for the sacrifices that us moms make. My husband works a full time job for very little money. He also tries to make some extra money on weekends so that we can barely make ends meet. We are not "LUCKY" to be able to stay home with our children, we made the choice. We eat PB&J sandwiches, drive crappy cars but live a very nice and happy life. If I went to work, we could have a lot more stuff that we don't really need. Nothing is worth Mommy Me being home to raise my children. If you don't like Dr. Laura, don't buy her book. Let us mother's who work very hard at home have a book of our own to let us know that we are doing what is best for our children.
My Kids Mom
Long Beach, Ca.
My Kids Mom
Long Beach, Ca.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Always encouraging
She knows that a woman needs to have the freedom to choose her own lifestyle and not be mocked for doing so. Read more
Published 1 month ago by M.R.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A pat on the back.
This is a nice pat on the back for the stay at home mom, also encouraging for those who are thinking about becoming a stay at home mom. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Char
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love!
A voice for the stay at home mom! Loved the facts associated with the impact a mother at home has on her children. The family is the fundamental unit in society. Read more
Published 2 months ago by JLyman
5.0 out of 5 stars
MUST READIf you are thinking about becoming a stay at home mom
i love her humor and perspective on SAHM's. I have an 8 week old and decided to stay at home with my son. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Anita M. Fowler
5.0 out of 5 stars
good
man I like it that's it 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
Published 3 months ago by robert jennings
5.0 out of 5 stars
In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms
I purchase two of these books to give to my two daughters in law for Mother's Day. I wanted to give them both praise and encouragement for making the important decision to stay at... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ellen Stratton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very inspiring
She reaffirms my sahm beliefs. Everyone that has children or is planning should read this. Mostly testimonials from sahm's and people who have converted.
Published 3 months ago by Shann
2.0 out of 5 stars
Decent read, but Extremely Unrealistic
First off, I'm a stay-at-home-mom of two toddlers and very happy and proud of my decision, plus I have an amazingly supportive husband. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Shoptan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Staying Home is the Best Work an Intelligent and Dignified Woman...
I really liked this book, the Premise of the book is beautiful, and I wholeheartedly agree with the fact that women should stay home to raise their children and help their... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Book Nerd
4.0 out of 5 stars
Help, I'm Diabetic--A Bit Too Much Sweetness Here!
This book reminds me so much of an essay I wrote for a writing class right after I'd discovered I was pregnant with my first (and only) child. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Donna Hill
