Customer Reviews

In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

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, if you put a baby in 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.
I am in awe of my kids, brings me to tears how well they're doing. My son is Valedictorian, is QB in football & center in basketball, my 15 year old daughter ran a 5:10 1600m and finished 6th in state for XC and my youngest ran a 5:32 in his first 1600m. 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".

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.

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.

This book just came out today so I doubt the two that have written reviews could really make any good argument against the book. My life has been changed by Dr. Laura and her advice is 'common sense'. Too bad so few have it!! That's why these books are needed! I am a stay at home mom and used to be ashamed of it because EVERYONE (except my husband) thought I was 'lazy' or 'stupid' or other names my own family members have called me. There are so many books, magazines, tv programs, etc... that praise the working mom so its nice to have someone praise the SAHM for once. She isn't bashing working moms because there are certainly circumstances that a Mom would HAVE to work. Its for the SAHMs. Someone sent me a magazine called Working Mothers and I didn't take offense to it. Working Mothers would enjoy the magazine. I would enjoy something like that for SAHMs. So I probably wouldn't read the working mother as well as sports illustrated or any other magazine or book that was written for someone in a different lifestyle. You two need to stop being so overly sensitive!

Shame on Dr. Laura for suggesting that a mother should be at home caring for and nurturing her kids. What an antiquated, out-dated, stupid idea. Why would any woman raise her own kids when disinterested daycare workers can step in and do the job? Ask yourself: Would a child rather be in his own home, being loved by his own mom, and (gasp) eating home cooked meals? Of course not! We all know that kids prefer to be with strangers, tossed in with 30 kids (with snots in their noses), eating sack lunches, and not being loved or appreciated.

I am expecting my third child in a matter of weeks, so keep in mind the hormones aren't helping. It is so nice to finally have some words of encouragement for the sacrifices my husband and I have made. We live on one income and, if you know anything about the military, you know we aren't getting rich with this line of work.

I am glad I have a book I can turn to when I am looked down upon for being willing to sacrifice car payments, cell phones, cable television and vacations in order to be the primary influence in the lives of my children. I feel sorry for those who take offense at stay at home mother's being praised for their choice to raise their own children. It is really sad that it pains some to see other's getting credit for trying to do right by their children.

Listen up Ladies! You CAN do it all--just not all at one time. I took the very risky position to stay-at-home with my children years ago when there was NO support like Dr. Laura gives in this book. I decided to stay home with my first when I was making more income than my husband. I counted pennies and cried when I lost a baby's shoe at the park. I later took part-time jobs when my children were in school. I was elected mayor, honored with community awards and established a new career part-time and started a successful home business. My daughters were cheerleaders, a valedictorian, won awards in sports and both got scholarships to college--one a full ride. It really paid off to pinch pennies and put raising those girls first. Buck up and do it. Use this book to encourage you!

I just have to write a review before I have even read this book to say first and foremost, READ and then DECIDE. Attacking an author for writing a book just because of the title isn't very constructive.
It might seem the book is judgemental but it isn't, the goal of this book is for Stay At Home Moms to get some praise for what they so, if you don't stay at home don't be offended. It is your personal choice.
My choice is to stay at home, I love it and I want to be praised for it!

To a previous commenter: How petty to talk about someone's clothing! That is the bitterness talking for sure!

I can't really rate this book yet, but I had to rate it somehow. I figured since I would rate her other books with five stars, I would rate this one with five stars, also.

I'm a woman with a lot of liberal views, yet I am conservative when it comes to family. I consider each issue, individually. I am going to buy this book! I am a stay-at-home-mom. Many may have perceptions of what kind of woman stays at home, so here is a little bit about me personally. I was raised by a SAHM who was lovely, nurturing, responsible and progressive, too! She graduated from university and was a public school teacher before my brother and I were born. She quit her job so that she would be free to be the most important person in our lives...MOM. She breast-fed us, made our baby food, taught us to read & to cook, took us to museums, exposed us to music and other cultures, encouraged us, and most of all, provided safety, comfort and stability.

I am now married to an amazing man who is my very best friend (my mom is my 2nd best friend). He supports our two kids and me in countless ways. He doesn't mind working hard to support us, because after work, he returns to his happy home. He pulls into the driveway knowing that the light is on and there is life in the house (sometimes a home-cooked meal...and sometimes takeout!). I care for and provide a home and security for our two children. We spend time together as a family and take the time out as a couple on the weekends. It is a wonderful life!

Trust me ladies, I know both sides of the coin. I used to work full-time in law-enforcement. It was shift-work. I loved the job, but was just miserable juggling schedules, having my kids in daycare, and not having time to spend together with my husband (we worked opposite each other to make our lives work...but was it really living?). The women who worked at the daycare were okay, but I don't think there is ANY child-care worker who will love and nurture your children like you do! I am MUCH happier since I quit in 2002. I feel so great because I not only have the time and energy to take care of my family and home, but I have time for my own pursuits (photography, reading, writing, cooking, friends, painting, exercise).

Do yourselves a favor. Give staying home a thought. Thankfully, we as women, have the freedom to choose!

I am writing this review from a husband's perspective. I bought this book for my wife, a stay-at-home mom of our three-year old son. It is such a delight to see someone has finally written a book to praise and encourage all the stay-at-home moms. This book has brought me into perspective and some understanding on the things that my wife has to go through. In addition, the contents of this book have given me some ammunition in defense of my wife, who has graduated with an advance degree and decided to be a stay-at-home mom, from naysayers that include relatives. I'd definitely encourage any husband to get this book for your wife who's a stay-at-home mom. It will be a great source of encouragement to her.