For some couples who are expecting, their daily routines may change significantly after the baby arrives. This might result in the decision to avoid day care- perhaps due to its high costs or a personal preference to raising the child at home. If you’re pregnant, on leave, or contemplating options, remember that both parents could potentially be good candidates for staying home with the baby.
Not sure which one of you should be the stay-at-home parent? Here’s a helpful checklist to guide your decision:
1. COMPARE INCOMES:
Look at both of your salaries – the one who earns less might be the ideal candidate to stay at home. For instance, if one partner earns $70,000 and the other $35,000, it makes sense for the one contributing more financially to continue working. However, this won’t necessarily apply if the partner earning less has future prospects of earning significantly more.
2. ASSESS JOB BENEFITS:
Don’t just contemplate the salary. If one partner enjoys exceptional benefits like health insurance or a retirement matching program from their employer, consider the loss in quitting. The cost of compensating these benefits out of pocket might be substantial.
3. CONTEMPLATING A CAREER SWAP?
A partner keen on shifting career paths might view parenthood as an opportunity. For instance, Marie, who worked at an eye clinic, desired to be a nurse. When she had kids, she quit her job (despite earning more than her spouse) to study nursing – taking care of her kids while preparing for her desired career.
4. POTENTIAL TO WORK FROM HOME:
Can one of you earn from home? For instance, I preferred to stay home to look after the kids because I could earn a third of our monthly income as a writer and virtual assistant. Evaluate if any of you have skills for remote work opportunities, such as writing, tutoring, or teaching piano.
5. WHO PREFERS TO STAY HOME?
While finances matter, personal preference is equally essential. If a partner earns less but strongly dislikes the idea of spending all day at home, forcing them into the role could lead to resentment.
Sometimes, having a baby does not affect your routines, at other times, it requires drastic changes, like leaving your job. If either of you decided to stay home with the baby, how did you decide who should quit?
