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Can I Afford to Be a Stay at Home Parent?
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."
- Oscar Wilde
Rise and shine Mommy! It's Monday—another chance to be the unpaid chauffeur, chef, and life coach we were born to be! Let's kick off this week with something yummy, crafty, and might I add, budget-friendly.
Today’s Mommy scoop:
The stay-at-home parent budget test
Freezer-friendly mom hacks
Cookie dough balls—no oven needed!
Headbands: Crafting for cash
Need energy? Get through Monday with THIS in your pocket — Verb
Budget Diapers & College Dreams
Can I Afford to Be a Stay at Home Parent?
Ever find yourself daydreaming about swapping spreadsheets for playdates?
You're in good company—stay-at-home parenting surged by a whopping 60% recently.
But before you hand in that resignation letter, let's talk moolah and lifestyle.
The Cost of Staying Home: It's Not Just Diapers
Ready to trade your high heels for fuzzy slippers?
First things first, let's get a handle on your current expenses. Yup, from your mortgage down to your Netflix subscription, everything counts.
Do the math to see if living on a single income is feasible.
Mom Tip: Create a “mock budget” where you live off one income for a month while still working. This helps you test the waters and see if you can really afford this new lifestyle.
Potential Savings and Financial Plans
Okay, so it's not all gloom and doom. You'll be cutting out expenses like childcare and gas for your commute.
Consult a financial planner to weigh the pros and cons.
Plus, your taxes might go down if your family slides into a lower tax bracket—bonus!
Mom Tip: Don't just look at immediate savings. Calculate the cost of re-entering the job market later, especially if you plan on going back once the kiddos are in school.
Long-term Financial Goals: Beyond the Baby Years
Thinking about the here and now is important, but don't forget your future financial goals.
Will dropping to one income put a wrench in your college or retirement savings?
Small monthly contributions can add up!
Mom Tip: If possible, continue contributing to a retirement account, even if it's a small amount. You can always increase contributions later, and your future self will thank you.
The Emotional Dollar: It's More than Money
Becoming a full-time parent is an emotional rollercoaster.
Yes, you’ll miss adult conversations and maybe even those weekly meetings (just maybe!).
But the joy of witnessing every single baby milestone? Beyond measure.
Don't forget to prioritize self-care, too.
Mom Tip: Schedule regular “me-time” just like you would an important work meeting. Whether it's a bath, a book, or a quick catch-up with friends, you'll be a better parent when you're also taking care of yourself.
Conclusion: The Choice is Yours, Mama!
Whether you keep climbing the corporate ladder or become the CEO of your household, remember this: life is short, and kiddo giggles are golden.
Mom Tip: No decision has to be forever. You can always try out stay-at-home parenting and reevaluate later. Life is flexible; your choices can be too!
So go ahead, decide if you're ready to swap that briefcase for a trendsetting diaper bag.
Either way, you got this, Mama! 😊
Keep reading here.
Together with Verb
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Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll
How has motherhood changed your relationship with your own mom?-> Vote to reveal what other moms think |
Poll Results From 9/22
What's your approach towards your child's nutrition?
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Strictly organic (2%)
🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ Balanced diet (32%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Flexitarian (17%)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Standard child food (13%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 They eat what I eat (36%)
Featured Response 🙂
“I try to feed our family a balanced variety of foods. We eat overall pretty healthy, and I home-cook all meals, but we do also have treats, baked goods, ice cream, and typical “junk food” at times. It’s all about balance and teaching kids that some foods fuel your body and some just simply taste good but don’t fuel your body. Some foods are more nutritious and some aren’t. It’s all about balance…”
Mom Hack
Freeze big recipes
Mom Hack
Overcooked and overwhelmed? Don't toss that extra food!
Freeze half of your big-batch recipes like lasagna or enchiladas. This saves you both time and money.
When you're swamped and can't cook, just reheat and enjoy a homemade meal without the fuss.
Mom’s Menu
No Bake Cookie Dough Balls 🍪🌈
Source: weelicious
Ever wanted to relive those cheeky moments of sneaking in raw cookie dough from the bowl as a kid?
Good news—you can have your dough and eat it too, without any worry of raw eggs or yucky stuff.
Plus, these no-bake delights are actually good for you and the kiddos!
Ingredients 📝
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter or sun butter
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or vegan)
1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
1 tablespoon chia or hemp seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dye-free sprinkles
Source: weelicious
Instructions 👩🍳
Toss all the goodies (except the sprinkles) into a food processor. Give 'em a good whirl till they're best friends.
Time to get those hands dirty! Roll the mix into 1-inch dough balls.
Sprinkle game on! Roll those balls in the dye-free sprinkles.
Stash them in an airtight container and into the fridge they go.
Source: weelicious
Notes 📌
They last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Perfect for those "hide-in-the-pantry-and-eat-a-treat" mommy moments.
You can swap peanut butter for sun butter to make them nut-free.
Seriously, these little wonders pack a nutritional punch with fiber, omega-3s, and antioxidants.
Next time you’re pining for a treat that's both scrumptious and won't make you feel guilty for cheating on that diet you never started, reach for one of these.
Kids love 'em, husbands sneak 'em, and you? You're winning at this mom game. 🎉💪
Full recipe here.
Daily DIY (Mom Side Hustle)
Headbands and Wraps (Make & Sell)
ourlifeisbeautiful
Right now, headbands and wraps for fall are so in!
From crochet designs that keep you cozy to all-weather turbans, the options are endless.
They're perfect for chilly mornings or adding flair to your outfit.
They should take about 30 minutes if it’s your first time. 10 minutes a piece after that.
The tutorial is here.
Mom’s Choice
This little guy is great, swooping in to clean up life's little (and big) messes. 🦸♂️
And the wall mount is great. It’s always charged and ready to tackle the next "creative" project your kiddo comes up with.
Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum
 Check on Amazon |
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Game
Parenting Pop Quiz
What is "meconium"?
(Answer below)
A) First cry of a newborn
B) First milk from the mother
C) First feces of a newborn
D) First food for a baby
Mom’s Meme 🤣
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Answer
C) First feces of a newborn
Reply