Although stay at home parenting can be the toughest job that a mother or father can have, many would never want to give up the opportunity to experience their childs development on a day to day basis. And, benefits to the child include a level of consistency, nurturing, and love that is simply not found in a daycare environment.

There are, however, disadvantages to being a stay at home parent, and loneliness tops the list. When you are accustomed to the camaraderie of other adults at work, it can be isolating to stay at home with children. Financial hardship can be another concern. Losing that additional paycheck is something that needs to be considered before committing to being a stay at home parent.

So, yes there are definite pros and cons that are worth exploring before deciding to stay home with your child or return to work. If you are considering the possibility of staying home with your child here are some important questions to ask yourself:

1.Will your family be able to stay afloat financially if you are no longer bringing home a paycheck?

2.Is there a possibility of telecommuting with your current job or generating some income from a home-based business? (This is often a good compromise for those who dont want to completely give up their career.)

3.Will you be able to return to your career once your children are school age?

4.Are you prepared to commit yourself 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the care of your child?

5.Are you comfortable doing the other household duties that coincide with being a stay at home parent (laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.)

6.Do you have a good social network of other parents with children in the same age group? (If not, this will be an important way for you to socialize with other adults and for your child to meet other children.)

7.Will you be able to thrive without the social interaction found in a workplace environment?

If you answered yes to the majority of these questions, stay at home parenting might be a good fit for you. The point of all of this is that there are options for parents, and that there is no one right choice that applies to every family. The important thing is to consider your particular circumstances and make the correct decision that is right for both you and your family.