Search icon

Stay-At-Home Wife (13 Factors To Consider Before Becoming One)

Choosing to be a stay-at-home wife might be the best decision for you, especially if you love being around your family

However, it could also be detrimental if you don’t consider some factors. If you're in such a position, you need to ensure that all your cards are played right, and you work out some key factors on how to be a housewife first.

Don’t think it’s that easy to stay-at-home and be a trophy wife; it doesn’t work for everyone and can end up being quite boring and stressful. 

Below are 13 essential criteria to help you determine whether being a housewife is convenient for you.

13 Factors To Consider Before Being A Stay-At-Home Wife

1. Know all the possible options

Often, the decision to be a stay-at-home wife might be spurring from difficulties around the family and household. For example, the decision can result from not spending enough time with your children, or perhaps, that your current job is stressing you out. 

In such cases, it's essential to consider other possible options that can efficiently resolve the issue, other than your decision to be a stay-at-home wife. You should consider things like choosing a less strenuous occupation, or perhaps, maximizing bonding time with your family. 

It may feel like becoming a full-time housewife will solve all the issues, but that would mean another big responsibility. Try to discuss this with your spouse, to be able to get a broader range of possible solutions as well. 

When all things are adequately considered, and everything points to being a stay-at-home wife, then don’t mind what other people have to say, go for it.

2. Surviving on only one income

surviving on only one income

When two people in the family and making money and contributing to the daily household needs, it’s more productive than when one partner is bearing the financial burden. Except, of course, you’re married to a football player and other big earners, and even then, it’s still better to contribute and have your stream of income. 

When you're deciding to cut off your source of income by quitting your work to become a housewife, you should consider the impact it would leave at home. Will your partner comfortably be able to be the sole provider, or will he have to work extra time just to keep you and the kids happy? 

Try to make a list of all the expenses your income handles, no matter how small, and try to fit it into the budget of your spouse. If there are tight spots, and a lot of things can't be adequately handled, then you should rethink your decision to become a stay-at-home wife. 

3. What do you want?

The decision to quit your job and focus on the family could have been suggested by friends, coworkers, or your spouse. That's why it's essential to consider what you want before making a final decision. 

Many people have confessed that it feels like they're unfulfilled without work, or the income they're earning. Your spouse might suggest that you become a stay-at-home wife for specific reasons like taking care of your child or generally spending more time with the family. In such a situation, try to look for other possible solutions to the problems before making a final decision. 

Also, try to look beyond the present satisfaction to stay home and consider how things will be when the primary reason for doing so is no longer valid. For example, when your kids no longer need your attention, or your family doesn't require so much time together. 

If you realize that in the long run, you will be affected by your decision now, then you shouldn’t quit that day job.

4. Staying at home all-day

An important factor that many people don't think of is the fact of staying at home all day. Even though you might run errands, do some house cleaning, or accomplish certain tasks for the household, most of the time would still be spent all by yourself. 

Aside from the free time, you would have, it's crucial also to contemplate the idea of staying all by yourself. The real question is, “Can you handle it?" 

If you live in a big house that tends to get a little scary when you're all alone, then you should reconsider your decision of being a stay-at-home wife. If you can't handle little to no social interactions, and you desperately need to interact with people, then you should also reconsider your decision. 

There's going to be a lot of free time on your hands, and some of your friends may not have ample time to keep you company, neither might your husband. You should adequately think about these things. 

5. Training your kids

training your kids

Being a housewife might also reduce the extent to which your kids engage in outdoor social activities or daycares. As such, you're going to need to physically and mentally stimulate them throughout their growing years. 

It will also demand incorporating a lot of educational activities to help them cope with school even better to learn all they can while growing. This process will need a lot of creative skills because you'll always be trying to adapt to the ever-evolving educational system. 

Since being a housewife will mean cutting back on expenses, hiring someone to do these things might simply steal the essence of being one. It's why it's important to consider if you have the skills to spark creativity in your kids, while also encouraging maximum physical and mental growth. 

If you doubt your capacity to accomplish this, then you should consider if there's enough income to cover such expenses – all to ensure that your kids get the best while growing up.

6. The duration 

The duration of being a housewife varies from one household to another. In all common sense, it depends on the personal decisions of the couples involved. That’s why it's essential to discuss with your husband about this subject before making a decision. It will ensure the both of you are on the same page about the duration of being a housewife. 

Use this tool to check whether he actually is who he says he is
Whether you're married or have just started seeing someone, infidelity rates are on the rise and have increased over 40% in the last 20 years, so you have all the right to be worried.

Perhaps you want to know if he's texting other women behind your back? Or whether he has active Tinder or dating profile? Or worse yet, whether he has a criminal record or is cheating on you?

This tool will do just that and pull up any hidden social media and dating profiles, photos, criminal records, and much more to hopefully help put your doubts to rest.

Are you doing this because you just gave birth, and would like to spend a year or two off the job market? Or is it more of an indefinite plan that gets you more alone time, yet most of the responsibilities of running the house? 

Instead of zeroing out helpful employment opportunities, discuss other minor substitutes to having a full-time job with your husband. There’s venturing into freelance jobs during your free time, which won't take up most of your time. 

You can also discuss simpler avenues to earn income, which won't interrupt your household duties and would be easier to switch from when you decide to stop being a housewife and start work again.

7. House duties

A lot of people have different interpretations of what a housewife is expected to do. Most homemakers might be comfortable doing all the household tasks like house cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the kids. At the same time, other people may not be able to accomplish all these effectively.

Before making the decision, it's important to discuss with your husband all activities you would be responsible for in the house. It's also important to note what you can handle, and appropriately discuss this with your husband, to avoid a common issue of not meeting expectations. 

You may feel like you can do it all by the first week, but things may become harder later on. So, ensure you and your husband vividly point out the work both of you will be respectively handling during the period of you being a stay-at-home parent. 

Such planning should be done by following what both of you can handle, while other activities like house cleaning or any established cleaning routine, can be given to someone else. Doing this will ensure stability in the home, with a certainty that all tasks are accomplished effectively.

8. Your career

The biggest decision involving choosing to be a home wife is whether or not to leave your career behind. 

In such a scenario, before making a decision, it's important to ask yourself questions like, "How much do I love my career?" "What has it cost me to get to where I am now?" "Will it cost more to lose this much?" "How will I feel in the long run after deciding to leave my career behind?" "If I decide to get back to work after being a stay-at-home parent for a while, would I be able to catch up?" 

After evaluating the answers to these questions, there's a certainty you'll have a better picture of what it's like to be a stay-at-home mom, especially in the long run. If you feel you'll regret your decision, then it's best to communicate this to your husband. 

This fact doesn't make you a bad person. It simply means you're trying to have a happier and more fulfilled life in the long run, despite building a family

9. Are the expenses really reduced?

are the expenses really reduced

Most women decide to be home wives because they think it'll reduce the costs of daycares, and essentially running a home while physically being present. Having a parent at home all day means a higher chance of handling things without involving a third party, and saving money too. However, in most cases, this doesn't always work out as planned. 

Some couples might incur more expenses in certain areas, as opposed to having more channels of income and being able to handle it. That’s why it's important to ensure that costs will tremendously reduce after you decide to stay-at-home. You need to weigh the bars, and fully ensure you're making the best financial decision for your family.

Focus on the areas you know might suffer the most from the shortage of income, and other areas that would possibly incur more expenses.

10. Will you still be stressed?

A lot of people only think of the benefits of being a stay-at-home parent in comparison to having to work a hectic job. Things that might come to mind include; having a lot of free time, and fewer responsibilities. 

Nonetheless, being a home wife still comes with a lot of tasks that might be as strenuous as having to work a day job. Being a wife and a mother comes off as a full-time job on its own. Therefore, before you go along with your decision to be a stay-at-home wife, you should definitely consider if you'll be less stressed, or even more stressed. 

That’s why the previous step of discussing with your partner the job you'll be handling is quite important. No one wants to incur more expense as a result of trying to be less stressed, which is why you need to find a balance, and ensure your tasks are not too hectic.

11. Can you save for the long run?

With the expenses in the house reduced to a certain extent, there should be enough room to save up some extra cash in the long run. You want to ensure that this decision will give you enough room to save; otherwise, it would be an unprofitable decision. When the only source of income in the household is from one source, it's quite prudent to prepare for the unexpected. 

If you're having a hard time deciding whether it's best to stay-at-home or continue working, then you need to evaluate how much you'll be able to save without having a job. 

The amount of money you can save without your job doesn't have to exceed the amount you'd save when working. It simply has to be enough to cater to the present and future expenses. 

12. Social skills for your kids

social skills for your kids

Kids with stay-at-home parents may engage less in social activities than those without. As a result of staying home more often, such kids may not gain the essential social skills they need when growing up. 

Some parents would try to ensure their kids engage in more activities, but being a stay-at-home parent tends to bring certain anxieties about leaving a kid unsupervised. Therefore, hindering them from learning from certain activities, and gaining childhood experiences as they should.

If you're considering being a stay-at-home wife, then apart from the benefits you and your kids will get, ensure you think of the disadvantages it might bring to your kids as well. 

Some of the things that might limit them from gaining childhood experiences should be considered beforehand, in order to have ample time to think of avenues to resolve it – or perhaps, to reconsider being a stay-at-home parent as a whole.

13. Talk to other stay-at-home wives

The world is changing, especially in the area of nurturing a home. Learning how to be a home wife has evolved into new trends and also new difficulties. That’s why talking to stay-at-home parents is something you should consider doing before deciding to be one. There are certain things you wouldn't be aware of, except you talk to someone presently going through it. 

Doing this will give you a clearer picture of what it feels like being a stay-at-home wife, with detailed subjects like the initial phases, and the later phases. The feedback you get would either sponsor your decision or inhibit it. 

Talking to other stay-at-home wives will also allow you to make new friends, who you'll be able to share difficulties, and you’ll, in turn, learn from their successes.

FAQs

What is a stay-at-home wife called?

A stay-at-home wife is usually called a housewife. However, most would prefer to be simply called a 'stay-at-home mom', rather than using the term ‘home wife.’ A stay-at-home parent is responsible for managing the affairs of the household.

Is it OK to just be a housewife?

Irrespective of a woman's quest for self-achievement, being just a home wife is also an achievement. The role of a homemaker puts you in charge of catering to the needs of your family per time, which is not an easy task to accomplish.

What does a housewife do all day?

The duties of a home wife include nurturing the family and providing for their immediate needs. Though the monetary work falls on the husband, carrying out other tasks in the household falls on the home mom.

How can I make my wife stay home happy?

If you're looking to make your wife happy then you should provide her with things that will generally alleviate her stress, and make her more comfortable. It's also important to pay attention to the problems your wife is having, and look for ways to solve them. Things like a washing machine, vacuum cleaner, and dishwasher would lessen the load of work she has to do.

Which job is best for a housewife?

The job of a home wife is to nurture the children and provide them with all the basic resources. More so, to cater to the needs for the home, with the income her spouse generates. However, they can pick up remote jobs like blogging or content writing or start an online business run from home. 

To Sum Things Up

Were you enlightened by this article on what you need to consider before becoming a stay-at-home parent? Always remember that your decision should encompass the present, and determine your overall happiness in the future. Leave a comment below if you like this article, and share it with friends that need to see this. 

Utilize this tool to verify if he's truly who he claims to be
Whether you're married or just started dating someone, infidelity rates have risen by over 40% in the past 20 years, so your concerns are justified.

Do you want to find out if he's texting other women behind your back? Or if he has an active Tinder or dating profile? Or even worse, if he has a criminal record or is cheating on you?

This tool can help by uncovering hidden social media and dating profiles, photos, criminal records, and much more, potentially putting your doubts to rest.

Subscribe

Join Our Newsletter

Receive weekly tips & tricks to improve your love life.
Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.