As moms, most of us give a lot of thought to deciding to be employed or to be a stay at home mom. We may seek input from family, friends and books, even as pervasive media images of “having it all” also seep into our thinking. But what is known about the effects of a mother’s employment status on her children’s well-being and her own? Is there a “holy grail” of work status for mothers today? And, if not, what factors are most important in helping us make the best choice for us and our families? Dr. Deborah Kahn addressed these questions in her doctoral thesis and expanded the ideas in her recent book, The Roads Taken. You’ll want to chime in on her lively discussion with Marti & Erin about choosing to be a stay at home mom or an employed mom in this week’s Mom Enough show!

 

After you had your first child, were you employed or at home caring for your child? Why did you make the choice you made? Has your decision been the same or different with subsequent children? Whatever your choices, how do you think your situation worked for you and for your children? Why? Leave a comment below!

 

For Marti's 2005 survey study of mothers, click here.