This is what every mom wants to know, right? What would a stay-at-home mom salary be? Well, let’s dive into what a stay-at-home mom is worth, and what you could be earning as a stay-at-home mom!
What would a stay-at-home mom salary be?
I totally think moms are undervalued in their home life. I mean, every mom works dozens of jobs (cook, chauffeur, therapist, home economist, house cleaner, janitor, bookkeeper, cleaner of laundry…you get the point) and most moms hardly get a “thank you” as a response. In fact, we are doing well if we can make a phone call in peace, right?
All the housekeepers out there say a big, “Amen!”
So, I wanted to briefly look at what look how much at home moms should be valued, and how much you can earn with just a few hours a week!
(If you are a recent SAHM and can’t go back to work because of child care, check out my post here!)
How Much Is A Stay At Home Mom Worth?
According to TLC and Salary.com, moms should make upwards of $162,581 per year. This takes into account late nights, early mornings, and always being on call overtime 24/7.
I think that’s the hardest part, right, of the life of a mom? Being on call every hour of the day, and not being able to mentally check out and take a break. I don’t know about you, but I would love to go to the bathroom without constantly worrying that my children are going to storm in, or destroy the house in the process.
For us work moms, we do make a regular salary on top of what would a stay-at-home mom salary be. But, that results in us feeling like we are only appreciated for half of what we do.
What would a stay-at-home mom salary be? I think our salary is the joy that comes with raising amazing human beings.
You May Have The Best Job In The World
Instead of asking what our median annual salary would be, let’s close our eyes and remember that moment when our child hugged our neck and said, “You’re the best, Mommy!” That’s worth a year of bonuses, right?
When I think of my whole time as a mom, I struggle to remember every moment. And I certainly didn’t “make every moment count’, or “enjoy every day because children just get older”. But I can think back to those precious moments that stand out when I close my eyes.
One of my favorite articles in the word “Don’t Carpe Diem” by Glennon Doyle, says this:
“I used to worry that not only was I failing to do a good enough job at parenting, but that I wasn’t enjoying it enough. Double failure. I felt guilty because I wasn’t in parental ecstasy every hour of every day and I wasn’t MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT like the mamas in the parenting magazines seemed to be doing. I felt guilty because honestly, I was tired and cranky and ready for the day to be over quite often. And because I knew that one day, I’d wake up and the kids would be gone, and I’d be the old lady in the grocery store with my hand over my heart. Would I be able to say I enjoyed every moment? No.
But the fact remains that I will be that nostalgic lady. I just hope to be one with a clear memory. And here’s what I hope to say to the younger mama gritting her teeth in line:
“It’s helluva hard, isn’t it? You’re a good mom, I can tell. And I like your kids, especially that one peeing in the corner. She’s my favorite. Carry on, warrior. Six hours till bedtime.” And hopefully, every once in a while, I’ll add– “Let me pick up that grocery bill for ya, sister. Go put those kids in the van and pull on up- I’ll have them bring your groceries out.”
Anyway. Clearly, Carpe Diem doesn’t work for me.I can’t even carpe fifteen minutes in a row, so a whole diem is out of the question.
Here’s what does work for me:
There are two different types of time. Chronos time is what we live in. It’s regular time, it’s one minute at a time, it’s staring down the clock till bedtime time, it’s ten excruciating minutes in the Target line time, it’s four screaming minutes in time out time, it’s two hours till daddy gets home time. Chronos is the hard, slow passing time we parents often live in.
Then there’s Kairos time. Kairos is God’s time. It’s time outside of time. It’s metaphysical time. Kairos is those magical moments in which time stands still. I have a few of those moments each day, and I cherish them.
Like when I actually stop what I’m doing and really look at Tish. I notice how perfectly smooth and brownish her skin is. I notice the perfect curves of her teeny elf mouth and her asianish brown eyes, and I breathe in her soft Tishy smell. In these moments, I see that her mouth is moving but I can’t hear her because all I can think is – This is the first time I’ve really seen Tish all day, and my God – she is so beautiful. Kairos.”
THAT is how I want to remember my time as a mom.
How to find joy in the hardest day-in and day-out
We all want more quality time with our family and kids. But it’s much easier to say than do!
May I suggest a simple single activity that you can do whenever you want that sweet memories of your family?
Once a month, go in the room that your kids are playing (or your husband/partner is interacting with a child), and turn on your phone to Record Voice Memos. Just stay in that room for awhile (10 minutes? 20 minutes?) and record the playtime and the interactions.
That’s it.
Soak up their voices. Think about their conversations and play time banter. Focus on your husband’s conversation with your kids. And record it for posterity.
Save that recording with the date, and repeat every month.
This simple act of being with your children and remembering everyday daily life, will give you memories for years to come. And is one of those good new year’s resolution ideas that is attainable, reasonable, and will give you quality time with your family.
What can a stay-at-home mom earn?
As the chief operating officer of your home front, have you ever wanted to earn a penny here or there to bring in a part-time job? Wondering how to have a small hourly wage at home? Here are a handful of jobs to give you ideas!
Earn $100-$500/month
Now THIS is the part-time job I can’t wait to try. In fact, I’m already planning how to sell printables on Etsy.
Gold City Ventures (with Julie and Cody) has the perfect free seminar to learn how to start selling on Etsy. It’s fascinating!
With this free course you can find a good idea to sell, start an Etsy shop, and 10x your sales! Seriously, anyone can create an item that goes viral on Etsy. Try it out!
Earn $500-$1000/month
Are you passionate about words, reading, and grammar? If so, proofreading could be a perfect fit for you. Check out here how you can create a profitable freelance business as an online proofreader.
Use her this free course to see if Proofreading is right for you! Learn how proofreading can be your ticket to work from anywhere. It’s the surprisingly easy way to attract your ideal proofreading prospects. Check it out here!
Earn $1000-$2000/month
I have been a Pinterest manager for years, and it was so wonderful having a part-time job that I could work in the evenings to make extra money! At the height of my Pinterest manager career, I was making about $2000/month for managing the accounts of 6 accounts. Totally recommend.
- This is the course I used to become a Pinterest manager – and I loved it! Totally recommend.
- The other course that taught me the most about Pinterest was by Levee Road – she’s THE BEST. (Her free course it the best I’ve ever seen!)
- Carly at Pinteresting Strategies is the O.G. I have learned so much from her!
If you are looking to be a Facebook Manager, I have huge respect for Rachel Miller, and her course is the best!
What would a stay-at-home mom salary be?
I don’t think that’s the right question to ask. I think, instead, we should be asking: “Is being a stay-at-home worth it?” And the answer is always yes!
Leave comments below about your SAHM job title and how you find joy in your life!
You might also like:
5 REALISTIC New Year Resolution Goals for Working Moms
Making mom friends – 6 New Tips that ACTUALLY work
Self Care for Working Moms – 30 Incredible Tips from Real Moms