baby - Staying at Home or Working - Which is Best for You

Most mothers struggle with the question of whether to stay at home with their children or work. If you're trying to make that decision, you know that it can be very difficult, because there are advantages and disadvantages to both sides. Here are some things to consider when making your decision. Can you afford to stay home? This one seems obvious, but the question requires consideration. There are costs associated with working, such as child care, gas, wear and tear on your car, clothing, lunches and parking. Deduct these expenses from your paycheck and see what's left. Next, look at other expenses you can cut. Would it be worth it to you to cut back on vacations and luxuries like cable television if it meant you could be home? If you didn't have a commute to work, could you settle for a less expensive car? Once you've examined all the alternatives, you can make a better decision about how staying home will affect you financially. Will you be happy at home? Some women stay home because they feel like it's the best thing for their children, even though they are personally much happier working. If you are unhappy at home, this will have a negative effect on your children, so you shouldn't force yourself to stay home if it isn't where you want to be. Will you be miserable if you go back to work? Conversely, mothers who truly want to be home with their children, but go to work each day just because the paycheck is a necessity are not getting the best from their life, either. If you fall into this category, maybe it's time to examine a career alternative that might be a good compromise. Could you cut your hours? Could you telecommute at your present job, or find a job that would allow you to work out of your home? Fortunately, today's employers offer more alternatives in hours and work environment that make balancing your work and home life a little easier. Remember that the decision you make is not necessarily permanent. Your financial situation could change, as could your personal preferences about working. I have personally done it both ways, and neither is a walk in the park. They are just hard in different ways, and which one works better for you is mostly a matter of your own personal style. Sarah is a 41 year old wife and mother of two boys and one girl. She spent many years as a manager in the corporate world, and gave it up to be a stay at home mom. Go to http://www.infantresources.com now and get her incredible baby minicourse - absolutely free. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Veda baby - Baby Gift Ideas for Mom's Second Baby Baby Showers for moms who are having their second or more child, are relatively new. Sometimes purchasing baby gifts for these occasions can be a little trickier, but that doesn't have to be the case. Second time around moms often have all of the necessary baby equipment from the first child's arrival, so now is the time to get creative, unique and fun! Baby Clothes Bouquets are a great idea and spark amazement when you enter a baby shower with a beautiful bouquet in your hands. This flower arrangement is so handy because it never wilts! Baby clothes bouquets come in different styles and are made of different types of baby clothes, but any one will be enjoyed by mom. Look for bouquets that have lots of baby products in them instead of just three or four items. After the initial amazement of the gift, you want mom to have plenty of items to use for the new baby. Bouquets sometimes only have baby onesies in them; however I have seen them made with bibs, washcloths, socks and burp cloths. Some come in a fancy box and others come in a vase. Try to find the vase type bouquets, so then mom can use the vase over and over again, while the box will be discarded. Another great gift for the second time around mom is a baby gift basket filled to the rim with useful items. A mom with an infant knows that you can't have enough socks, washcloths and baby washes. Baby gift baskets come in a variety of themes. Some favorites are themed around favorite children's characters while others have a safety theme or diaper duty essentials. Safety theme baskets often have all of the necessary components to child proof the new baby's house. With the second child, there are usually new innovations in home safety that the family may not have from the previous birth. Diaper duty baskets are great to give multiples of to the new family. These baby baskets are usually little less expensive, so you are able to buy more than one. These baskets are to be kept in different rooms of the house. They contain diapers, wipes, ointment, changing pad and diaper disposal bags. They are very convenient especially when the nursery is on a different level of the house. Looking for a gift for the veteran mom who is adding to her brood can be an easy task if you look for some unique and imaginative baby gifts.