This weekend I read on “Health Day” that a new study shows stay-at-home moms are more likely to display symptoms of depression than those women who work outside the home.
Yet the study also found that despite this, working moms who are overworked and out of balance are more likely to be depressed, as opposed to those who work outside the home and have a good order of things.
I honestly don’t think it really has anything to do with whether or not you work inside or outside the home. In either situation you can be out of balance. I also tend to think that it depends on whether or not it’s really your choice or desire to either stay at home or work outside the home.
When I started having children, it was very important for me to be home with them. Our family chose to make a lot of sacrifices for me to be able to stay home with my three children. I was even able to extend that for a few years when I homeschooled my oldest son until he entered the 5th grade.
When all of my children went to school, then I entered the workforce but only part-time. When I thought I was ready for full-time employment, I tried it. But after a few months of tears and feeling overwhelmed, I quit.
Now my children are teens and I work full-time from home. For me, this has been the most ideal situation. But since I have experienced just about every scenario there is, I can tell you this…it comes down to whether or not you really want to be in that situation you are in and if you can learn to balance things.
The study also found that despite fathers being more hands on with housework and care of the children, the bulk of the responsibilities still falls on the mother…whether or not she works outside of the home.
This has been true in my house no matter what stage I have been in. But at the same time I tend to feel that it is my responsibility. I would rather be the one who does the majority of the work in my home and in taking care of my children. You have to find what works best for your family.
What do you think about these findings on depression? How do you balance your situation? Who has most of the responsibilities of your house and children?
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