I Quit My Career to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom—and Discovered the Taboo Truth No One Talks About
Jessie, a Melbourne mom, had always imagined herself as a 'boss mom.' After welcoming her 18-month‑old son, she discovered that chasing that title didn’t bring happiness. She chose a different path: to stay home, raise her son, and make memories—the life her husband affectionately calls a 'stay-at-home-princess.' "I tried, and personally, it was exhausting trying to stay on top of everything," she told Kidspot. That decision meant closing her business and relying entirely on her husband’s income—a trade-off of independence for time with her child. "Spending money on myself for things we don’t necessarily 'need' brought up feelings of guilt. It was weird to feel that after having spent my whole adult life buying what I wanted, when I wanted, without a second thought," she revealed.
In This Article:
From Boss Mom to Stay-at-Home Princess: A Deliberate Choice, a Heavy Cost
The decision to live as a stay-at-home mom was deliberate: Jessie wanted more time with her son and meaningful memories over financial independence. "But swapping financial independence for full-time motherhood wasn’t as simple as it sounded," she explains. Coping with the new reality, she faced guilt around spending money on herself, realizing the money wasn’t hers to spend. She says the feeling is reminiscent of being a kid asking for something and waiting to see if parents will say yes or no.
Money, Guilt, and the Price of Independence
Money has long been a taboo topic, she notes. "Because these conversations aren’t had, I think many women feel like it’s just them. Or at least this was my reality anyway." On social media, stay-at-home moms often appear carefree and confident, but Jessie says that image rarely reflects the whole truth.
A Husband’s Support, Pride, and the Online Mirage
Her husband’s support has been crucial. "He wants me to be taken care of so that I can take care of my son from overflow. It means the world to me," she admits. At first, Jessie worried about sending him photos during the day, fearing he’d think they were off living their best lives while he worked. "Turns out that’s the exact thought he has, only it’s with pride, not judgment." Taking to TikTok, Jessie shared her story and was stunned by the response. The comments overflowed with mothers from every walk of life: many fear financial dependence, or are considering closing businesses or leaving jobs but are attached to the money they make.
Redefining Success: Nurturing Is the Real Work
A recurring theme: 99% of women told me how supportive their husbands were, but it was they who were struggling to adjust. "We can be considered successful in both roles," she says. For Jessie, her new job is more important than any 9-to-5. "My job isn’t to earn, it’s simply to nurture, and I really love that aspect of myself," she shares. What do you think? Post a comment.
