Being a stay-at-home mom comes at a high cost, but it yields priceless rewards. Upon choosing to give up a career, you are guaranteed to lose the respect of those in the work place who value status and money over family. You will be criticized by those who don’t understand. Some will say that you are being lazy, thinking that you sit around watching soap operas all day while eating bonbons. I received an anonymous text message today saying, “Get a job you bum.” Every time I hear someone criticize not only me, but other women who make extreme sacrifices to put the needs of her children and family above her own, it breaks my heart.

Taking a leap of faith and reducing your household income to just one is not easy. It requires great sacrifice and commitment. But giving up “things” is worth it because by doing so you gain something much more valuable, time well spent raising your babies. You get the opportunity teach them. You get to witness every milestone first hand. You get the benefit of molding them into the man or woman they will become. Those are memories and moments no amount of money can buy.

And to those of you that look down upon us stay-at-home moms, maybe you should stop and ask yourself just one question. Why does it bother you?

To all of you stay-at-home moms out there, you deserve love and respect. There will always be someone who thinks you are a second class citizen because of the choice you have made, but who are they to judge? God is the only opinion that matters, so keep your head held high and know that the job you are doing is one of the most important jobs in the world.