As the days leading up to fatherhood become fewer, I can’t help but think more and more about how our culture views marriage and parenting. Everyone has an opinion, and each opinion has a plethora of books written to support that view. We know, we’ve seen them on the shelf. One issue that tends to still be a hot-button is the decision for a mom to stay at home.

As a family, we have decided the best thing for us is for Katie to stay home, and that is usually met with one of two responses:

A) That’s cool that you guys want to do that
B) Won’t Katie be bored? / How can you afford that? / Doesn’t Katie aspire to other things?

We know that no decision in life is ever black and white, or easy for that matter. Even the decisions that seem blacker or whiter than others come with baggage. There are single moms that need to work. There are parents that decide the best thing for their family is for both parents to work. And that’s great, I’m not knocking that by any means.

What I am saying is that we need to be more supportive of moms who decide to stay home.

When Katie and I talk about raising our kids, we think the person best qualified for the job (and yes, it is a job) is Katie. We believe she has the gifts, skills, talents and emotional and physical connection needed to best raise our baby girl. And because we believe that, we’re willing to make sacrifices to make it happen.

People tend to ask if Katie will get bored staying home. Does the babysitter or daycare provider get bored? It seems like we have a double standard in not thinking it’s weird for someone to work in a daycare, but it’s weird for someone to stay home to take care of their kids. Plus, how can you get bored of spending time with your kids? Sure, some days will be more quiet than others, but if I could have my way I’d be there right alongside my girls every hour of every day.

Then there is the question of why doesn’t a stay-at-home mom “asipre” to anything. Aspire to what? To what end is the careerism rat-race? What could be a greater aspiration than making the sacrifice of time and energy to raise your kids? In my mind, Katie is the President of Child Development, and the COO of the Saldanha Corporation. The pay isn’t that great, but the reward sure is.

Like I said before, this is just one view. I’m not saying that other opinions are wrong, nor am I trying to bring people down if they choose to work. All I’m saying is that the other side of the argument should get some well-deserved respect.

To moms!