What is a mom worth? Are you sitting down?
The occupations compiled by one salary calculator may shock you pleasantly or otherwise!
To those who struggle with infertility or must work outside of the home, I realize this is a sensitive topic. This is in no way meant to heap more guilt or pain upon you, friend. During these times, we must trust that the Lord has a plan and knows exactly what He’s doing. If you desire to be home, my heart goes out to you, and I often pray for those of you there right now.
Recently, I found this quote on Facebook:
“Just a Mom?…..I don’t understand it when people say, “You’re just a mom.” Yes, I am a Mom! That makes me an alarm clock, cook, maid, waitress, teacher, nurse, referee, handyman, security officer, photographer, counselor, chauffeur, event planner, hairdresser, personal assistant, ATM, & I scare away the boogie man. I don’t get paid holidays, sick pay, or days off. I am on call 24/7 for the rest of my life. And that’s just BEING A MOM!! I may not be anything to you, but I am everything to someone!”
After not being able to conceive (or carry a baby more than a few months) until I was 39, it really hurt to have to explain to my co-workers why I wanted to be ‘just a Mom’!
“Why are you quitting nursing and throwing away all that education?” “You’re dumping such a wonderful job!” “Certainly you will want to come back to work…”
The only photo I know of from the OR years (taken in 1974 right out of 4-year nursing school)
But my whole body ached for children, and my biological clock was ticking away. Our home was so quiet, and though we would have been ‘OK’ if it was truly not the Lord’s will for us to have children, I couldn’t deny the deep desire to use the gifts of nurturing and teaching that He had placed in my heart.
I’d already been working nearly 20 years in the medical field before I left to try to carry our first child to term. We’d just lost this babe’s twin half way through the pregnancy, and I needed to get off my feet. Somehow, I sensed I wouldn’t be going back.
Compared to what I earned as a well-paid surgical, and later, a private nurse, I believe being a mother is worth infinitely more than any money I could have earned in my ‘professional’ working years. As I get closer to 70, my income earning days are over, but the worth of being a Mother never stops!
You could say the calling is eternal.
A mom’s worth is inestimable. Moms:
– provide transportation, help with and direct yard work, assist with homework (include lesson planning and teaching if you home-educate), and develop relationships with individual children
– do laundry, facilitate outreach, support family economy (when we lived on the farm), be there in big and little ways
– train in personal habits, order and clean the home, provide outside enrichment and socialization, cultivate important friendships
– cook meals, facilitate time with beloved grandparents, maintain order and discipline, keep family on schedule
…not to mention dispensing homemade remedies and nursing care, attend meetings and functions, listening to and resolving family problems, helping manage family and personal finances, and caring for pets.
So how much is a mother worth in a practical way, facilitating family life? as a teacher and mentor? in keeping the family healthy, physically and emotionally?
Putting a price tag on a priceless job is extremely hard to do, but Salary.com gave it a shot anyway.
Salary Calculator based on worth
Salary.com selected a handful of jobs that reflect a day in the life of a Mom, and using their Salary Wizard.
They uncovered that the medium annual salary in 2018 of a mother is $162,581 – rising nearly $5,000 from their 2017 calculations.
One attempt at quantifying $ value of worth (2017)
(Source)
Hear what the family has to say..
And how much is a mother worth spiritually?
If you are striving to live these out with the help of the Lord, you are a mother worth even more – priceless beyond telling and a mother worth far more than any amount of money or things. Here are a noteworthy few from Proverbs 31 :
She brings her husband confidence and good, not harm (vs. 11, 12)
She endures labor and weariness. She is a sturdy woman(vs. 13, 15, 17)
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy (vs. 20)
She ‘wears’ strength and dignity – she smiles (joyful?) at the future (vs. 25)
She has wisdom and faithful instruction – spoken and unspoken (vs. 26, 27)
She inspires her children, her husband to praise her (vs. 28)
She fears the Lord (vs. 30)
So instead of believing that you are ‘just a Mom’, I pray that you, dear Mother, would see the priceless treasure you are and the opportunity that you hold in your hands before it is too late. You may not believe it or see it now, but trusting God through the struggle will ultimately bless your family more than any other single thing you could ever do! Stand firm and do not fear!
“Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her.” ~Proverbs 31:28
So don’t call your husband over to the computer screen to see how much you’re really worth financially. A good employee doesn’t tout their worth to the company executives. Allow the Lord to show your husband your true worth, both financially and spiritually.
“Oh, Mothers of young children, I bow before you in reverence. Your work is most holy. You are fashioning the destinies of immortal souls. The powers folded up in the little ones that you hushed to sleep in your bosoms last night, are powers that shall exist forever. You are preparing them for their immortal destiny and influence. Be faithful. Take up your sacred burden reverently. Be sure that your life is sweet and clean.” ~ J.R. Miller
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Erica Ricky Kennedy
Lovely!
Elena
Thank you for this! Motherhood definitely isn’t for the faint of heart yet it’s absolutely worth it.
Jenni DeWitt
Amen to that! It’s definitely the hardest “job” I’ve ever had but also the most rewarding.
Jacqueline
Thanks for commenting, Jenni! It is hard, but also awesome! I has grown me more than anything else!
JES
Just beautiful Jacqueline… We are worth far above rubies 🙂
Charlotte Moore
If only some people were truly real mothers. It just amazes me at the women that don’t have motherly instincts. So sad!! A real mother is a treasure for sure. I worked in the school system for over 24 years. You see all kinds when dealing with children.
Blessings!!!
Bethany Smith
Thank you! Very encouraging thoughts this morning.
Toni
Great post, Jacqueline. There are so many in our society that are mothers only in the biological realm that have no idea how to connect with their role. It’s so sad. I pray someone will be helped by this well and thoughtfully written post. Have a wonderful day!
Charlotte Moore
AMEN!!!! Some do not have the motherly instinct.
Heather Anderson
As always, very encouraging! It is good to remember this when the day to day seems overwhelming. There are not a lot of Titus 2 women around because the previous generation bought into the lie that they should be more than “just a mother.” Even though from a distance, you are helping fill a role for many young women that are longing to find. Blessings!
Jacqueline
Heather,
I miss you and pray for you so often. Keep up the strong stand for Jesus, dear one.. You will never be disappointed in being ‘just a mother’ though that term is so warped…in the job description of Mother is wrapped up the very essence of love and nurture and selfless sacrifice…very precious in the sight of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Jessie
That was wonderful! It made my mom and I both cry and laugh. Also, now we’re calling Ethan and Evan the “associates”. 🙂
Jacqueline
I am cracking up! I’ll call my husband that tonight and see what he says! 😀 Good show!
Roxy
Thank YOU I knew deep down inside I was worth a ton of money :o)
It is nice to see it in print…
Really, I feel like I have been on the blessing side of being able to impart so much to so many! What a great retirement plan God must have for me…
Love, Roxy
Jacqueline
Haha!! You said it, Roxy 😀
Judith
Your testimony is incredible. This blessed me so much as I needed to hear that being a mother (and wife) is worth it. I just cried as I read your post and cried even more as I watched the video. Thank you so much for sharing your story again.
Jacqueline
Hi, Judith! I tried to link-up yesterday with you but could not. I got confused in even finding your link-up, so I may try again now. I am sad I failed to add a little disclaimer for those who struggle with infertility or need to work outside of the home…so I just did. Blessings!
normaleverydaylife
Very interesting! It’s tempting to discount all a mother does, but it truly is remarkable when you see it all laid out like that! #wakeupwednesday
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk)
I am struggling today with money and I miss home and I feel like I am an inadequate mother. This is an uplifting post. Thank you. #ww
Tracy @ OurSimpleLifeSC
This is a perfect post for those new mothers who may face the naysayers about choosing to stay home and care for children. I value my mother position and thank God everyday he made me a Woman of God and for allowing me to care for his children.
Francie
I’m so glad you posted this. I have a six year old school age child, and I always get people asking me when I plan on going “back to work since my child is in school full time.” I actually did get a job working part time but I found it a struggle to work outside the home and manage the home and have enough energy to be with my daughter. I wound up quitting that job and I have not looked back. I get all kinds of people including friends and family who think I just sit around all day with nothing to do while my daughter is at school. But the truth is that it is a full time job to make a home if you want to do it properly. As our society heads further down the road towards socialism, encouraging voices are rare. Thank you for the encouragement.
Francie
Jacqueline
Francie,
You may feel alone, but there are so many women who feel these same feelings and find great peace making the decision to be at home for their family. Well said, friend. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights with us! May the Lord bless you richly 🙂