One Calculator’s Yearly Figures: How Much Is A Mother Worth, Anyway?

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..

A New Perspective For Moms from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

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