We often hear in today’s society that being a stay-at-home parent is the easiest option an adult can choose to do with their life and that those who stay at home have no clue what it’s like to have a real job.
Stay-at-home parents know this couldn’t be further from the truth and their role is actually one of the most challenging, yet incredibly rewarding, jobs that exist.
Not only do stay-at-home parents serve an invaluable role in the development of their children but they also have a profound impact on the growth of the Christian community as well.
Some Christian adults don’t feel called by God to be stay-at-home parents, whereas others may desperately want to stay home but are unable to because of life’s demands.
There is nothing wrong with choosing to pursue the role that God assigns you to, as each of us have a unique purpose in His divine plan.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
For those of you who are currently stay-at-home parents, or who earnestly want to stay home with your children in the future, we hope you realize all of the amazing ways in which you can contribute to your child’s development as a Christian leader, as well as your amazing role in building the kingdom of God.
Mothers and fathers, you both play a critical role in raising your children to know Christ and guiding your family in their spiritual development.
Perhaps the most important way in which stay-at-home parents aid in the development of future Christian leaders is by fostering the foundation of faith for the entire family.
Parents who stay at home generally have a more flexible schedule which enables them to dedicate more time in carefully tailoring the learning of God’s Word for each child according to their ability and age.
Spending one-on-one time with your children that’s specifically dedicated to learning God’s Word is crucial in establishing family values as well as rooting Christ at the center of each child’s identity.
Not only will your children learn about Christ, but they’ll be learning by your example how to study the Word of God with others and teach their children in the future.
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Another way in which stay-at-home parents help their children become Christian leaders is through providing a secure, joyful environment for them to return to at all times.
When parents are able to stay at home, especially during the first 5 years of a child’s life, they tend to experience more time having fun with their children through play, as well as enjoying mutual laughter and crucial moments of bonding.
These experiences of pure love will teach your children at an early age how we ought to love others as Christ loved us. As adults, your children will be more inclined to replicate this behavior of guidance, support, and unconditional love towards everyone they encounter.
“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” (1 John 4:16)
A final consideration to make when deciding whether or not to stay at home with your children is that those who are able to stay at home generally have more control over building and strengthening the community that influences their children the most.
For instance, children spend on average around 6.5 hours at school per day, which means they are being influenced by hundreds, if not thousands, of different people for over 30 hours a week in school alone.
It is crucial as Christians that we provide a community for our children which is reverent towards God and upholds His Word as our primary guidance towards life.
Being a stay-at-home parent allows you to have more time to build a schedule for your child to participate within a Christian community, whether it’s going to church on Sundays, attending weekly youth group events, or even bonding with Christian neighbors and friends.
Having more time at home also gives you ample opportunities to supervise the activities going on within your child’s life and will help ensure that your child is being influenced by those who serve Christ on a daily basis.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).
And we realize that not all parents are able to stay at home with their children—and that’s ok!
Christian parents are still able to glorify God in any career or path they choose by setting a Godly example for their children to observe and model after.
Both the parents who work full time to provide for their families and the parents who choose to stay at home should feel absolute joy in their calling by God and remain confident in His ability to work through them in all that they do.
“Always set an example by doing good things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity.” (Titus 2:7).