I would rather work and earn $200K than be a stay-at-home mum

"And I'd rather get a nanny to help while I earned that income, than be at home with my kids." 

A mum on TikTok caused a frenzy online when she said the quiet part out loud - would you rather be a SAHM or a working mum? 

Her viral video sparked a debate, reiterating that there's no one-size-fits-all solution for motherhood. Every family is a unique concoction of personalities, priorities, and schedules. What works like a charm for one may be a total flop for another. 

Riki Sanford, who dared to ask the question, starts her video by saying, "This is for my mums out there; I'm curious: what people will pick?"

"Would you rather be a stay-at-home mum 24/7 or a working mum, but you have to get a nanny, you're working nine to five, Monday through Friday. But you're bringing in $200K a year?" 

The working mum captioned the video with, "Absolutely no shame here. I know I thrive more as a working mum."

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"It's given me so much peace"

Many current SAHMs gushed that they loved being a part of their children's early years and wouldn't change a thing. 

One wrote, "SAHM. It’s been very enlightening and rewarding to see my children grow, and it’s given me so much peace. I have no desire to be out in 'the real world."

Another added, "I made this choice in real life and would do it again every single time even though it meant I sacrificed a huge home, designer clothes, etc. I was fortunate enough to be a SAHM, and every single lost cent was worth it. I have years of work ahead of me, but my kids were only little like this once, and I am forever thankful I could be with them every day."  

This mum agreed, writing, "I quit my 200k job to be a SAHM once my kids turned four. I wish I had done it sooner, yet when they were born, I was only at $100k and climbed up while they were babies, thinking $ was more important." 

Content creator Rikki responded, "So you’re loving being a SAHM?! Was the shift okay for you?"

The woman replied: "1000% yes! It took me a few months to quit because of my ego and my hard work to get what I had. I genuinely feel that if you’re in a position for $200k pre-baby, you will have zero issue finding a job if you want to return in five -ten years."

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Source: TikTok

RELATED: Dad tells SAHM that she's been 'riding on my income'

"I chose $200k without hesitation"

One viewer of the clip posed this question in relation to hiring a nanny: 

"Why have a child if you are going to outsource raising them? I see women saying, 'It’s best for me' but what about the poor baby?"

But working mums responded with what they felt were the immense benefits.

" I’m a working mom who chose $200k a year without hesitation. I worked hard for my career and want to be a mum too," one shared. 

"Ah, this comment section makes me feel better as this will be my scenario, just not in an office, and I’ve already decided getting a nanny will be the move," another added. 

And this mum shared her experience: "So…I’ve done both. I prefer making a lot of money working from home with my kids in daycare: I couldn’t have it any other way."

Originally published as I would rather work and earn $200K than be a stay-at-home mum