The Rise of the Stay-at-Home High School Parent

Due to the pandemic, the rise of the stay-at-home high school parent is on the rise. Those who choose to stay home to raise their children are typically associated with caring for infants and toddlers. According to the data, mothers with young children (those under the age of three) are the most likely to stay home.

As young children require so much time and attention, these parents spend an average of 18 hours a day caring for them. However, a new demographic of young people with growing needs is those in high school. More than half of graduating high school seniors in recent research said they felt hopeless or unhappy at least point during the previous year. This trend of parents staying at home with their adolescents is one way to satisfy this demand.

I believe that the emotional and social demands of high school kids may be more pronounced than those of younger children, particularly as a result of the pandemic. Research reveals that more than 90% of parents feel having more flexibility at work would make them better parents, but there are no hard numbers on the amount of parents who are making work and career adjustments to stay home with their high schoolers.

Parents are prioritizing time with their high school students in novel ways, such as working remotely or switching careers, to give them the material, intellectual, and emotional support they require.

The Reasons Why Parents Stay at Home

It is not a novel concept for parents to stay home with their teenagers. The necessity of spending quality time with one’s adolescent child is something that many parents have come to recognize.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues among adolescents. Many of those fears were amplified by the outbreak. Nearly 40% of students in secondary schools report experiencing mental health issues as a result of the pandemic.

Stay-at-home parents may be motivated by a desire to spend more time with their kids or because of changes in their own priorities or mental health. The fact that they would have to commute less if they were at home could be a deciding factor. That may result in a less hectic routine and less stress overall. Parents can play an important role in ensuring their child receives the necessary educational support while at home.

There may be other motivations besides childcare for choosing remote employment. It may also result from shifts in the labor market, such as the elimination of some jobs. Sixty percent or more of those who believe their tasks can be done remotely actually do so. Sixty-four percent of those employees report that working from home has improved their work-life balance.

Parental Involvement and Teenage Development

More than half of Americans in two-income families feel one parent should remain home full-time. This decision to work from home has paid dividends.

According to experts, parents may not even realize they are helping their children by providing them with valuable life skills. Parents who work remotely can provide a good example for their teens by showing them how to balance work and family responsibilities.

Promoting the Emotional Well-Being of Parents

Many parents who choose to work from home do so largely for the benefit of their children, although the arrangement often benefits everyone involved. One advantage is that being adaptable can help you deal with stress better. For me, that’s a major deal because they have unrestricted authority over their own schedules and timing.

Those with more adaptable work hours report lower levels of stress compared to those who adhere more strictly to a strict schedule. That’s possible because of the flexibility of remote work.

Parental Roles: Working vs. Staying at Home

One in five caregivers are parents who stay at home. These are typically mothers and fathers who care for their young children around the clock. Once a child reaches a certain age and is able to take care of themselves, it frees up their parents to pursue other interests, such as working from home.

Many factors should be weighed while deciding between working from home and being a full-time stay-at-home parent. Consider first whether or not you have the necessary funds. How would your finances change if you had one less income source?

Following that, what will your role be in the upbringing of your kids? Do you plan to instruct them and homeschool them? When the kids are at school, do you plan on taking care of the house, or do you look for other things to do? Think about what you do on a daily basis if you stay at home and if you work from home.

There is a lack of adult interaction as well. To adjust, time must be given.

Making the Most of Your Time at Home

Changes are inevitable while adapting to a new situation, such as having a parent live at home. Your child will still need to work things out on their own, especially if they were used to being more independent before you started staying at home full-time.

A parent’s overprotectiveness can feel like a major change to independence for teenagers. Examine your own tendencies as a parent and ask yourself whether you’re interfering too much. If I push myself too far, what happens? At what point am I not pushing myself enough?

Having this conversation and establishing these limits is crucial. Keep in mind that your adolescent can feel stifled by your presence as well. Try to have patience and understanding. Your goal should always be what’s best for your child in the long term, so keep that in mind.

All children, regardless of age, require parental care and involvement. The most important thing is to be there in your teen’s life, whether that means staying at home with them or continuing to work.

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