The Stay-at-Home Mom: For Women at Home And Those Who Want to Be

by Donna Otto

This expanded and revised guide offers up–to–date information for mothers at home and those who want to be. Otto, with boundless enthusiasm for home and personal organization, takes on the challenges and highlights the rewards of being a stay–at–home mom.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Christian

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1991

About the author

Donna Otto, home and life management expert, is the author of several books, including Get More Done in Less Time, The Stay-at-Home Mom, and Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor. She is the founder of Homemakers by Choice and speaks to women's groups across the nation. Donna and her husband, David, have a grown daughter, Anissa, and have been married for more than 30 years.

Reviews

[Reba Hamilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem I have with this book is one I commonly find true of Christian books- the author seems to give her opinion without firm Biblical backing but claims it as God's will for all. I spent the first few chapters hoping that there would be some good explanations later for her insistence that it is wrong to not stay at home with your kids.

Now, I am a stay at home mom and love it. I liked the chapters that gave advice on coping and finding ways to make it work financially. But I do not feel that every woman can stay home and I do not feel that every woman should stay home. Sometimes the benefits of having an aunt or grandparent help raise a child outweigh that of a mother staying home. Sometimes a family is too destitute. Sometimes the thing for which the mother is working (in my mom's case, our private school education) is worth the sacrifice. Sometimes it is better for the dad to stay at home.

I don't see any evidence in scripture that it is the sole responsibility of the mom. And this book did not prove the point- or even really try to argue it- it just stated an opinion and based a book (and a lecture series) on it.

[Leanah Rei Villanueva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really a great help for me. It’s one of the books that convinced me to be more intentional when it comes to raising my children the way God wants to be. It showed me how precious my role, that I am “The Best Choice” for my children. A lot may argue, but you can’t really say you are successful when your are being disobedient with your calling as a mom which is to be fully present at home for your children and your husband. You are the one called to mother your children, and no one can and should replace you at home. We are created to be homemakers as Proverbs 31 says, and submissive as Titus 2 says. You are not called to provide—that’s your husband’s role. A huge thanks to Mrs. David Otto for being so brave in telling us the truth. I was convicted by the Holy Spirit while reading this. Praise God for it!