Mothers At Home Matter

It is wonderful to see women in the public eye speaking up about making a positive and empowering choice to raise their children.

It is also sad that in today’s world, choosing to be a stay at home mother is not a financially viable option for many, and that it is also often presented in a negative light.

We believe that we need to challenge the policies which ignore the needs of children and portray a mothers desire as only to be in the workplace.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments 👇

Raising the next generation is some of the most valuable work in the world (and deserves much wider recognition - because not all value can be measured in GBP).

The love, care, and nurture we provide our children shape the future in ways that no paycheck ever could.

That’s why we love this quote from .

While wider society doesn’t currently always attach the same glamour and prestige to at home motherhood as it does to Ivy League business schools or working in offices at the top of skyscrapers, it is not only a rewarding and valid choice that all mothers should all feel empowered and supported to be able to make if they wish, it is absolutely essential and for so many of us, the MOST important work we will ever do.

To dismiss the choice and define at home mothers as ‘inactive economic units’ is to miss the world-changing contribution these mothers make each day.

Tell us - how have you found the experience of at home motherhood, and/or taking a career break or pause?

World Breastfeeding Week ➡️ 1st-7th August 2024 🤱

Are you currently breastfeeding? Drop a ❤️ in the comments and let us know how old your nursling is.

❤️ Under 6 months
🧡 6 months - 1 year
💛 1 - 2 years
💚 2- 3 years
💙 3 years +

From the substack article 'Motherhood needs a rebrand' by .homemaker .

Read the full article here: https://onetiredmother.substack.com/p/motherhood-needs-a-rebrand

What do you think? Can "losing ourselves" in motherhood ever be a good thing?

Mothers at home are defined as inactive economic units and as such are seen as a problem that needs to be solved by getting mothers back into the workplace as soon as possible so they can make a meaningful contribution to the economy and society?
But why is caring not seen as economic or valuable?
It’s time to change the narrative!
Do you agree?

The King set out the new government’s law making plans in a speech to Parliament last Wednesday. There were positives for families which include greater rights to flexible working and parental leave. Also good to see support for tenants in the renters bill making it illegal to refuse tenancy to families because they have children or are in receipt of benefit and allowing challenges to the spiralling rent increases.

Housing is an issue we will be focusing on in the coming months and we are delighted to have a father volunteer to join our cause to lead in this area. More to come soon.

There was a lot that was not in the speech. We still have a long way to go to make the choice to care for our own children more mainstream and viable but we are hopeful.

Would be good to hear your thoughts, concerns and hopes.

What are your thoughts?

Just had a baby? On maternity leave?

We love what is saying about the benefits of a ‘career pause’.

Raising children can be a period of personal fulfilment, a deepening of relationships, development of new talents and creativity and an opportunity for growth.

The decision to transition from paid work to unpaid caring is challenging, financially risky and thought of as foolish by many. 

Workplaces were designed for men, a place for unencumbered workers.

Women have been positively encouraged by economic incentives and social equality agendas to fit into this unsuitable model at great personal and family cost.

It is diametrically at odds with the time needed for raising children.

Have you paused paid work for unpaid caring?

Laura Marling has found that priorities change when a baby comes along.

Read the whole article here: theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jul/12/will-i-just-disappear-laura-marling-on-the-ecstasy-of-motherhood-and-why-she-might-quit-music?

What do you think? Is everything else secondary to motherhood??

"The early years are pivotal to our children's life chances - this Government will treat them that way” says new education secretary, . Bridget has pledged to deliver a “sea change” in early years as she called it her “number one priority”. However so far all plans she has shared are concerned with childcare and recruiting more early years staff through a “re-energised” recruitment campaign.

Here at MAHM, we would like to see our new government recognise our children are not a distraction from more important work; they are the most important work. We have laid out three policy asks. We would love to speak with about these. You can help us too! Please speak to your MPs, raise awareness and help us campaign for the choice to care.

POLICY ASK #1
That a child's need for consistent, loving care be at the heart of Early Years Policy.

POLICY ASK #2
Recognition that for many women motherhood is not a 'burden' but a core part of identity and of value to society.

POLICY ASK #3
That families are not pushed into poverty by making the choice to care at home.

💚💚💚

If you’ve appreciated our work over the election season and our ongoing fight for care, please consider supporting the us today. You can do this in a few easy steps!

🎟️ Membership is just £12.50 a year.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Volunteer with us - we have many ways, big and small, that you can help us. Please email [email protected]

❤️ Like, comment and share our social media content - help our campaign to be seen by more people!

A big thanks from the team at MAHM 💚

Mothers need support. Is childcare the answer as Arabella suggests to caring for mothers? Your thoughts?…

The promise of change has captured the moment. The question is what will be the shape of that change?
For Mothers at Home Matter the question is how can we shape positive change for families?
We don’t doubt Keir Starmer is as sincere a family man as any of us. It is equally clear that his manifesto only says part of what they will want to do therefore we hope that it is a moment of opportunity in which a Labour government with a large majority will be seriously ready to listen to new ideas about what real people really want.

We hope the new government will take note of the burden of taxation on families, continue the work to make child benefit fair and re look at how we can open up choice so that families can care for their own children.

I am terribly sorry to lose our friend and ally and also from the House of Commons. Our campaign is not an easy or popular one and finding advocates in parliament has been difficult. We thank Miriam for speaking up so passionately for mothers wanting to spend more time with their children and advocating for the needs of babies and young children. She has raised the profile of this issue and we hope to build on this.

We hope to make new friends and allies amongst the new MPs which I do not doubt we will, many of whom are mothers, because what we are advocating for is a genuinely cross party mission and we will continue to campaign to shape that change.

In the months ahead I would ask you to visit and get to know your MP, find out what they think is best for children, best for families and plant seeds of change sharing our literature to show that choice for families to be able to care for our own children is desirable and positive.
Anne (Chair MAHM)

READ OUR ROUND-UP OF THE POLITICAL PARTY MANIFESTOS ⬇️

https://www.mothersathomematter.com/news/2024-party-manifestos

✨️ It's your last chance before tomorrow's Big Day! ✨️

In the countdown to the UK general election, have you seen our Election Action Pack and Manifesto Summaries yet?

Visit www.mothersathomematter.com/news-2024-party-manifestos for more information on where different political parties stand on childcare, supporting families and choice for parents.

Mothers at Home Matter is the voice for the many mothers who want to be at home to bring up their children yet who are rarely represented in public debate or policy circles.

Read the MAHMifesto in full on our website https://www.mothersathomematter.com/action-pack-2024

SEEN IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD!

Have you distributed your Election Action Pack? Post a picture in the comments, we’d love to see!

Our digital Election Action Pack is available at https://www.mothersathomematter.com/action-pack-2024

Our brilliant ELECTION ACTION PACK is a crucial tool in our campaign to promote the choice to care for our children by equipping you to engage with your local candidates in the lead up to the General Election on the 4th of July.

We know that you, like us, probably have minimal spare time so we’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for you to get involved. You can help by using our Election Action Pack as follows:

1. Put our Promotional Poster up in your local library, coffee shop, or other community space to raise awareness about our cause. Tag your local candidates in a photo of the poster or one of our latest social media posts.

2. Find your local candidates via the website whocanivotefor.co.uk. We’ve created the Policy Cards for you to give to local candidates if they come knocking. You could even pop one in your bag in case you bump into a campaigning candidate at the shops!

3. Ask questions! We’ve created the Question Card for you to use as a prompt if and when you have the chance to ask questions of a local candidate. Search for your local hustings (a meeting at which candidates in an election address potential voters) and please go along! Some hustings require questions in advance.

Finally, we’d love to hear your feedback on what you have heard from your candidates. Politicians who openly support us are thin on the ground - please drop our Chair, Anne Fennell, a line of you have particularly good feedback from a candidate on [email protected]

It’s a no-brained really, families deserve to have the option for one parent to care for their children at home. Children are not a distraction from more important work; they are the most important work.

No thanks to the election being sprung upon us but our tiny team of volunteers between us have been juggling sick children, pregnancy, education, uni open days, school runs among other things and still managed to put an Election Action Pack and Manifesto Summaries.

It's now live and can be found on the Mothers At Home Matter website.

We hope it helps inform and stir you to action while those MP candidates are listening in the lead-up to 4th July.

Election 2024: Party Manifestos — Mothers At Home Matter With all our political parties promising to ensure children have “the best start in life”, where do they stand on early years care, parental choice and the value of family life? (This post does not offer an analysis of these policies nor does it endorse any particular party. It is purely for inf...

Calling all Dads & Grandads!

Following on from Fathers’ Day yesterday, we want to encourage all the Dads, Grandads and male role-models out there – thank you for the part you play in our children’s lives. Our newest Local Ambassador Julian tells us why he volunteers for MAHM:

“I am a father of two daughters (aged 24 and 31) who both hope to be stay-at-home mothers one day but sadly realise that it may be impossible. Conscious of the difference between their circumstances and the freedom my wife enjoyed, 30-odd years ago, to choose to be at home for her children, I felt strongly that I wanted to do anything I could to help the cause of stay-at-home motherhood. I was absolutely delighted to discover Mothers At Home Matter and as a new ambassador aim to help establish a support group where I live. Thanks to Anne and the team for welcoming me on board!”

If you’d like to join Julian in raising awareness of MAHM by distributing leaflets and posters in your local area, we’d love to hear from you! We also need people to write to their candidates ahead of the election and ensure parent’s views and needs are taken into consideration. If you would like to be sent a resource pack and help us spread the word, please get in touch with Becca on [email protected]

Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing Dads out there!!

It’s Father’s Day this weekend and so we’ve dug into our FAQs to answer a common question.

We’d like to say thank you to all caring and hard-working dads and father-figures in our lives.

Pop over to our website to see more FAQs about the work we do:

mothersathomematter.com/faqs

Election season is truly underway! What would you ask the party leaders regarding mothers, children and family?

We’ve thought of a few questions.

What do you think? Add your own below. ⬇️

supports Infant Mental Health Awareness Week and the call for politicians from all parties to

Too often babies are forgotten about during elections. We want babies’ voices to be heard!

We are asking that a child’s need for consistent, loving care be at the heart of Early Years Policy.

The family, and most importantly, the relationship with the mother in this critical early period of development is the most important factor in the long-term emotional wellbeing of the child.

We are passionate about doing all we can to ensure the choice to care for our own children is saved for future generations.

Did you know our membership is just £12.50 for a year? Membership helps us continue to be a voice for mothers wanting the flexibility to care for their children. Check out the link in our bio.

We are currently running our social media (primarily Instagram) with some amazing volunteers, but we need more people to get involved so we can keep being a voice for mums.

We've got a team who are on rota, each taking one week per month. In that week we aim to write three posts.

We'd love for more people to join this team! We'd give you everything you need - log-in details, a how to guide, access to old posts and templates, images and captions to edit and re-use.

This why not take on a new volunteer role that will help us reach more mums feel more supported in their vital role!

Please get in touch with Lauren on [email protected] to find out more and see if you'd like to get involved. We'd be really grateful for the extra help!

This week is National Volunteers’ Week! Mothers at Home Matter is run by a group of passionate volunteers and we are so grateful for each and every one of them.

This week we are launching our newest volunteer role – MAHM Local Ambassadors! Do you want to raise awareness of the support MAHM offers to mums in your local area? Could you give out flyers and posters to local playgroups and libraries? We’d love to hear from you! You can read more about this exciting role on our website here https://www.mothersathomematter.com/ambassador

We want to say a special thank you to Stella, our wonderful local ambassador in Chelmsford, Essex. Stella is a MAHM member and grandmother with a passion for spreading the word locally. You can read more about her reasons for getting involved on the link above.

Please get in touch if you’ve been inspired to join Stella in this vital role!

You don't have to currently be a stay-at-home mother in order to support the cause of Mothers At Home Matter.

My name is Cat and I am a mother of two children: a 6-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl.

(The 📸 shows me and my youngest at just a few days postpartum. 🥹)

I am a MAHM member and I occasionally help out with their social media.

I was training to be a midwife in 2018 when my eldest child was born, although I ended up leaving the course soon after to be at home with him and his little sister (once she arrived in 2020).

I had never planned to be a SAHM but once I found myself in that position, I came to relish the privilege of being the one to look after my children.

My family's circumstances have changed again in recent months and I now work full-time. However, I am so grateful to have had the time at home during the most formative years of my children's lives.

When I was in the thick of it, I didn't always realise what significant work I was doing. When I was breastfeeding around the clock or just trying to keep my toddler entertained, it was hard to quantify.

MAHM is here to remind you that, actually, those things are really important.

Providing a continuous, loving presence at home for your children IS important.

This doesn't mean that there won't ever be the need or desire for a mother to work outside the home, rather that the economic and social value of mothers at home should be more widely recognised.

❓️ Did you know? ❓️

➡️ Becoming a MAHM member also gives you 30% off courses with Career Break People if you do need support with your transition back into paid work: https://www.mothersathomematter.com/what-about-my-career

What do you think?

Is being a stay-at-home mum the ultimate dream?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Full article here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13463475/Stacey-Solomon-reveals-shes-giving-showbiz-career-stay-home-mother-five-children.html

Our statement ahead of the 2024 General Election. It’s all business as usual at MAHM!

We will continue our work lobbying for a fairer economic playing field for families who choose to care for their own children. We will also continue to lobby for the inclusion of stay-at-home parents in early childhood policy, with particular focus on the importance of the mother/child dyad in the early years.

We are not against childcare. We believe that families should have access to suitable childcare that is appropriate to their family situation. We are however very concerned about early childhood policy development turning towards the long-daycare model from 9 months of age, and we are also very concerned that the choice to care for our own children at home is becoming less attainable.

Please get in touch if you would like to help out during the election campaign period, and beyond. Volunteering with MAHM is a brilliant opportunity to meet new, likeminded people and maybe even learn some new skills!

An interesting article on by criticalscience. Read the full article at the link below, or send us a message if you would like to receive the link via DM

https://criticalscience.medium.com/on-the-science-of-daycare-4d1ab4c2efb4

Let us know what you think in the comments!