Stay-At-home Parent Survey
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1.
Your age:
Choose From List
20 or below
21-25
26-30
31-35
36-40
41-45
46-50
51 and over
*
2.
Marital Status:
Choose From List
Married
Single - never married
Single - divorced
Single - widowed
Separated
Other
*
3.
Gender:
Choose From List
Female
Male
*
4.
Country You Live In:
*
5.
State/Province/Other You Live In:
*
6.
How long have you been a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
0-1 year
1-2 years
2-3 years
3-4 years
5-6 years
7-8 years
8-9 years
10 or more years
*
SECTION II - Setting the Record Straight
There are a lot of misconceptions out there about the level of desperation of stay-at-home parents. Let's start off by setting the record straight.
7.
Have you ever slept with your gardner?
Yes
No
8.
Have you ever had to jump in a pool, fully clothed, to get your children to come out?
Yes
No
9.
Have you ever hidden one of your children in a locked basement?
Yes
No
10.
Have you ever fallen through the floor on the second story of your boyfriend's house while you were snooping?
Yes
No
11.
Have you ever had your spouse poisoned by your pharmacist who was secretly in love with you?
Yes
No
12.
Have you ever had to set a rat loose in your house to get your spouse to clean more?
Yes
No
Thanks for helping us set the record straight!
SECTION III - Insight Into Reality
13.
Understanding that a lot of people reading this book are struggling with the decision to keep their jobs or be a stay-at-home parent, what advice can you share with them to help them make the decision?
14.
In your experience, what is the biggest challenge of being a stay-at-home parent?
15.
In your experience, what is the greatest reward of being a stay-at-home parent?
16.
If you had to make the decision all over again, would you make the same one?
17.
What are some AMAZING things you are able to do? You may not think they are amazing, but other people do. For example, my husband thinks it's amazing that I can eat my breakfast, hold my son's bottle, and read my other son books while he eats his breakfast.
18.
What books or other resources have you found invaluable that you would recommend for stay-at-home parents and parents in general?
19.
Other comments:
SECTION IV - Work Life
20.
Describe your working situation before becoming a stay-at-home parent.
Choose From List
I worked full-time in a job that I considered a career.
I worked full-time in a job that was just a job.
I worked part-time in a job I considered a career.
I worked part-time in a job that was just a job.
I did not work.
*IF YOU DID NOT WORK BEFORE BECOMING A STAY-AT-HOME PARENT, PLEASE SKIP TO # 32.
21.
How would you describe the time commitment to your work during an average week?
Choose From List
I put in well over 60 hours a week.
I worked 40-60 hours a week.
I worked 40 hours a week.
I worked 30-40 hours a week.
I worked 20-30 hours a week.
I worked less than 20 hours a week.
22.
How did you feel about the job you left to be a stay-at-home parents?
Choose From List
I loved my job.
I liked my job.
My job was okay.
I did not like my job.
I hated my job.
23.
Approximately how much money did you take home every month, after taxes?
Choose From List
Less than 500 dollars
500 - 1000 dollars
1001 - 2000 dollars
2001 - 3000 dollars
3001 - 4000 dollars
4001 - 5000 dollars
5001 - 6000 dollars
More than 6000 dollars a month
24.
How did your co-workers react when you told them you would be leaving your job to be a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
They were extremely supportive.
They were supportive.
No reaction
They were not supportive.
They thought I was crazy.
25.
How did your friends react when you told them you would be leaving your job to be a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
They were extremely supportive.
They were supportive.
No reaction
They were not supportive.
They thought I was crazy.
26.
How did your family (parents, siblings, etc.) react when you told them you would be leaving your job to be a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
They were extremely supportive.
They were supportive.
No reaction
They were not supportive.
They thought I was crazy.
27.
How did your spouse react when you told him/her that you wanted to be a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
They were extremely supportive.
They were supportive.
No reaction
They were not supportive.
They thought I was crazy.
28.
How much did you initially miss your job when you became a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
I desperately missed my job.
I somewhat missed my job
I did not miss my job.
Yuck! I was so happy to be away from that job.
29.
If you did miss the job, what about it did you miss the most? Check all that apply.
The work
The people
The environment
The pace
The time away from home
The clothes I had/was able to wear
Lunches Out
Other: Please List
30.
How likely are you to return to work in the future?
Choose From List
Extremely likely
Doubtful
I may go back to work part-time
I prefer never to return to a tradition job.
31.
How likely are you to return to work in the future?
Choose From List
I will return to my previous job.
I will most likely return to my previous job.
I will switch career fields and find a completely different job
I'm not sure at this point.
32.
Do you work out of your home now for income?
Yes
No
*IF YOU ANSWERED NO, PLEASE SKIP TO #36.
33.
When did you start working out of your home?
Choose From List
I started to work out of my home before I had children.
I started to work out of my home after I had children.
34.
How rewarding is the work you do out of your home in the following areas? 5 is extremely rewarding and 1 is not at all rewarding.
Financially
5
4
3
2
1
Emotionally
5
4
3
2
1
Socially
5
4
3
2
1
Spiritually
5
4
3
2
1
Other
35.
If you work out of your home, what do you do? Please explain
36.
Any comments you'd like to add about Work Life?
SECTION V - Giving Back
37.
Do you participate in volunteer activities?
Choose From List
Yes, regularly.
Sometimes
Never
38.
Since being a stay-at-home parent, have your hours of volunteer work changed?
Choose From List
Yes, I volunteer more.
I volunteer the same amount as before.
Yes, I volunteer less.
39.
How many hours do you spend a month volunteering?
Choose From List
0 hours
1-2 hours
3-4 hours
5-6 hours
7-8 hours
9-10 hours
10 or more hours
40.
If you volunteer, where do you spend most of your volunteer time?
Choose From List
My children's school
My church
Other
41.
Being a stay-at-home parent, do you find you have more time to do the "little things," random acts of kindness to make others happy?
Choose From List
Yes, and I do.
Sure I have the time, but I'm busy enough as it is.
No
42.
If you do find time to do the "little things," the random acts of kindness for others, what are some of them? Don't be modest. Remember, this is anonymous. Please describe.
43.
giving back become a priority in your life since becoming a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
Yes
Somewhat
No
44.
If yes, please explain.
45.
Any comments you'd like to add about Giving Back?
SECTION VI - The Family Budget
46.
Since becoming a stay-at-home parent, have your family's finances been affected?
Choose From List
Yes, dramatically.
Yes, significantly
Somewhat
Just a little
Not at all
47.
If your family's finances have been affected, how have you cut back? Check all that apply.
We eat out in restaurants less frequently.
We never eat out in restaurants.
We go out socially with friends less often.
We go to the movies less often.
We shop for clothes less frequently.
We do not go on vacations.
We cancelled services like a house cleaner or gardener.
We cancelled subscriptions to magazines.
We invest less.
We save less.
We donate less.
We sold a vehicle.
We do not remodel the house.
I stopped expensive trips to the beauty salon.
I stopped getting my nails done.
I stopped other pampering treatments like massages and facials.
My spouse brings his/her lunch to work rather than eating out.
Other: Please List
48.
Do you and your family follow a monthly budget?
Choose From List
Yes
No
We try, but don't always stick to it.
49.
Before becoming a stay-at-home parent, did your family follow a monthly budget?
Choose From List
Yes
No
We try, but don't always stick to it.
50.
Who pays the bills in your home now and before you became a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
I always have.
My spouse always has.
I used to, but now my spouse does it.
My spouse used to, but now I do it.
We've always paid them together.
We used to pay them together, but now I pay do it.
We used to pay them together, but now my spouse does it.
I used to, but now we pay them together.
My spouse used to, but now we pay them together.
51.
How has your savings account been affected since choosing to be a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
It's gone.
It's stable.
It's growing.
We've never had a savings account.
52.
How has your investments been affected since choosing to be a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
It's gone.
It's stable.
It's growing.
We've never had a savings account.
53.
How has your credit been affected since choosing to be a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
Our credit card debt has grown since I became a stay-at-home parent.
The amount we have on credit cards is about the same.
We have less credit card debt since I became a stay-at-home parent.
We have never had credit card debt.
The following questions will use a 1-5 scale with 5 being EXTRMELY and 1 being NOT AT ALL.
54.
How stressed are you about your family's day-to-day finances?
5
4
3
2
1
55.
How stressed are you about your family's financial future?
5
4
3
2
1
56.
How much is money a cause of stress in your marriage?
5
4
3
2
1
57.
Have you and/or your spouse found new ways to bring in income since you became a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
Yes
No
58.
If so, what have you and/or your spouse done since you became a stay-at-home parent to bring in more money? Check all that apply.
We eat out in restaurants less frequently.
My spouse got a second job.
My spouse works more over-time.
My spouse got a new job that pays more.
I started a job out of the home.
We get money from a family member for support..
We bring in more money from investments.
Other: Please List
59.
Would you feel comfortable living with your current financial situation for the rest of your life, if you had to?
Choose From List
Yes
No
60.
Any comments you'd like to add about The Family Budget?
SECTION VII - Time for Yourself
61.
How has your credit been affected since choosing to be a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
I had an unlimited amount of free time.
I had enough free time to do what I wanted.
My free time was limited.
I had little to no free time before I had children.
62.
Now that you're a stay-at-home parent, how much free time do you have?
Choose From List
I have an unlimited amount of free time.
I have enough free time to do what I want to do.
My free time is limited.
I have little to no free time now that I stay home.
63.
When do you have "free time" for yourself? Check all that apply.
4-5 am
5-6 am
6-7 am
7-8 am
During nap time
When the kids go to bed
7-8 pm
8-9 pm
9-10 pm
10-11 pm
11-12 pm
12-1 am
1-2 am
2-3 am
3-4 am
While exercising and my children are in day care at the gym
When my spouse comes home
Friday nights
Saturday mornings
Saturday afternoons
Saturday nights
Sunday mornings
Sunday afternoons
Sunday nights
While my child (children) are in pre-school
While my child (children) are in school
During play dates that are not at my home
I NEVER HAVE FREE TIME!
Other: Please List
64.
For those of you who do have free time, who watches your children during this time? Check all those that apply.
A full-time nanny
A part-time nanny
An occasional babysitter
My spouse
My older children
My mother
My father
My sibling(s)
Other family members
My mother-in-law
My father-in-law
Other in-laws
A neighbor
A parent of one of my children's friends
A friend
My children can stay home alone.
They're sleeping, so I'm still with them.
Other: Please List
65.
If you hire a babysitter, how much do you pay?
Choose From List
2-3 dollars an hour
4-5 dollars an hour
6-7 dollars an hour
8-9 dollars an hour
10-11 dollars an hour
12-13 dollars an hour
14-15 dollars an hour
16 or more dollars an hour
66.
When you do have free time, what do you do? Check all that apply.
Sleep
Read a book
Read a magazine
Take a bath
Exercise
Organized sports
Woodworking
Go to the salon for a manicure or pedicure
Get a facial or a massage
Go window shopping
Go shopping to buy
Surf the Internet
Work on your home-based business
Take classes for fun
Take classes for career or personal advancement
Write
Spend time with friends
Go out for a night on the town
Go to the movies
Go to the theater, ballet, or opera
Scrapbook
Stamp
Play a musical instrument
Pursue other artistic interests
Nothing!
Other: Please List
67.
Have you given up any hobbies and/or interests since you became a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
Yes
No
68.
If yes, what did you give up? Please list.
69.
Have you developed any new hobbies and/or interests since becoming a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
Yes
No
70.
If yes, what are they? Please list.
71.
On a 1-5 scale with 5 being EXTREMELY and 1 being NOT AT ALL, how satisfied are you with your amount of free time as a stay-at-home parent?
5
4
3
2
1
72.
Any comments you'd like to add about Time for Yourself?
SECTION VIII - You and Your Spouse/Significant Other
73.
How long have you been with your spouse or significant other?
Choose From List
0-3 years
4-7 years
8-11 years
12-15 years
16-20 years
21 years or more
74.
From the beginning of your relationship with your spouse or significant other, did you both plan on you being a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
Absolutely!
We knew that was what we wanted.
We knew it was a possibility.
I did not really plan to be a stay-at-home parent.
I still can't believe I'm a stay-at-home parent!
75.
. On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being EXTREMELY and 1 being NOT AT ALL, how supportive is your spouse or significant other currently with you being a stay-at-home parent?
5
4
3
2
1
76.
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being EXTREMELY and 1 being NOT AT ALL, how much has your relationship changed with your spouse or significant other since you became a stay-at-home parent?
5
4
3
2
1
77.
If your relationship has changed, in what ways has it changed? Check all that apply.
We are closer.
We spend more time together.
I feel as though I am respected more.
I feel as though I'm listened to more.
I feel as though my opinion matters more.
I have more say over family finances.
I have more say over how the children are raised.
I do less around the house.
There is a greater distance between us.
We spend less time together.
I feel as though I am respected less.
I feel as though I'm listened to less.
I feel as though my opinion matters less.
I have less say over family finances.
I have less say over how the children are raised.
I do more around the house.
Other: Please List
78.
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being EXTREMELY LIKELY and 1 being NOT AT ALL, how likely is your significant other to agree with your choices above?
5
4
3
2
1
79.
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being EXTREMELY and 1 being NOT AT ALL, how much has your spouse or significant other changed since you became a stay-at-home parent?
5
4
3
2
1
80.
In what ways has he/she changed? Please explain.
81.
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being EXTREMELY and 1 being NOT AT ALL, how healthy has the decision to be a stay-at-home parent for you and your spouse/significant other and your relationship?
5
4
3
2
1
82.
Any comments you'd like to add about You and Your Spouse/Significant Other?
SECTION IX - Your Health
83.
How would you describe your overall physical health?
Choose From List
Extremely poor
Poor
Average
Good
Excellent
84.
Do you think being a stay-at-home parent has a positive or negative effect on your overall physical health?
Choose From List
Negative
Positive
85.
How would you describe your overall emotional health?
Choose From List
Extremely poor
Poor
Average
Good
Excellent
86.
Do you think being a stay-at-home parent has a positive or negative effect on your overall emotional health?
Choose From List
Negative
Positive
87.
Since becoming a stay-at-home parent, what positive changes have you made that affect your overall physical health? Check all that apply.
I get more aerobic exercise (walking, running, etc.)
I weight-train more.
I do (more) yoga.
I play organized sports more.
I eat more fruits and vegetables.
I eat less junk food.
I eat out less.
I get more sleep.
I drink less alcohol.
I drink less caffeine.
I meditate more.
Other: Please List
88.
Since becoming a stay-at-home parent, what negative changes have you made that affect your overall physical health? Check all that apply.
I get less aerobic exercise (walking, running, etc.)
I weight-train less.
I eat fewer fruits and vegetables.
I eat more junk food.
I eat out more.
I get less sleep.
I drink more alcohol.
I drink more caffeine.
I meditate less.
I take stimulants for energy.
Other: Please List
89.
Since becoming a stay-at-home parent, what positive changes have you made that affect your overall emotional health? Check all that apply.
My days have more meaning.
I'm making a greater contribution to society.
I have more time for my own personal development.
I am closer to my spouse.
I have more meaningful relationships with friends.
I have made new friends.
I have more meaningful relationships with family.
Other: Please List
90.
Since becoming a stay-at-home parent, what negative changes have you made that affect your overall emotional health? Check all that apply.
My days seem to have less meaning.
I'm making a lesser contribution to society.
I have less time for my own personal development.
I am not as close to my spouse.
I have less meaningful relationships with friends.
I have lost friends.
I have less meaningful relationships with family.
Other: Please List
91.
How do you maintain your energy to care for yourself and your family? Check all that apply.
Coffee
Caffeinated soda
Caffeine pills or other drugs
Naps
Sleep in some days of the week
Go to bed before 9pm
Go to bed before 10pm
Get 7-8 hours of sleep
Healthy eating
Exercise
What energy? I don't have enough to keep up.
Other: Please List
92.
What overall advice do you have for a new stay-at-home parent for maintaining physical and/or emotional health?
93.
Any comments you'd like to add about Your Health?
SECTION X - Household Responsibilities
94.
Who is responsible, officially or unofficially, for the overall cleaning of your home?
Choose From List
100 percent me
50 percent me, 50 percent my significant other
100 percent my spouse
We share, though I do MUCH more
We share, though I do A LITTLE more
We share, though he/she does MUCH more
We share, though he/she does A LITTLE more
We take care of it as a family, including my children.
Supposedly we take care of it as a family, but I do the most.
We pay someone to clean our house.
95.
Since you became a stay-at-home parent, have your household responsibilities changed?
Choose From List
Yes. Now I do everything, or almost everything.
Yes. Now I do much less.
No. I've always done most, if not all of it.
No. I've never had to worry about household cleaning.
96.
If you are mostly responsible for daily household cleaning and maintenance, do you resent this?
Choose From List
Not at all
Rarely
50 percent of the time
Yes
All the time!
97.
Who is responsible for the majority of the meal preparation in your house?
Choose From List
Me
My significant other
My children
Other
98.
Who is responsible, officially or unofficially, for the overall maintenance of your yard/land/plants?
Choose From List
100 percent me
50 percent me, 50 percent my significant other
100 percent my spouse
We share, though I do MUCH more
We share, though I do A LITTLE more
We share, though he/she does MUCH more
We share, though he/she does A LITTLE more
We take care of it as a family, including my children.
Supposedly we take care of it as a family, but I do the most.
We pay someone to take care of our yard/land.
99.
If you are mostly responsible for maintenance of your yard/land and/or plants, do you resent this?
Choose From List
Not at all
Rarely
50 percent of the time
Yes
All the time!
100.
Do you have pets?
Choose From List
Not at all
Yes
No
101.
If you do have pets, what do you have? Check all that apply.
Dog
More than 1 dog
Cat
More than 1 cat
Fish
Turtles
Lizards
Rabbits
Horses
Goats
Pigs
Hamsters
Guinea Pigs
Chinchillas
Birds
Snakes
Other: Please List
102.
If you have pets, who is responsible for the majority of their care?
Choose From List
Me
My significant other
My children
Other
103.
During a typical week, check all household activities that YOU most likely would do. Check all that apply.
Dust
Vacuum
Wash floors
Clean bathroom
Clean the kitchen
Clean kid's rooms
Clean bedroom
Change bed sheets and bath towels
Clean living room
Clean dining room
Clean laundry room
Clean family room
Clean basement
Clean baseboards
Clean light fixtures
Go grocery shopping ONCE
Go grocery shopping multiple times
Prepare most if not all of the family meals
Feed the family pets
Exercise the family pets
Multiple loads of laundry
Mow the grass
Pull weeds
Water the yard
Other: Please List
104.
Overall, how do you feel about your workload to maintain your home and yard/land?
Choose From List
It's too much. I need help.
I'm comfortable with it.
I have it easy; I have to do very little.
105.
Any comments you'd like to add about Household Responsibilities?
SECTION XI - You and Your Children
106.
How many children do you have?
*
107.
What are the ages of your children?
*
108.
How do you think your children feel about you being a stay-at-home parent?
Choose From List
They love it.
They like it.
They're indifferent.
They don't like it.
They wish I would go back to work.
109.
In your opinion, how often should children with stay-at-home parents interact with other children outside the family?
Choose From List
Daily
A few times a week
Once a week
A few times a month
Once a month
I don't think it matters
110.
In reality, how often, on average, do your children interact with other children outside your immediate family?
Choose From List
Daily
A few times a week
Once a week
A few times a month
Once a month
111.
Some people think that children of stay-at-home parents are more shy and apprehensive of others than children who are in day care. Do you think this is true?
Choose From List
Absolutely
Yes, most of the time
In some cases
No, or rarely
Absolutely NOT
112.
If you children are not in school yet, what do you do to give your child the opportunity to play with other children outside the home? Check all that apply.
Go to the park
Go to free organized play groups
Go to paid activities for children
Go to paid activities for parents and their children
Visit family members
Invite children over to our home
Play at friends' homes
Other: Please List
113.
do you think your children have benefited by having you home? Check all that apply.
They behave well.
They are polite.
They excel in language.
They excel in math.
They excel in art.
They excel in music.
We have an extremely close relationship.
They like me having time to volunteer with their school and events.
They like the fact that I am home for them after school.
I know their friends well.
I have become friends with their friends' parents.
I have the time to build a nurturing community around them.
I have more time to help my children with their homework.
I have more time to provide academic enrichment activities for them.
I have more time to travel with my children.
I have more time to visit relatives with my children.
My children know their extended family well.
Other: Please List
114.
What negative effects, if any, are a result of you being a stay-at-home parent? Check all that apply.
My children are overly confident.
My children are shy.
My children do not react to new people well.
My children take me for granted.
My children wish we had more money/another salary.
My children wish I wouldn't volunteer with school activities as much.
Other: Please List
115.
115. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What will your life be like? What will you be doing?
TA DA! YOU'RE FINISHED!
