A recent Pew study finds that regardless of income, stay-at-home moms who do not work outside the home at all, report more sadness, anger, and depression than moms who are employed. About 65% of mothers work outside the home full or part-time, and 40% of moms with children under 18 are now the sole or primary breadwinner for their family. Social interactions with other adults, work responsibilities that offer intellectual challenges, change of routine, break from the kids, work success that builds self-esteem, all play a valuable part in making work psychosocially valuable to working mothers. Perhaps stay-at-home moms can supplement their childcare and home responsibilities through volunteering at school and social organizations, or find a part-time job that can offer the supplemental benefits of work.

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