Two articles have shown up at my virtual doorstep in the past couple of weeks with very different takes on being a stay-at-home parent. One article was from a mom who talks about the costs of being a stay at home parent and her regrets about leaving the paid workforce. Another article was by a woman who quit her law job, which she hated, focused on her kids and her passion for baseball.

How do we reconcile those two stories? I think we can’t. I think when it comes down to describing life as a stay at home parent, it’s very much of a YMMV.

Well, let me try harder. Both women say that they loved spending time with their kids. The woman who quit her traditional job, used the time to transition to a new career as a sports blogger. The blogging job probably doesn’t cover the mortgage payments, but she finds it fulfilling.

If you find yourself outside the traditional workforce for whatever reason — disability or caretaking needs or age — there are ways to create a new life with purpose. My dad retired ten years ago, and quickly transitioned to full time work running a food pantry. Other SAHP friends are teaching spin classes, writing for local newspapers, running sports organizations, driving meals to old people, starting small businesses. When the kids are in school, there are plenty of opportunities to do interesting things.

So, my advice to fellow parents, who have stepped out of the traditional workforce, is to be interesting. Not so hard, right?