In an Oprah.com poll, more than 15,000 women—both stay-at-home and working moms—opened up about their feelings on motherhood. Here are the results.
What stay-at-home moms say:
Did your mother work outside of the home?
62% Yes
38% No

Does staying home put financial strain on the family?
57% Yes
43% No

Do you wish you worked?
36% Yes
64% No

Do stay-at-home moms get the respect they deserve?
5% Yes
85% No

Overall, are you satisfied with the job you are doing as a parent?
80% Yes
20% No

Would you describe your children as happy?
97% Yes
3% No

Do you secretly feel like you are cheating or failing your children?
36% Yes
64% No

Do you secretly feel like you are cheating or failing yourself?
55% Yes
45% No

Do you feel selfish when you consider your needs for personal or professional fulfillment?
54% Yes
46% No

Do you feel judged by family, friends or other moms?
56% Yes
44% No

Are you angry or disappointed about having to choose between work and your children?
25% Yes
75% No

Did you feel prepared for what you are now having to navigate as a mother?
44% Yes
56% No

Do you think parenthood is more or less stressful than it was when you were growing up?
83% More
0% Less
17% Same

Overall, do your children have a better childhood than you did?
63% Yes
10% No
27% Same

Is it possible to give 100% to motherhood and a career?
71% Yes
29% No

On a scale from 1 to 10—1 being poor and 10 being excellent—how good a job are you doing as a parent?
0% 1 poor
0% 2
1% 3
1% 4
6% 5
9% 6
21% 7
39% 8
18% 9
4% 10 excellent

How much help do you get from your spouse?
45% As much as I need
36% Some, but I wish it were more
13% Very little
5% None

What's more difficult, staying home with the kids or going to the office?
72% Staying Home
28% Going to the office

What's your household income?
7% Less than $20,000
15% $21,000 to $40,000
20% $41,000 to $60,000
17% $61,000 to $80,000
14% $81,000 to $100,000
26% Over $100,000
If you had to choose only one, of which would you like more?
32% Time
49% Money
19% Help

Which word best describes your mood as a parent?
23% Happy
16% Satisfied
36% Hectic, but content
5% Hectic, not content
12% Overwhelmed
3% Guilty
5% Anxious

What working moms say:
Did your mother work outside of the home?
68% Yes
32% No

Would you quit to stay home with your kids if you could?
66% Yes
34% No

If you work outside of the home, do you have to for financial reasons?
91% Yes
9% No

Do stay-at-home moms get the respect they deserve?
17% Yes
83% No

Overall, are you satisfied with the job you are doing as a parent?
71% Yes
29% No

Would you describe your children as happy?
93% Yes
7% No

Do you secretly feel like you are cheating or failing your children?
55% Yes
45% No

Do you secretly feel like you are cheating or failing yourself?
62% Yes
38% No

Do you feel selfish when you consider your needs for personal or professional fulfillment?
55% Yes
45% No

Do you feel judged by family, friends or other moms?
43% Yes
57% No

Are you angry or disappointed about having to choose between work and your children?
55% Yes
45% No

Did you feel prepared for what you are now having to navigate as a mother?
48% Yes
52% No

Do you think parenthood is more or less stressful than it was when you were growing up?
85% More
4% Less
11% Same

Overall, do your children have a better childhood than you did?
60% Yes
17% No
23% Same

Is it possible to give 100% to motherhood and a career?
61% Yes
39% No

On a scale from 1 to 10—1 being poor and 10 being excellent—how good a job are you doing as a parent?
0% 1 poor
0% 2
1% 3
2% 4
7% 5
14% 6
23% 7
35% 8
12% 9
4% 10 excellent

How much help do you get from your spouse?
39% As much as I need
33% Some, but I wish it were more
11% Very little
17% None

What's more difficult, staying home with the kids or going to the office?
52% Staying Home
49% Going to the office

What's your household income?
6% Less than $20,000
17% $21,000 to $40,000
20% $41,000 to $60,000
19% $61,000 to $80,000
17% $81,000 to $100,000
23% Over $100,000

What would it be if you didn't work?
31% Less than $20,000
23% $21,000 to $40,000
22% $41,000 to $60,000
12% $61,000 to $80,000
6% $81,000 to $100,000
5% Over $100,000

If you had to choose only one, of which would you like more?
43% Time
43% Money
14% Help

Which word best describes your mood as a parent?
17% Happy
12% Satisfied
41% Hectic, but content
6% Hectic, not content
14% Overwhelmed
5% Guilty
4% Anxious

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