jnbythesea...you are so right. This is the hardest job. I can't think of any jobs that require round the clock attention and working even when you are sick and tired-all the while with a smile plastered on!

I had always known that I would stay home. When I was still working, we sat down and did the math. I was bringing home only about $800 a month after taxes and the expenses of working. So we moved in with my Dad (nightmare!) and paid off all of our debt and saved for a down payment for a house. I haven't worked in 7.5 years. I will go back to school next year when my youngest is in kindergarten. I'd like to go back to work eventually but I've told my husband repeatedly that I want to be as available to the girls as possible, especially as they grow older and become teenagers.

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Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you. ~Oscar Wilde

I had my twin boys late - at age 35 - after working in the corporate finance field for 13 years. We moved when I was pregnant, so I did not get a job right away. I stayed home with them for 18 months, but found that I was bored and that taking care of their basic needs (feeding, washing, etc.) was very draining. I didn't have enough energy left to enjoy them. I went back to work @ 20 hours per week as a consultant (with a very flexible schedule) and it is perfect. Yes, I am making less money than I could with a full time career, but I really look forward to spending quality time with my children (now there are 3 of them). My older two are now in first grade and my youngest (age 3) is in a really good Montessori school.

we chose for me to stay home because my son was entering school and i wanted to be there before and after school and do the activites and volunteer also i would have to pay for 2 full time in child care and 1 in a before and after school program it was not cost effective at all and i feel we did make the best choice for us it has been a blessing.