From working mom to a stay at home mom.

I felt the same way and was fortunate enough to be able to stay home with mine for several years, until the youngest started school. I think the early years are the most important and you miss so much if you're away at work all day. I remember, when my son took his first steps, he did it for my sister who was babysitting him because I still worked back then. It really hurt to miss that moment so enjoy the time you have with your kids. They won't be young forever.

I rather stay at home with the kids although it's definitely more work than a real job, lol. I still work from home occasionally. That adds to the stress. We could have a nice house and cars, the newest gadgets and probably go on vacation twice a year if I would work, but I rather be sure my kids are well taken care off. No career could give me that peace of mind that I have now.

I feel the same way! The world is so dangerous these days and lots of crazies out there, even in the child care industry. I don't trust anyone other than myself or my husband to take care of our child. He and I are very protective of her. We would never put her into daycare, except in an extreme emergency.

Well, when I had my children, two girls now 2 and 3 1/2 I only expected to stay at home until they were both 2--like right now--but now that Im at that point it seems more than worth it to be a mother to my kids rather than someone else. I am the only person that knows their likes and dislikes, their fears and insecurities and can act on those things that help them feel comfortable. I do take them to the local YMCA and they go to the babysitter there but its not like they get any one on one time. When looking at Daycares I was scared when walking into one I hear this lady yelling at the kids to shut-up and that was alarming. This was not the only place I went but the alarming thing was is that it seemed like just anyone could get a job watching your kids and it didnt look like people that really cared for my kids but just wanted a job. Now Ill be honest when they were both still infants or even just 1 year old it was aLOT of work and I WANTED badly to get a job but I get have a job overnight, 11pm to 4AM and while it worked at the same time it didnt because I was too tired for my kids. Seeing your kids soo happy to be with you is priceless. Now were taking trips to all the state parks, new parks, everything outdooor, picking blackberries and raspberries and they've seen a beaver, baby deer, baby foxes, dragonflys that fly right up to you, a monarch butterfly--you dont get this experience in a daycare!! Another thing Im not a big fan of is that children can become too grown in a daycare coming home with attitudes that they learn from other kids or words--I've experienced this with my stepbrother when he was younger and I just want my kids to hold on to that innocence as long as possible but also understand things around them that they dont learn in preschool. The love you recieve from your children is so rewarding.