New here and thought I'd put in my .02

Hi I have been reading a lot of your post and thought I would just throw in some of my own input.

I came to this board thinking "I don't really see why it needs to be debated in the first place" because I really believe everyone needs to do what works best for their own family. I still feel that way, but I can see a lot of points that are debatable obviously or this board would not have post with hundereds of replies.

I have been in both situations. I worked when both my oldest 2 children were younger and then when I got pregnant with my 3rd child I stopped working mainly because the cost of daycare for 3 young children would have made working not even worth it finacially. I was really apprehensive about being a SAHM, because I enjoyed working, thought I would be bored at home and I knew my children were thriving at the preschool/daycare I had them at. In fact I kept them there on a part time preschool basis and they sometimes used to ask if I could please go back to work so they could go there all day. LOL. I have been staying home now for nearly 6 years and I have loved it completely and still doand my children now love having me home. My dh and I agreed originally that I would go back to work after the youngest went to first grade. Now I am not so sure. I did want to say that after being in both shoes I think I work harder (physically) as a SAHM then I ever did as a working mom. Mainly because when my kids weren't home for several hours out of the day they didn't have as much time to make as many messes. Also when I recently had surgery and dh stayed home for a week and took care of the kids and the house he said he was exhausted, because he didn't work this hard at work (btw-he does help out at home some too) I didn't have the heart to tell him that he didn't get a lot of the stuff I usually do done. Now as far as mental work, I think that is why I spend time on the internet. I miss the mind work. I am not saying that staying home is a mindless job, just sometimes it gets mentally boring. Not always mind you, just sometimes.

For me I have decided that be a SAHM is more benificial for both my children and me. I may work part time later on, but I want to be home when my kids are home for many reasons.

Thanks for reading

Leesa