stay at home or go to work?

I am a new stay-at-home mom. When my husband and I first got married, I told him that I would not stay home with the kids because I would be bored! When I got pregnant last year, my view completely changed. I agree with you in that I do not want someone else raising my children. I want my children to know me! ;)

Both i even stay at home and also go to work

Things were different when my children were young. Most girls left work as soon as they married, but some kept working until family arrived. I didn't know of any mothers who worked. Today things are very different. For one thing, society and people's expectations have changed. Fifty years ago, couples were happy to live in a flat for a few years when first married, and gradually built up to having their own home. Nowadays, it seems most couples want their own home with all mod cons as soon as they are married. I am not criticising young people in saying this. Things have changed. I had five wonderful sons and I would not have wanted to be apart from them during their early years (or later years for that matter). Motherhood is one of the biggest privileges and responsibilities in life and I think it is a full time job. Having said that, I know several mothers who work because they WANT to work, rather than out of financial necessity. That is their choice. I must say that in most of the cases I know, they do give their children QUALITY time after work, and possibly give their children much more security and love than many "full time" mothers. The children are not disadvantaged in any way. I would have to say that I also know of families, some where the mother works, and some where she doesn't, where the children do NOT receive the love, security, training and discipline that are vital to normal, happy development to maturity. I know of children who are badly neglected, undiscipled, lack security and are poor learners. I guess what I am saying is it isn't a matter of whether or not a mum stays at home as a full time mum or goes to work. It is a matter of the quality of the time, training, love and security given to the child when she is home. Congratulations to all those mums who manage both. MY preference was to spend my time with my children, but your case may be different and very likely you are a better mum because you have other interests.

I am a stay at home mom & have been for almost 8 years. My girls love that I take them to & from school. They know that if they get sick that I will be there to take care of them. They get to do a lot of after school activites because I am able to take them. This is important to me & I am glad that I am in the postion where I can stay home with all 3 of my girls.

I prefer to stay at home because you feel more at ease I know when i was working i had to send my kids to school sick just to keep from getting fired but you know what i wised up quickly I said enough is enough by kids will be gone and that job will still be kicking. I am now able to pick my kids up from school and not have them go to an afterschool program where they are there all day long not really knowing if they were recieving adequate attention or not. I definitely to prefer to stay at home but I do realize people have to keep a roof over there head so I dont knock anyone. Both can be hectic but once again I prefer to stay at home.

I have a one year old daughter, and I am a stay at home Mom. Ok, to be perfectly honest I didn't really have much choice in it - I have been on disability for a number of years now due to a health condition. But that said, even if I was able to work I still think I would prefer to be a stay at home Mom. I love being able to spend all this time with my little girl! I think I am SO priveleged to be able to do this! I really feel sorry for Moms who would love to stay at home with their kids, but are unable to because of finances. I think that if I put my little girl in childcare I would actually be jealous of the childcare workers for getting to spend all that time with her and me not being able to... Please don't get me wrong - I DO need 'me time' and I do feel quite isolated sometimes - but those feelings are greatly outweighed with how much I love being here with my baby. Having said that, I think that it is different for different Moms. Maybe if I hadn't been off work for a few years before I had my baby I would have felt more isolated staying at home as a Mom? Different people have different temperaments, and I can understand that some Moms need the pace of work life to suit their temperament and to keep them sane! I don't believe that makes them any less good a Mom as a stay at home Mom.

i would have loved to stay home and watch my kids grow up. but of course i worked for 20 yrs now that im unemployed i do not want to go back into the work force.

I don't have any children, but even if I had I don't think I would like to stay at home... I like that both my gf and I work, that gives us more money to do whatever we want. Even though it requires that a stranger spend a few hours a day with my child. I would still spend most of the hours with him / her / them. But that might all change once I'm in the position right :-)

I think it's very important to be with your children during the early years of their life... full time. When they are old enough for nursery, it's a good lesson to them that they cannot always be with you, and they have to build their own character a little. Then, when they go to school, there is nothing wrong with dropping them off at school and going to work part-time, say until half an hour before picking them up to go home. It gives your life more substance and the child will still have the security of your being there before and after school. Good luck... you seem to have a very sensible, maternal head on your shoulders and you'll give your children the best start in life they could ever ask for.

When my kids were all little I stayed home with them. I did babyset other kids for extra money. When my youngest started school is when I started working outside the home. I never liked leaving my kids with babysetters or in a daycare. I perferred to be home with them. It is those first few years of their live that is soooo important.

it depends!some prefer work while some prefer to stay at home.