I read what someone else had posted about being a stay at home mom and missing the career and the paycheck. VERY TRUE.

I gotta say tho, I worked two full time jobs AND was a full time nursing student when my first son was born until he was a year and a half old. I was busy busy busy and I thrived in it. I had a second son and I have been staying home with him for the past 2 years (he just turned 2) and this is THE HARDEST JOB EVER! I think having the obnoxious boss breathing down your next and telling you what to do is somehow easier then motivating yourself to do the dishes that are neverending or the laundry that somehow sneaks it's way out of the basket and dangerously close to swalling you whole!

I can't imagine how I used to do it all - and then I see my son playing with his kitten and giggling, or trying to ride his bike with the pedals, or running around playing "super Ethan" as my older son walks in from school and another day has flown by... I realize I spent the WHOLE day watching him and admiring the beauty of a child - how could a paycheck compare to this??

And to the stack of dishes and the looming threatening laundry  I sigh and say- - there's always tomorrow!

Jennifer,

How true you are. I too worked full time until my second child was born and I thought I thrived in my work until my kids came along. I always worried about meeting the work deadlines and pleasing everyone. When I started staying at home I realized that playing and interacting with my children and just enjoying them in their innocence is WAY more important (and harder) than any "REAL JOB" could ever be.

If something doesn't get done during the day like the dishes or laundry, there is always tomorrow or just a bad weather day to accomplish it!! I can't imagine going back to work, especially now I have 4 kids 4 and under and I wouldn't want to miss a part of their youth.

Thank you for posting something that is so poignant and true for either side of the debate!!

I have 3 children, Hayleigh 5, Jordan will be 4 in april and Noah 18 months, I worked a full time Job until I was about 6 months pregnant with my 2nd child. I didn't realize how much I missed out on hayleigh until jordan came along. Being a SAHM is the most difficult job there is but it is also the most rewarding. Devoting all of you time and your attention to your kids is the best gift that you can give them! There is nothing better then the very first time you child walks up to you all on there own and gives you a big hug and says I love you mommy without being prompted! It is the absolute best feeling in the world! My son told me the other day" Mommy I just love looking at your face! You are the best mommy in the world!" to think that if I were working I could have missed out on little moments like that. I could not imagine going back to work until my kids are in school full time.