You stayed home with your children, and your wife didn't respect you? That's rather sad actually.
I got layed off 15 years ago and decided to take a little time off while on unemployment. I made a little side money and helped take care of her mother and sister who moved in with us.
No, my wife did not respect me. Even though I held up my end of the load, her daily having to go to work grinded on her and she started making comments by month 2. I was off 6 months and heard about it for next 5 years whenever she would get mad.
Its the only 6 months I was out of work since I was 16 and I am now 50. So, yes, in the end, your wife will NOT respect you not working no matter what they say at first and mine was all for it when I started.