[Utah Girl]

I salute the stay-at-home moms out there. You all have the hardest job there is, raising future generations to be good people and citizens.

[Hila]

Indeed, staying at home and raising, nurturing, loving, being available to guide and correct is the greatest gift and career a woman may have. I have had the privilege of being home since the birth of our child, now a teen and see the contrast with peers whose parents dropped them at day care centers and after school programs. Why, there is no agonizing over children over careers! The accountability of parenthood is heavy, but more is the love factor; how can we be so deluted to think we have to have two incomes. When mothers are on their own, that's another story and we as a society need to find them in our communities and offer to them whatever is needed to bring them and their children together.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Barring extreme financial circumstances or other crisis, I can't imagine why any parent would dump an infant into daycare. If you are married and you want children some day, you should put aside money so one of you can stay home during the first years.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

But before her daughter was born, she received an unhappy surprise: Her employer gave new mothers only a six-week disability leave.

heard many members voice frustration over their lack of choices

I applaud their choice, but I hope this isn't the start of extended child care leave, or Government regulation requiring part time options.

With all the regulations and requirements in place these days, I'm amazed anyone starts a business.

[Quila]

Unfortunately, what stay-at-home moms would love to have is probably what Germany has -- and most would consider it socialist. You get several weeks before birth (more if the doctor says it's necessary) and I believe three months after birth, not at full pay IIRC. Both company and the health insurance company pick up the tab.

As further incentive to be a stay at home mom in the early years, there is something called Erziehungsurlaub, where the mother (or father) can stay at home for three years, with about $300/month (less or nothing if income is high enough so that the family can afford a stay at home parent anyway) from the government to help cover the job loss and health insurance coverage. After this, the kid's expected to be in Kindergarten and the parent is supposed to go back to work because at three years the benefits stop.

[ghostcat]

I wish my wife could afford to be a stay at home mom, but with the government taking all those taxes out it is impossible for us to get by on just one income. We have been fortunate enough to be able to work it out so that one of us is always home for our children. We work opposing shifts. I work days and she works 4 tens on swingshift.

[LoneGOPinCT]

Mrs.LoneGOPinCT is a stay-at-home mom for our son and daughter. She has one degree already and is a semester or two away from a teaching degree is she so desired. When our son was born, she selflessly decided to put her career aspirations on hold for the good of our child (now children). She could easily be making $40-50K per year with either one of her degrees if she wanted to. And when our youngest starts going to school (whether it's present #2 or possible #3), she may decide to go back to work.

I don't know how she does it! But she says she wouldn't trade it for anything. We take great pride in being able to take responsibility (for better or worse) for raising our own kids. We couldn't imagine shipping them off to day care every day just so we could have that second income to make the BMW lease payment.

Anyone who says that they can't afford to have one parent stay-at-home is just not willing to make the sacrifices for their children. Like us, they might have to live with hand-me-down living room furniture, or forgo they weekly trip to the movies or out to dinner, or even get a second part-time job. I did break down and buy her a minivan recently (it nice to have the room!) but only because we had the extra money. If we really had to we could go down to one car thus saving a lot more money. Granted it would be inconvenient, but if we had to do it we could.

Anyone contemplating staying at home with a current or future child, by all means do it. It's amazing all that I miss out on during the day. Mrs.Lone is there to experience it all, which has been trying lately, but rewarding nonetheless. Plus you can raise your kids they way they are supposed to be raised. By their parents.

[MasonGal]

I feel very fortunate that I have been able to be a stay-at-home mom to our 3 sons for over 19 years now. (Our oldest son will be 19 this coming Sunday-my, oh MY - where HAVE those years gone?) Anyway - I have also been a homeschool mom for 10 years now.

I realize that many women are unable to stay-at-home. However, I feel so fortunate to have been able to be "at home" all these years.

Also - I feel as if I am in the minority these days, but I actually enjoy the art of homemaking. :)

[goodnesswins]

I SO wish I could have stayed at home when my son was young. It is one of the greatest of my regrets that I was unable to do so. (Long story.) I salute women who stay home and DO THE JOB (as opposed to a certain, un-named female I know who stays home, but doesn't lift a finger for her kids.)

[Bryan24]

I have an Associates Degree(2 year, Electronic Technician). My wife has a BS in Computer Science. She worked at Boeing for 5 years. When we adopted our kids (a newborn and an 18 month old) we had decided years earlier that she would not work.

It cut our take-home pay in half. We survived. Easily. Not because we are rich but because we know what is the RIGHT thing to do.

Now my wife cannot fathom going back to work with children at home.

IT IS A PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO TEACH, NURTURE AND BRING UP THEIR CHILDREN. DAYCARE CENTERS HAVE NO PART IN THAT.

[pjd]

I was a stay-at-home-dad. When my daughter was born, I took the first year completely off while my wife went back to work. The following years, I set up a situation so that I could work at home. Dispite this situation, I was still able to become head of a multi-national scientific research corporation.

I have had many proud accomplishments in my life, but I still regard my days as Mr.Mom as far and away, the most satisfying and rewarding of all my days.

[ColdSteelTalon]

I think that women who get out of the work force to take care of their children are doing the nation a great service. They can raise their children precisely the way they need to be raised, rather than letting a total stranger do it. Besides when they get out of the work force it will allow men to make more since they will be in higher demand, and this in turn will help make it easier for women who want to stay at home and take care of their children.

[MozartLover]

When my youngest was about 3 or 4, we were out taking a walk & happened to pass a day care center. He asked me what it was, and when I explained, he was astonished that other little children did not stay home with their mommy like he did.

Now that all three of mine are in college I am more grateful than ever for the time I had with them when they were small.

[gunnedah]

I admire,respect and think you all are the greatest.

[Andrew Wiggin]

When my wife first brought up the idea of staying home to take care of our children (a couple of years before we actually had any), I thought that she was nuts. Did she honestly think that I was going to work all day while she lazed around watching soaps? However as we talked about it, it made more and more sense. As far as lazing around, I think that she may very well work harder than I do. Our 29 month old son and now our 1 month old daughter have never - and will never - set foot in a day care.

It has certainly been a struggle monetarily at times (I swear my wife is on first name basis with the owners of all the consignment shops within a 10 mile radius), but well worth it when I come home every day to the perfect child (and now the perfect children). There has been no 'terrible twos' for our son and our pediatrician is dumbfounded on how advanced he is on his checkups. Our success to date has naturally lead us to the decision to home school.

My wife has also become an entrepeneur in her spare time, and her business is doing so well we are hopeful it may allow me to stay home as well by the end of the year.

Let me add my agreement with the poster who noted that more mothers (or fathers) staying home to take care of their own children not only make America better by raising better children, but also by lowering the labor supply and driving wages up. This will allow more parents to stay home on one salary, a wonderful 'vicious' cycle.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

That decision to stay home with a baby for at least a year is becoming more common.

I know quite a view adamant career women who made the same decision. I believe it is the correct decision. Proof that there is still hope for us.

[Chemnitz]

God's blessing to all mothers who stay at home to raise their kids. We also must have understanding for those who are forced to work due to circumstances beyond their control.

Real men support their families and go without to make sure their children are raised by their mother and not by a rent-a-mom.

[zeaal]

I am one of those moms that did not develop a career prior to starting a family. No maternity leaves, no benefits, nothing from the stand point of business. The kids are older and I am nearing the completion of day in day out stay at home mom business ... kids are in late high school. Now, my challenge that the kids are all most all growed up and looking towards college is to create a resume and consider seeking employment. What to do? What to do?

Would never change a minute and I encourage moms and dads considering a stay at home parent to DO IT! It is remarkable and of the greatest benefit to the kids.

PS ... I have been "the" name on everybody's emergency number on their kid's school forms (most of the time I was not even informed that I was), I am the mom that gets a call from a neighbor or friend to run their kid lunch money to school when they forget it, I am the one that gets a call from a mom that is stuck in traffic to pick her child up from school ... all I ask is that when I do .... just say THANK YOU.

[Aggie Mama]

I've been SAH since the birth of my son 5 yrs ago. He was definitely unplanned, but I knew even back then, that I could never stick him in daycare. I gave up a career as a financial planner to SAH. Are there days when I wish I could prance around in an Ann Taylor suit with my Coach briefcase? Absolutely, but then there are times right now, when I get to see the kids playing happily with each other, and I know that my time with them has been worth it.

[The Good Hunter]

According to the Census, there are 1.9 million stay-at-home fathers in the U.S.

I hope that they are offered as much support and respect as stay-at-home mothers are...

...even as working women want to be accorded as much crediblity and respect in the workplace as working men are.

Check out: SLOWLANE

[chance33_98]

Bump for SAHMs!