Around here, it’s pretty common for moms to stay home with the kids, at least until they are in school. Most of my kids’ friends’ moms stay home, or work part-time so they are home when the kids get out of school. I don’t know how to describe this area—upper middle class mainly, with a generous sprinkling of “rich” people. It seems like a lot of the families around here can have only one working parent but still afford a very nice home, good cars, family vacations, etc. And oh, what I wouldn’t give to go on vacation sometime or have a cleaning lady!
I’m home with the kids full-time, which for us is working well right now. Up until a few years ago, we couldn’t afford it. When we had our third child, the timing was right in terms of income. It also didn’t make sense for me to work full time when my paycheck would only cover daycare expenses.
When my youngest is in school, I will probably look for a part-time job. I don’t really relish the idea of working again, just because I have some really bad memories of juggling work responsibilities with my priorities as a parent. Kids have the worst timing with illnesses. I kind of hope that my mother-in-law retires soon so I can have a back-up if I’m working but one of the kids gets sick. However, it would be nice to be around other adults during the day, get a lunch break, and maybe do something more challenging than sort laundry or build a Lego airplane (not that I’m actually capable of building a Lego airplane).
I do enjoy being here for the kids, especially now that my youngest is in preschool. I’m glad they can come home after school instead of going to a babysitter or an after-school program. I also didn’t really mind being a working mom, other than when each of my kids were very little and caught all the germs going around the daycare center. I don’t believe there is a “right” choice or a “wrong” choice. Whatever works for the family just plain works. I know moms who work full time and are outstanding parents. I know moms who stay home and are clueless. If anyone noticed how long I was composing this, it’s because my mother-in-law stopped by, and then I had to do story time and bedtime with the kids!