No regrets on my decision to stay home!

I became a housewife after my child was born for religious reasons. It is hard work taking care of children, a home, and caring for your husband too. I felt a little spoiled by the working atmosphere because at work there are clear definitions of what's supposed to be done and whether or not you're doing well--and there's a weekly reward, a paycheck. At home, lines are not clearly drawn, and the rewards are not evident at first.

After three years of finally being at home, I am much happier than I thought I'd be. I am getting used to being in charge of running my home, caring for my child, and managing my time. The hardest part was being social, since my friends were all still working. I have found I don't need nearly as much social interaction as I thought, and that there are soo many wonderful moms at community center indoor parks, library storytimes, and moms I've just 'run into'.

Being a housewife is something ANY woman can do. There's all those rumors that some women are just better at a 9 to 5 job, but it's a load of hooey! In fact, women who are good at work DO have some trouble adjusting to home life, but in the end turn out to be better than those of us who were 'naturals' at it later on. Home work is challenging and requires creativity, ingenuity, loads of intelligence, and patience. These are all qualities that women are best at---and women who excel at their jobs have in abundance. I would say that if you are having a hard time adjusting, stick it out!

Remember, there have been hundreds of thousands of books written on child-rearing and to this day nobody can really tell you what you're supposed to be doing with children! Once you've freed yourself from those confines, staying home becomes fun, rewarding, and the best years of your life!