SAHM or Working Mom?

I was a SAHM after my sweetie was born until she was four years old. We struggled to get by and often had help from my parents, in addition to child care. I do not regret being hom with her, nor do I regret working for a living. I just feel like I do not get to spend enough time with her because I also go to school full-time, so whenever she looks at me in the right way, I drop what I am doing and spend some time with her.
I may get a little less sleep or have to pile up the workload some, but it's worth it to make time for my girl.
While I would love staying home and working there or just being with my girl, I would not mind it the least if my husband stayed home and I worked instead. Not at all, because he cleans house and dotes on his girls. I know I could trust him to learn the intricacies of laundry eventually. ;)

Staying home with children is a natural and healthy thing. However, it's not a mom-only responsibility. I believe that either partner should be able to stay home and care for them. Has anyone else tried this?

Could anyone explain why the most common phrase in the converstion about stay at home mom and working mothers is the concern of "being raised by someone else"

I am a firm believer than not everything works for everyone. Some women choose to work and some choose to stay at home. I feel like either way is contributing to your family and as long as you are making a contribution then you are making a difference. I have chosen to be a stay at home mom for my two boys. My oldest is 3 years and 5 months and my youngest is 8 weeks. I love seeing all their firsts and being their for them every time they need me. I loved being the one to teach him the ABC's and the one who taught him to count. However, being a stay at home mom isn't all rainbows and lollipops, I can be tiring and stressful at times. I would tell any woman who is trying to be a stay at home mom that is is definitely full time and you don't get many breaks. There will be times when you feel like you NEED adult interaction. There will be times when you feel like if you fold another towel or clean the bathroom one more time you will explode! There have been times when I have just went to my room and wept after a long day of two grumpy kids but I will tell you this...I wouldn't trade it for anything! I love getting hugs all day and I love cuddling with my newborn! It's quite a fullfilling job!

I have been called selfish by a working mom before because I don't contribute financially. Well, like my husband says..."You contribute in ways of the heart and that is much more important than money will ever be!" YES, I HAVE A GOOD MAN! :)

Now I know why those of us who work sometimes feel as though we are being judged by SAHMs. I'd love to be able to stay at home with my child, but I'd also love to be able to help put a roof over his head. It's not as though I am working to buy expensive "toys" or have fancy clothes or go on vacations. I'm working to be able to put food on the table. My husband has a disablility, and the option will NEVER be for him to be the breadwinner.

I say if you can do it, and want to do it, go for it! But, don't judge those of us who are working. I know that I am not a bad parent and that my son is very lucky to have a close relationship with both me and his father. I often feel like mothers who stay at home with their children think they are better mothers than those like me - even though I know they would never admit it, they imply it in everything they say. It's all about what's doing best for YOUR family. Even when my son has had to go to daycare, I know that I am not letting strangers raise him and I know that I have not abandoned him.

I'd love to stay at home with my boy, but I'd like for him to have a home to live in!

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!