[JanH]

It's funny how the society pendulum swings back and forth...when I chose to stay at home in the 80's I actually had people tell me I was wasting my brains! I overheard my MIL have to defend my choice at a funeral! I couldn't believe society was condemning me for staying at home. Nowadays, I think it is more balanced. I would hope that each side gives props to the other. I personally would stay at home again. But it can be isolating and lonely for adults. Depends on your circumstances, family and friends with kids nearby. If the post is more about the financial cost, we had to do with less in order for me to stay at home. We had a lot of flack about that, too. We couldn't buy a house and other things others had. It was our choice. I guess I got mostly fed up with people criticizing my right to choose and not appreciating that I had made a choice good for ME. I got defensive a couple of times and thought that kids shouldn't be in daycare. But I know a lot of kids who did very well in daycare. Sometimes, it is about finances, sometimes personal happiness, sometimes other reasons. I try not to take sides anymore. I just want the kids to be taken care of and loved.