Dr. Laura:
My husband and I have one son who is now 15. We decided when he was born that I would be a stay-at-home mom and my husband would work. I loved every minute of being home with my son. When he was three, however, my husband asked me to go back to my teaching career, so he could work part-time in the evenings. I agreed.
But three months into that school year, my husband got an offer for a different part-time job with hours during the school day. He really wanted that job and suggested I could bring our son to my school's "pre-school" several days a week when he had to work. I reluctantly agreed. That was the most stressful year of my life. Our son did not like the preschool. He refused to talk there and would kick his chair and not nap.
I quit my teaching job after that school year, and my husband's part-time job turned into a full time one. I again got the joy of being a stay-at-home mom. I did return to teaching when our son was in the second grade, but during that time, it was hectic and no one was making our house a home. My husband retired two years ago and now he's a stay-at-home dad. He's there when our son gets home from high school, and he helps him with his homework and makes us dinner.
Looking back, I see how stressful our lives were when we were both working. Although teaching hours are only seven hours a day, there are always papers to correct, lesson plans to write and more. Today, my husband and I are much happier, and our house truly is a HOME. Thank you for continuing to look out for the best interests of children.
Janine
