Questions & Answers

more once baby is in your arms. Just be comfortable with whatever you choose.

I stay home and it took us years financially to be able to do it (lived with my parents for 4 years). Personally I wouldn't have it any other way even though it's a tough job. I always swore that if I had kids I'd stay home with them but that's my personal belief. I think everyone has to go with what's going to be best for the kids and if that means you working, then that's what you need to do. It's not about what is going to be more fun for me because my kids come first, otherwise I'd like to escape off to work plenty of times :) Right now I'm sort of starting to homeschool my almost 5 year old and even with me at home, I don't know what it's like to sit on the couch, honestly! But if going to work will make you a better mommy for your kids the rest of the time great. It's only a decision you can make. I don't know how moms who work do it when they get home, but then I wonder how I manage it some days! Good luck, and I'm sure you'll do what's best. You'll figure it out (cont

Also, like Eluria88 said....working and pumping/breastfeeding can definitely be a challenge!

I am a stay-at-home mom with my 1-year-old. I worked until I was 37ish weeks pregnant with my son. We had managed to get our bills low enough so that we could make it on just my husband's income. I wasn't making a huge amount of money, but we thought we needed it. Turns out we didn't! We sat down and did the math, and realized that 75% of my paycheck would be going to childcare anyway! After realizing that, I wasn't willing to make such a small amount while sending my kid to daycare.
It's a very personal decision though, and only you and your family can decide what works best for you! There are definitely days that I feel like I'm going to lose it, but when I have those days I try to remind myself that there were far many more days while I was working that I hated being stuck at work too! At least at home I have the option of going on a walk with the baby, strolling around the mall, playing outdoors, etc!
I hope you are able to work out an arrangement that works best for you!

I didn't really have a choice since we couldnt pay rent unless I went back, and I ended up going back when my son was 2 weeks old. I wish I could have stayed home with him, I was exhausted, sore, emotional and my milk coming in was painful as my breasts were engoraged constantly, I was only able to pump twice on a 10 hour shift. If I could have I would have loved to stay home the first year or even 6 months at minimum, or maybe even just work part time. If you have the money I suggest staying home the first year. I felt like a terrible parent for leaving my baby at 2 weeks but we needed a house to live in.