Dr. Laura:

It was hard being a stay-at-home mom for the first few years.  I was a big advertising executive, and now I was changing smelly diapers, with no secretary to do what I asked.  You and my husband were among the only people who gave me credit for doing what I was doing.

Please tell all the struggling stay-at-home moms that they might not get rewards now, but wait until their kids graduate from high school.  When my son graduated, many of the moms were crying, because they "lost out" on all the time that was gone.  They were upset because they couldn't go back and spend the time with their kids that they had missed out on.  I was crying, too, but not for the same reason.  I was crying because I DID spend that time with him and didn't miss out on a minute.  I was there for all the good times and bad times, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Some moms said they wanted their daughters to be proud of them because they were working women.  But the daughters told me they didn't WANT a CEO - they just wanted a mom.  When my son walked down the aisle to receive his diploma, I didn't have regrets for the time I couldn't get back.  My son will graduate from college in a few weeks, and I'll cry again, not for lost memories, but for knowing I had something to do with who he is today.  

Kara