I am a stay-at-home mom, thanks to watching MY mom, who stayed home with my brother, my sister and me and always said it was a blessing.  I couldn't agree more.  Unfortunately, my brother died when he was only 8.  It was a tough few years on our family, but we grew closer knowing how important family really is.

Growing up, I didn't realize that moms actually CHOSE to work over spending the days with their kids.  It was an odd concept to me that you would want to send your kid to a daycare where you couldn't enjoy your days together.  I didn't come to this realization until I got my first corporate job at the age of 23.  I was floored when my manager had her daughter and chose to put her in daycare at eight weeks old!  It wasn't because she needed the money - she said she did it because she needed a break from the baby!  Sadly, I found that she wasn't the only one who thought that way.  Nine years later when I was pregnant with my first son, I told that same manager that I would not be returning to work.  She responded by saying that daycare had taught her daughter so much socially and developmentally.  Then I told her the story of my brother dying at age 8, and I said that since we do not know what life has planned for us, I was going to spend MY time with my kids and be their mother.  Life is too short not to raise your own child.  I couldn't be prouder of the path I have taken.  Thank YOU for always being there for us stay-at-home moms.

Myrna