My husband works full time, but his job doesn't pay like it used to, and he often comes home early. I am just working at McDonalds, but I am going 40 hours a week including saturdays, and they are pressuring me to be a manager, even though I have told them the hours they would want from me wouldn't fit my families. My boys are still adjusting to their new school, and their behavior is showing some issues. (Especially my "oldest" boy) My daughter, who is turning 4 in december, is clingy to me, when she used to be so independant, and I am not only exahusted, but resentfull, my husband had offered to go on the road and earn more money, and let me stay home with the kids. At our old place, I knew every class mate and parent, and was very involved with PTO and everything I could be, now, I haven't got a clue, and the kids know it. I am really struggling with this, I wouldn't mind working part time, but this is draining me. I really wish he would either find a higher paying job, or work a few extra hours at a part time job so I could go to part time. We aren't in this for money per se, just want to pay off all of these credit cards and burn them, and get ahead (eventually) on our mortagage. When we signed up for this house, we were earning a lot more money, now, basics are hard to come by, and I feel like all of the money I earn goes to the daycare and gas tank. Any insights or advice? I've been married for 9 years, and nothing has ever been as hard on our marrige as this.

I read in a book once that staying home was worth it because of the fact that all of the money you earn goes to daycare and gas. So really you are just paying someone to raise your kids and you are putting miles on your poor car. LoL! It is only worth it if you have some high falootin' job. I will admit it's not easy in this day and age to stay home! But it is so worth it to see my son grow and change!

I work my @$$ off so my wife can stay at home with the lil ones! Do what makes you happy and your children! I can tell you this your daughter will learn more from you than a daycare. :)