Well first off it is not an easy thing to do, especially, when you have a two income family, then it cuts to one. It is a huge step. I stayed at home for a year with my last child. My son AJ. I have two other children, but the option to stay home and raise them at that time was not one. I noticed real soon that it was hard taking care of a newborn and a 1 1/2yr old, and a toddler. I sometimes never wanted to get out of bed. That was several years ago, I somehow made it. Today, my oldest is 11 and will be graduating in a few weeks from 6th grade. I am so proud of her.

All it takes is a lot of patience, time, perserverance abd a whole lot of TYLENOL. lol

I am considering this. We are expecting baby #3 in August. Our oldest will be starting school. I look forward to reading the opinions here.
Great topic!

I don't know if you could say I took the leap or it just happened that way. I had lost my last job due to a reconstructure, then found out I was pregnant. And it just happened that I didn't look for work after our son was born. It was tough to start with, but we survived. Then I found out I was pregnant with our daughter. We've had our ups and downs, but we're still kicking. And I've started my own business too. Not necessarily to make a complete living with, but more to just help out, and because it's something I enjoy doing.

Hey ladies - I wish I could take the leap - I wish I could just walk away after 18 years with my career - IT's been lucrative - I have two children - very young -and collectively thus far, we've paid well over 60k in childcare - geeeze - isn't that a trip?
Without family out here, we've had to rely on ritzy, over priced care facilities for our children -
I wish I could just walk away, but my family depends on my great medical benefits, etc. and especially the salary - and let's not forget the retirement benes...
Jobs are a blessing - But my work and doublduty as a mom is terrific -
I often say that I leave work to go to work - I cook wholesome meals everyday - I'm always making a meal plan - easy to do menus that are healthy and wholesome - That's the great part - the cleaning is okay - and hubby, who doesn't work, does dishes - and that's it - bathrooms/bedrooms/laundry left up to me -
I'm tired - anyone else out there tired too? I closet-envy girlfriends who lay up and have it easy and their hubbys bring in the bacon --- so special.
I feel I can't relate to them at all --- I end up ptalking 'shop and biz' with their hubbys and sometimes I feel I can relate to them more -
eventhough everyone has kids - and oh, did I mention I have a biz too?
wooo - somebody talk to me! ha ha ha lol!

SOMETIMES IT JUST TAKES SOMETHING FROM WITHIN....

I am a working mom with three kids ages 2 1/2 and younger. My twins are the eldest and I have a 16 month old daughter all in daycare. It is super expensive, but I am just not fit to be a stay at home mom with toddlers. I stayed home with the twins during my pregnancy with baby girl, and I couldn't wait to get back in the business world. I missed networking and getting out and connecting with others, even if it was about the kids or a business deal.

After a whirl-wind of a year in 2007, in my early days of recovery from major depression and a hysterectomy, a surge of energy & passion overcame me to start taking steps toward making my dream a reality. I read books, researched articles on the internet and started my business plan. I knew that if I wanted anyone to take me seriously, a business plan would be necessary. Just as I was completing my recovery from surgery, I found a new job, closer to home and less stress, so I felt like I had a fresh start with my renewed energy and view on life. I was in a very dark place and the sight of sunshine was such a nice change for me.

My husband was supportive of my idea. With out his support, I could not be doing this venture. I also sought out others I knew were women entrepreneurs to find out how they did it and what they would do differently. I talk to everyone about what I am doing, because you never who has resources to assist you. Whether it be a tip, discount on something or exposure, you just never know. My husband gets a little aggravated with me b/c I am always working. I know, I know...there should be a line drawn, but if I'm out shopping and the situation or discussion lends to a comment about business or resources, I will tend to ask or tell about my business.

I officially began selling cards in January of this year and just added mothers day and fathers day cards to my website. In my four months of being open, I am already noticing a shift in who I thought would be main customer base or focus on marketing. You have to be flexible and realize that the only constant is change.

angelice
www.geminigreetings.com

For me, taking the leap was a necessity. We had tried the overpriced childcare, along with getting them involved in everything possible to use as additional childcare so we could get our work done. We realized that between school and childcare, and activities, other people were basically raising our kids. Since someone had to be available to take kids to school and pick them up, I quit my 70 hr a week job.
It has been tough. It takes a long time to replace that paycheck when you're just starting out working for yourself. It also takes investment of time and financial resources. It doesn't happen overnight.
All in all, it has been well worth it and I absolutely love working from home. I just don't want to give the wrong impression. It can be very lucrative, but it doesn't happen overnight. The good thing about it, is I have more flexibility, which is what we needed, and the money is coming in. I haven't totally replaced my salary yet, but it's rising all the time. We are thankful!

My husband lost his job and I needed to contribute to the family income. I wish that I could say that he now contributes more to the household choirs, but anyway, I just did not like the thought of someone else watching my 4 year old twins grow up and paying them to do that. I took the leap and joined the MOM Team. Wellness and health and prevention have always been an important part of my life and therefore, my family's. This was the perfect fit. I started in February and it is going good. It is a home business, so you have your good days and your bad days, but it continues to grow month after month. And the support is amazing. It is worth it to be able to see my sweeties grow bigger and say the most amazing things every day.

Hi, it's me again. I thought it rude not to mention the website address to check out the MOM Team if anyone is interested, sorry about that. Visit www.RatherBeHome.com.

Wow, these posts sound like me!! I haven't formally introduced my self...so I guess I will now, and tell you a little bit about me. My name is Angela and I was in the Accounting profession for 16 years and through 3 kids. My kids are now 3, 6 and 11. I too was paying those crazy daycare rates, $19,000 LAST YEAR ALONE!! Ugh. So, about a year ago an acquiantance told me she staretd at home based business, I told her no, not for me. She then said they have a great skincare product, would I like to try it...sure who doesn't want to try "great" skincare products...I am a girl, right? So, she called me to drop off the sample and I had a really bad morning that day....My 11 yo missed the bus, my 5 yo stomped his foot and said he wasn't going and the little guy had a runny nose. Needless to say I was frazzled by 8am, just like so many other days. So, when my friend came by I started to ask about what exactly she did. I don't know what at that moment made me take the leap of faith, but I did. I signed on the next day...me, level headed accountant!! I figured, hey I will earn a little extra cash, no harm. Being in corporate America for so long made me take this as a business not a hobby and within 3 mos I had started making enough money to cut my office hours back to 20hrs per week...I thought I had the life....this is the perfect mix, I am thrilled!! So, then a few months later the summer comes, working moms know how much summer care is.....rip off!! So, I cut back further to 12 - 14 hours per week. I stayed around 14-18 hours for the next year and I was happy. This year came and my home based business was slowly growing....I only invest 10-12 hours a week into it and that is just fine with me. I did my taxes and it hit me, if I just focus a little more on my homebased business maybe I can compensate for what is left of my office salary. I did....and I just left my job April 30th. I am thrilled to be home, I feel I truly have the best of both worlds. After being home so long, I don't know if I could handle not working at all. I have one on one time with my 3 year old...and he loves it too!! So, my point here. Don't limit yourself. Think outside the box!! I had always read books/articles by Donald Trump and he said you need your money to work for you....not you working for your money. We are taught to go to school, get goods grades and get a good job in coporate america. This is not our only option.

OK...This got way too long, sorry!! If anyone got through the whole thing I appreciate it. As you can see I am passionate about the fact that there are other options out there that can make us lead fuller/happier lives. I am by NO MEANS, saying that there is anything at all wrong with working full time...so don't take this that way. I am just saying if you, like me felt like it was your only option - realize it is not.

Angela
My website