Good for you on both not over-scheduling and managing your daughter's life and not feeling guilty on being a stay-at-home mom. Every family, every mom, should be able to chose what works for them without being judged on it.

I worked part time when Shelby was little (16 hours a week) and was able to make it work; but I am in a career (nursing) that offers an extreme amount of flexibility on shifts and hours. I was working PRN, which meant I not only got a higher rate of pay, but that I could pick and chose on a weekly basis the shifts that worked for me. With the nursing shortage the way it's been for years - and will continue to be for years to come - this was nice. I'd work a Friday or Saturday night shift, Jeff and Shelby and I would all go have a nice breakfast together, then I'd go home and go to bed and Shelby and Jeff would go do something fun for the day. I'd get up about 3 and we all might go out together and do something. It worked for our particular family situation.

And for years I took heat from people on both sides of the mommy debate - either because I wasn't at home ALL THE TIME or because I wasn't at work ALL THE TIME. The pressure's crazy for women on the issue no matter what they chose. :-(

Red