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Wow, it really says that? That seems really insulting.

I do think that being a SAHM isn't for everyone.... but I have my masters and I'd much rather stay home then work. I'm much much happier here. And it's not that I didn't like my job, I loved it. I just love being home with LO more.

I have a PhD in a biology field and while I do some part-time work, we've been moving around and have another baby on the way so I'm a fully SAHM a lot of times too and probably will just keep a relaxed schedule the next couple years. There's a lot of people who honestly seem horrified that I'd choose this path and don't let up on the conversation, even when I bluntly say how much happier I am.

I don't really get the bored comment and think smarter people are less likely to get bored, there's so many things to do and learn. Sure there's some tedious tasks when staying at home but we have lots of technology in this day in age to make tasks less tedious. When I worked in the lab I'd have some days of sitting in the cell culture hood for 10 hours a day or in front of a computer plugging data into charts, there's not much more tedious than that. Tedium is in every field.

I'll go with that old saying, "only boring people get bored." I have a great time with my 6 month old - I love watching her discover and learn new things. You also need to get out and find things to do and friends to make -they don't come to you. I couldn't imagine working all day, having my entire salary go to daycare costs and miss out on so many things. It's a personal choice for sure, but I can honestly say I don't miss going to my old job everyday.

I got a lot of flack when people at work found out I would not be coming back. To the point where people, including my boss, tried to talk me out if it. It's nice to feel wanted but I think it was more from a place where they thought I was wasting my intelligence by staying home. Lame.

@scg00387: Having been a SAHM and now a WOHM I find myself defensive no matter which position I'm in. We moms simply cannot win!

As a SAHM I was told I should be contributing financially, and J should experience daycare to "socialize" (I hate that reason).
As a WOHM I'm told that all moms should be SAHMs and be with their kids.
As a WOHM with a nanny I'm told the same thing about daycare.

It's so annoying! I am defending myself no matter what. Why is there so much pressure on us as moms?!

I know successful, educated women who love staying at home and less academically gifted women who hate it and long to be back at work! Its all about your personality, really. I make no excuses for the fact that I long to SAH!! I am capable of achieving anything I put my mind to but the point is I want to spend my time home making and raising my child. Im still holding out for that lottery win....!!!

@scg00387: Interesting. I wonder if that was her change or her editor's (I suspect the latter). In any event, I agree with her assessment of why the 37yo might be unhappy--she's been trained to believe that she should be!

Do you like the book? I didn't have much use for the early chapters due to when I bought it (which is why I wasn't such a fan...it was all redundant of other books I've got, only wordier), but I'm going to re-read the parts about 3-6yos. I think her subheadings are fairly useful.

@scg00387: My favorite is Suzuki's "Ability Development From Age Zero". http://www.amazon.com/Ability-Development-Suzuki-Method-International/dp/0874875803.

It's got a bit of a Japanese flavor, but I admire some of the more traditional Japanese ideas about the family unit, so that wasn't off-putting to me. (I am definitely biased in this regard. I saw those ideas in action during a homestay as a college student and the way my Japanese family interacted with each other is something I try to emulate in my own family.) I think his ideas translate well into American life.

Most of the rest of the books I have enjoyed recently are specifically about education. If you're interested in homeschooling (K-12), let me know and I would be happy to share the books I've been reading. (Sorry to get so far off topic--I didn't mean to thread-jack!)

I have been on both sides, staying at home and now returning to work. I worked for a long time before having my son, so I kind of feel like I have to "defend" the choices I make because it really didn't make sense financially for me to stay home (I make a nice salary, more or less equal to my husband). The 2 years I stayed at home were difficult for me, but I chalk that up to being in a place far from home, not really knowing the local language and not having a support system.

@Mrs. Jacks and @Navy_Mommy: my son is being raised by a village of loving people, including his parents, his grandparents and day care workers. I am thankful that he has so many wonderful role models in his life and I wouldn't have it any other way.

@scg00387: And I don't think that was necessarily the intent of the comment either. I just wonder if we get so intent on defending our position that we forget that the other option is equally valid. Most of my best friends in town are stay at home parents, and I have great admiration for them!