Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

Now that they are older, can you look back and say which year(s) you would have wanted to stay home for if you had the option (or if you are/were a SAHM which time you enjoyed the most)?

Now that Ryan's over a year, I think to myself, I would prefer to be home now - rather than the earlier times (5-9 months). While I enjoyed working PT a lot of Ryan's first year, I feel like it's just getting fun. Now with baby 2, I am think, if I could, would I take of his/her first year (if I can work it out), or return to work after my 3-4 month maternity leave and then take a break when he/she is a little older.

WWYD? Any BTDT perspectives?

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

My DS is two, and I feel the same as you, that he is getting to be more fun as he gets older.

I will tell you tho that my sister and I are 22 months apart and she was born in September and since my mom was a teacher, she stayed home that whole year with us and she says that I got more out of that time than my sister did, KWIM?

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

3 and 4 yrs were the best !! I also got to teach her what she needed to know before kindergarden instead of sending her to pre-k

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

This is why I am going part time in July. E is so much fun right now and I don't want to regret missing out on anything!

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

I agree....I actually want to be home more when they are school aged. I want to be there when they come home from school, to help with homework, cook/eat dinner at a decent time as a family and still have time to relax with them.

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

Considering Alex had colic and I was counting the days to go back to work, I would say the 3 year stage is where I'd want to take the most time off. The baby stage is just that - just tending to a newborn, with not much in return. Once they get older it's just so much fun to interact with them and take them to fun places. I make sure I take at least 1-2 days off a month and have a fun day with Alex

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

The first year ABSOLUTELY.. I didn't trust anyone with my kids and it was nerve wracking leaving them when they were bitty, helpless and pre-verbal.

Year 2 was full of milestones and fun.. but I would do year one if given the choice.

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

I returned to work when DD was 3 mos. old. I had absolutely no problem leaving her--especially since we had the luxury of family watching her. Once she was 20 mos. and her sister was born--I became a SAHM.

I feel it's more important for me to be home now. DD goes to part-time nursery school currently and her little sister will be starting a 2s program in September. Most likely they would not have had those experiences if I were working. We're also able to have "real" playdates at this age during the day. They're (well, moreso the 3.5 year old) my little companions. And for me, this is a MUCH more enjoyable age than the newborn period...tantrums, drama and all!

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

This isn't going to help much but at each age, there is a reason to stay home.

Now that my kids are in school (5+), I envy the moms that can arrange playdates, go to school plays, be the classmom, take them to afterschool activities, etc.

At 3 & 4, I would still want them in pre-school because of the socialization factor. I've found socialization in a classroom setting is very different than having regular playdates. I think it's more helpful for them to learn to sit, listen to a teacher, practice writing their name - with the distractions of other kids there. One-on-one, my son was a perfect angel. It wasn't until he was in a classroom setting, getting in trouble & unable to focus where we had some issues come to light.

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

I enjoyed being home for the first year of his life, which I was lucky enough to do. But now that he is starting pre-school in September, and big school the following September, I think its more important to be there at the school pick up and drop off. I think its more important when they are a bit older.

Re: Moms of older children (3, 4, 5 yrs +)

yea i enjoyed being home during the first year. i mean don't get me wrong a lot of things happen after they turned one. but those little baby times go by soooo fast!! i miss that time!! when they get older they seem to stay the same for a while and then they change. when they are babies they change all the time!! that's just me though!