Reprinted with permission from Staying Home: From Full-time Professional to Full-time Parent, Copyright (c) 2001 by Darcie Sanders and Martha M. Bullen, Spencer & Waters
Many women think this is the toughest decision they’ll ever make: whether to stay on the career fast track, or to turn their backs on the workplace and head for home. Although it can seem that way, the decision to become an at-home mother is not as black and white as it appears. There are any number of possibilities-- from taking a few month’s leave of absence, to staying home for a year or two, to staying home until all your children are in school or longer--and these decisions can be modified at any time. Often a woman does not make the decision to stay home until her second or third child comes along.
When starting to think about choices, it is important not to let parenting experts or society's expectations dictate what you ought to do. You must make decisions that are compatible with your own personal and family goals and circumstances. You'll be much happier in the long run if you take the time to evaluate your options and choose what is best for you.
