>I can understand the appeal of staying at home with kids, and therefore wanting to become an independant (particularly if you're concerned about daycare though I will say that kids are far more adaptable than we adults and I believe good for socialization skills!). But with one exception, nobody addressed the kid issue of your reason to want to go independant. I bet they were either single or childless. The majority of childcare still falls to the woman. And time at home is not the same with kids. You will DEFINATELY have to hire someone to help (and that may wipe out some of the benefit...or at least one your professed reasons for wanting to stay home). But even then, BEWARE! If you're in the house, your kids will find you unless you install a vault (again, personal experience).



I figured I'd have to hire help, but I'm more comfortable hiring someone to take care of the kid while I'm there than leaving the kid with someone.


>One other observation. I don't know where you live. But your salary does seem low to me. You might find another company with more $$$ and benefits and flextime/telecommuting option would serve your purposes. Several of my female colleagues began working 4 days a week after their kids were born, and that seemed to work out really well for them. Hint: the federal courts/government might be a place for you to investigate. The benefits and vacation time are certainly superior to what you have now.


If I could find a job that allows telecommuting, that would be a good possibility. I've been thinking of another one, too. People have said to do subcontracting to get practice. Why couldn't I just keep doing that? Then I wouldn't have to worry about my lack of business skills. :) I don't know how plentiful subcontracting jobs are, but I got two offers just from this thread, and I wasn't even looking.

Lots of possibilities.

-Michelle