I do have small children at home, and initially, I had thought I would stay home til the last one got in school then go back to work myself. But the last two or three years, I have decided that I will probably stay home during the teen years as well. My kids will probably be so busy with sports and afterschool activities (and me running around to those activities) that the time when they are at school will not be totally down time, but time for me to do the housework, etc, so I can spend the rest of the time with them.

Besides, most of the time, a regular job isn't quite the same hours as the kids. There are some nights and weekends when you may get called in. There is usually time in the morning or afternoon when you aren't there but the kids (and friends) may be. And THAT is the time when they can get into trouble (uh, I'm speaking as someone that DID get in trouble all the time! LOL! I consider myself an expert in the subject. I like to say that my kids won't be able to get away with anything because I've been there, done that. teehee!).