Well, unless one is independently wealthy, that's mostly what education is for. Because if you don't get it and since most employers require it, you're left working crappy jobs.

That's just a fact.

The fact that you get something else out of it is only a plus, not a requirement.

And yes, your children are only young once, but that doesn't make it a reason to stay at home UNLESS YOU WANT TO AND YOU CAN AFFORD TO DO SO OR YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION DICTATES THAT THAT IS THE MOST ECONOMICAL THING TO DO.

I don't feel like I missed much of my children's youth (and they are still 4 and 5 1/2) because I worked most of it. I enjoy them when I am with them and I enjoy my work. But my main reason for working right now is that I HAVE TO.

If I could have stayed at home until they were in school full time, I would have. Then I would have went to work since sitting home all day isn't really my cup of tea, even if I kept myself busy with housework or what not. I'm not domesticated and never was.

And many women find the same thing - they get fulfillment out of both work and children. Others get it from one or the other.

It's about CHOICE right? Not whose the better mommy. Or whether someone wants to be a mommy.

A SAHM is no better and no worse on average than a "working" mom. That depends on the individual mother, not whether she's at home or not.

And a woman is not less of a woman if she decides she doesn't want children.

No mommy wars, thank you.