Need Some Reassurance!! :/

They are only tiny for a short time. We have sacrificed many many things and a comfortable lifestyle that we once enjoyed when I did work full time. But since the birth of my daughter, I have quit my job and am staying home with my daughter. We miss the money, the security and the perks that came along with it, but they are small prices to pay for the opportunity to be with my daughter every day in these early years. But if your career is as important to you as family (which it is for many), I would suggest you do it. Your friend is probably an excellent care taker, and perhaps a pseudo member of your family already. Good luck with your decision!
K.
http://kellyis.stayinhomeandlovinit.com

I have to go against the grain here. I think that mom and dad taking care of the kids is the best for the family. Having a friend to care for them is good but having mom and dad is irreplaceable. Your children will only be children for a very short while. If you can hang on just a little longer until they go to school I think it would be more beneficial for your family than any other scenario.

The previous respondent nailed it and gave you good tips. Heed it wisely. As a fellow "Mom"... since your kids ARE 2 and 3 years old.. they could go to PRESCHOOL versus a 'daycare' setting. This is a good option, depending on your comfort level. Again, your comfort level... it's natural to be nervous about sending your kids to someone else for care-taking...but they are at the age when they would benefit from "outside" stimulation and activities...and it would provide another kind of positive 'learning experience' for them, and social development and interaction with other kids...which will provide a nice lesson in social and group dynamics, AND how to follow instruction from another "authority figure" (ie: the teacher)... which they WILL have to learn sooner or later. Your job... is to research and talk with, and interview and do site visits with any school setting or daycare setting you are thinking of. Ask other Moms... word of mouth is always a good lead. Preschool is the avenue I took with my girl, and I waited until she was 3 years old to enter her. It was the BEST decision for her, she LOVED it and gained so much and learned Great things there! Everyone is different, your job opportunity is exciting and great... find peace in your decision and your children will blossom in the right setting, even away from you. This is all part of development. It's exciting for all...kids DO look forward to preschool or seeing other kids... they adapt and really like it. It's 'fun' for them. Good luck!
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo

edit: I like to reread and see what others have to say, as well. In doing so, I noticed that there seems to be a popular misconception that "preschool" and "home daycare" are mutually exclusive; not the case. I used to own a large commercial center and my program now is more structured, educational, rewarding and MUCH more loving and personalized. There are plenty of qualified preschool teachers who do in-home care. I do agree, however, that there are plenty more who do in-home care as a way to make a lazy, quick buck. But parents who do their homework will recognize the difference. Please be careful about too many assumptions. Professional childcare providers are not "babysitters." And the other truth is: Children who will be attending public school NEED academic/social readiness (preschool), or they will simply be at a disadvantage when they end up in a 20:1 ratio. I agree that a parent staying home with an infant is ideal; but a quality daycare-preschool program is a valuable ENHANCEMENT to the family - not to be confused with a "substitute." We have MANY resources to share with parents, who really need professional advice, experience and support.

Jamie, I'm a childcare provider (without openings, so I'm not trying to promote myself). I'm posting a link to an article I have at my own website. Read the whole thing; the first paragraph suggests the opposite of what the article concludes. http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/887196/study_stokes_l...
There are some great in-home providers and LOTS of others. Childcare can be extremely rewarding to your children and family; it can also be detrimental. QUALITY is key. Watch out for "fakers." Use your own instinct and common sense (e.g.: If they're doing transportation, how is it affecting naptime, meals, curriculum, free play?) A center can be preferable for some, especially preschool age; but they are pricier, have high turnover, and lower-paid staff. CA has pretty minimal licensing standards, IMO. I think you would do best by seeking referrals from trusted sources first. Check with DSS/CCL to check specific providers' records: ###-###-####. Make sure your provider can very directly and confidently answer questions about schedule, behavior management, nutrition and childcare philosophy. Personally, I would steer away from the "Timeout: 1 minute per year of age"-type providers; I think that's lazy, impersonal and damaging to children. Make sure there is a written schedule, daily report, policies and some kind of curriculum (curriculum is IMPERATIVE for behavior issues). Also, make sure your husband is involved with the childcare search; you have to be on the same page and make decisions together, IMO, especially being the first experience. See what's out there before you decide. Weigh your peace of mind into the decision. I have some links to childcare-seeking checklists and other info on my website's last page "Links & Free Stuff." I'm personally available for advice/opinions, as well.

The best to you,
J. Smithson
Loving Hands Learn 'n' Play
http://www.lhlearnandplay.com

P.S. In case you were wondering, right now is our naptime. :-)

Jamie you can do it ,go for it. Besides your kids are grown a little and you've always been with them at home. If you are not comfortable with in-home daycare which I never liked unless it's with someone I trust so much then you can go with day care centers or preschools which is also going to help your kids get ready for school.Good job opportunties like this comes once in awhile so take advantage of it now.
Note; Just know that GOD a father to little children and HE will never let any harm come near them.
I am a mother of three beautiful kids; a 6month old, a 3year old and a 5year old and they are always in the day care cause we have to work.

I'm going to state honestly, I didn't read the fellow responses before posting this (Except Suzy M, which I just want to mention, she placed an unwelcome comment on MY request, I did not appreciate it, and felt it rude, as with the one she posted for you), but as a full time working mom, I can say my 2 year old son LOVES PreSchool!!! He started in a home facility day care setting with a few other children when he was just 10 months old. He quickly acclimated and loved the interaction with other children. Three weeks ago he went to a PreSchool setting, with LOTS of other children, similar ages, loving teachers, and lots of activities, and he LOVES it. The way I see it, the preschool is offering him a lot of things I can't give him. At home, sometimes I'm so tired I don't play with him like I should, or we don't go outside, etc. I'm a good mom, and I know that, but I feel preschool gives him opportunities I cant, as well as GREAT interaction with others. He has the BEST manners I've ever seen in a 2 yr old, he listen's great, he doesn't cry when I leave him, and it leaves me time after school to cuddle and play without worrying if I'm doing enough for him. I think that it's a great win-win situation where you can be adult and have pride in your work, your children can have a great experience at a preschool or daycare that leaves you more fun time, and not so much stress.

I do reccommend Preschools tho, a little more educational, and more structured, and usually more activities, although daycare CENTERS will do the same, but are more expensive. Look at your options and make sure you visit a couple to get the right feel for the facililty.

You are really lucky to have a good friend watch them. I am a daycare provider and all my parents are very secure. I have a mom who is also a teacher and is going back to work and will be leaving her 7 month old with me. She is a nervous reck. I take lots of pictures for her to see he is happy and sleeping. I gave her a reference list for her to call all my current moms and dads to talk to them. Any benefit that allows you to have more family time is worth a little nerviousness. Good Luck

That is a tough decision and really a personal one. It sounds like there will be more family time which is wonderful, just not as much one on one time with you and the kids and then your DH and the kids. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for you and your family for the future and that does have to be considered, and that's what makes it such a personal decision. What you are willing to give up and get in return for the decision and if it's worth it to you. For me I probably would not do it unless 1) the chances of an opportunity like that is rare and couldn't be found in a few years when I'm truly ready, and 2) if the money would be significantly more very soon in the future, and I mean very very soon. I am a SAHM for a few reasons and one of those is that the amount of money I could make would only be enough to pay for daycare for my kids and for us and our family we feel that if it's at all possible for one parent to be home at all times with the children it's the best thing. I have worked since becoming a SAHM when it was needed, but like you guys it was opposite my DH's shift so there were no daycare expenses. Unless I make a good deal more then the daycare expenses are then I would feel as though I was paying for someone else to raise my kids because there is nothing gained from it if that makes sense, no extra money to make a better life for them or any other incentive to make it worth it. But, like I said....that is us and our families choices. There is absolutly nothing wrong with you taking the job to better your families future and give you more family time now. Just make sure it's what you truly want and what will work for you. I am with some of the other ladies as to the daycare option though. Although that is wonderful of your friend to watch them and you know and trust her (big plus), if I had to do it (I've had to before when there was only 1 child :]) I personally would but them in a daycare or preschool so that they would have the added benefit of socialization which is important. On a side note and something to think of too, if the reason that you'll be earning more in a sense in a few years is because you won't be paying daycare expenses once they are in school, remember that there is vacation time that you'll have to have daycare for then (although of course that will be astronaumically less :]). Whatever you decide is the right decision, if it's right for your family and everything will be great. Good luck to you :)

Good for you! Stay home with those babies, there is only one you and you are all they want in life!! You will all be happier for it.

You definitely made the right decision to stay home!!! Your babies need you way more that your boss would! Good for you!!!!! :)

I think you definetly made the right decision. You only have one shot with your kids and it is important to be with them in their formative years. Material things mean much less than time and love--they will grow up to be better people for your effort.