I was on maternity leave for 5 months, went back to work for 7 but could not bear to be away. I was not expecting that! Now I'm a SAHM and could not be happier.

I've done both. Went back to work after 3 weeks when I didn't have a choice financially, and stayed at home for a lot longer when I could. While I liked having them at home, I enjoyed their socialization and contact with illness they received at the day care.

I'm absolutely crazy about my kids, but I both need and love my job. We have excellent childcare that they enjoy, and I compromise by not going out socially without them, but instead spending our evenings and weekends in fun family activities and trips. My husband and I are both in "helping" professions, so I think that watching us in our careers will hopefully teach our girls to be compassionate to others and passionate in their life's work.

As a side note I would rather be a sahm until my children reach school age, but that's not realistic given my field(technology-good luck getting a job after 5 years of not having one), and finances.