No child benefits from a mother who never develops any interests or activities outside of her own children. But this choice can be particularly problematic in an age when 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Women who make this choice must rely on the security of a strong and healthy partnership. Refer to my article, Becoming Parents in the Making Healthy Families series for a discussion on valuing the work of nurturing equal to the economic needs in family life. With the increased choices, women like yourself who chose to devote their full energy to the home and care of their children do not get the support and respect deserved.
Women everywhere grapple with how to best provide for their children.
However, women and families vary widely. No one answer will ever be the only right answer. What really matters is that your choice is the right one for you and your children. Although your work does not bring in a dollar figure, do not mistake its true value. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment.