Today I found yet another reason why I stayed home with my babies, and why I encourage other moms to do so.

The boys and I have been praying for new children to watch.  Our baby girl that we've had for a year and a half will be leaving us in a few weeks (sniff * sniff * sob * sob*), and so will our supplemental income.  God is aleady answering our prayers.  Today we started caring for a little girl about two-years-old.  We will have her one to two days a week.  Her mom has been leaving her in childcare at the new "temple of pleasure" for kids.  (It's a childcare center where kids can do whatever they want--take classes in everything from sports to cooking to computers, play video games, sports, exercise . . .  you name it, they have it.  I really hate these places.  No offense meant to those who choose to utilize them, but I have serious reservations about anything where my kids get to indulge any interest or pleasure they want. But then again, I'm from the school of thought that believes they need time to be kids, dig worms out of the dirt, and play in the backyard. Crazy, I know.)

Anyway, the mom and I were briefly discussing payment this afternoon (we had already discussed it prior to me keeping her, but we were going over it again) and she mentioned that at the "temple" she was paying $400 a month.

Huh? I thought.  That's less than I charge a week for a new baby.  Then she told me that was for two days a week.

TWO DAYS!! That's $50 a day!!! And she was only leaving her for a few hours most days!

Andy you get the added bonus of your baby catching every bug that comes through the joint.  What a deal!

So I'm thinking . . . church, wake up!  Let's end our differences about moms working or not working.  Let those who choose to work spend their money employing moms who want to stay home, paying them well (at least what you would pay a daycare).  Your kids will get better care, fewer illnesses, and you'll be helping build the church through moms who want or need the quieter, simpler focus of building people and homes instead of careers.

Please do not read into this any comparison of "better" when I talk about a quieter, simpler focus.  I have come to realize that part of the reason God has me home is that I am so easily distracted and overwhelmed, that the busyness of a working woman's life would surely pull me away from Him and my family to our detriment.  It is best for me to be home.  It is best for my children.  I do see some circumstances where friends of mine are working, and it seems to be God's best plan for their families.  I'm still trying to work through what scripture says and means in this huge issue, so for now, I'm allowing for women to make this decision based on their conviction from scripture and based on God's quality of grace.  What I'd really like to see, and the point of this entry is mutual support within the church as we each live by our convictions.  We don't have to agree to trust God to direct each other and to encourage each other to do what we believe is biblically right.