There may be/have been "man-hating feminists" - I don't know any.

Thank you, Ebbie. Last I knew I didn't actually hate any men with the possible exception of the shrub, but I don't think I even hate him, just would like some instant karma to descend on him, very soon.:-)

This is such an old,old struggle...the working mom. I was supported by the state when I had two little children and went to school for a year for my EMT certificate. When I went to work, the state paid my babysitter for the first three months; then I was on my own. Without help from family and friends I would not have made it and staying home was NOT an option.

Then, a few years later, after a second marriage was over with, I was a single mom with three young ones; I had help from the state for about three months while I looked for a decent job.

Off and on, from then on, I was working because we could not make it otherwise. Then, even when Rog and I got married, I had to work. When Rog and I moved East, I told him I had to stay home with the kids for a couple of years, at least, as they and I were leaving all that we had known in our lives, family, place, etc. and we agreed they would need me at home, esp. as he travelled about 90% of the time.

When they were a little older and we moved to a small town which was safe and everything was close by, I went to work part-time. They were in school all day and I was home when they got home or shortly after. For the rest of their time at home, I was there most of the time, working only part time and not enough in the most recent past years, say fifteen, to get disability now, which we sure could use. Personally, I think mothers should get work credits and be eligible for social security etc. Hell, I even think they should be PAID, and I don't mean welfare wages which are restricted and watched like a hawk, I mean a living wage no strings attached except to be there for one's kids.

There's an interesting discussion about all of that in THIS BLOG.

I feel strongly about kids needing their parents to be as present as possible in their first six years. Experts say a child needs THREE adults on whom they can rely for everything when they are little..usually parents and one grandparent, at least. All three of my grandsons have had this and it shows in their confidence, etc. But it would not have happened without grandparents and determined parents.

If I had little ones, now, I'd do everything I could to be at home with throughout their childhood, including when they start school. If I not been there for my kids as their advocate with the schools and teachers, their lives would have been much different.

There are LOTS of cracks for folks to fall, through, esp. the most vulnerable...our children and our elders. Our society treats both like a commodities and the elders like something to be flung on the dung heap. We have to be there for them as much as possible and demand changes in our society, positive changes. In the meantime...stay home if you are able!