Hi Dr. Laura:

I have listened to you off and on for several years and I can't describe in words how you have had an impact on my life.

I was a professional woman, working my head off, and then I had my daughter. After looking into her eyes, I could not return to work and sentence her to a life in day care. I walked away from my job as an anesthetist and with my husband an active duty Marine at the time, figured out a way to live on his income. It wasn't easy --  we were down to one car and lived in base housing. There were days that it was overwhelming but all I had to do was look at my child's face to realize it was so worth it. 

During the 1970's being a stay at home Mom was uncommon and I was told numerous times that I should work simply because I had two degrees and was wasting my education. I have two children, and they're both grown and have children of their own and they still tell me that when they came home from school, it was great to see me there waiting for them. There are no words to describe how that made me feel. They are following my example and that is the reward for me as well as them. 

Please keep telling young mothers to raise their children themselves and make whatever sacrifices that are necessary to make that happen. Sacrifices are not so hard when you look at your children and see that they are happy and all your trying days are worth it. 

Jennifer