I stayed home too, until this year actually, longer than I planned, but our unexpected circumstances sort of demanded it. I watched a couple kids from the time he was about 6 months till around 4 for some under the table cash, and took care of my broken hubby, he's doing much better now. I agree it makes a difference, they need mama as much as possible when small, unfortunately for many, as much as possible is cut way down by the need to work to survive. I'm thankful I had the opportunity to do so, even though really I was still working and being sahm is like 57 jobs in one lol... the extra kids helped with socialization too... he's pretty smart for a 7 year old, his vocabulary surprises me sometimes, but we've kind of always talked to him like a full human and we both have a decent vocabulary, so that helps. He also has a great sense of humor cause his dad and are are both ridiculous pretty much all the time... I know they say young kids don't get sarcasm, but he definitely does and uses it to burn us on a regular basis... not sure if that's good or bad.