SAHM have the joy of spending time with the little ones.The benifits of a home-based business include tax advantages.  Try a home-basesd business 8-15 hours to not have to give up your independence/income you may not have a six figure income but, you will have what you really want and thats to be home with your loved one.  Make your dreams reality.  

I honestly love every minute that I am home with my 20 month old daughter. I left a terrific career with very high pay and great benefits and honestly the only thing I miss is the $$.  We are struggling financially and that can be tough, but we still plan for me to stay home with my daughter (and newborn on the way in a few months) because time goes too fast and I don't want to miss her childhood, nor do I want her to be in daycare for the majority of the day. I can return to work in the future.   As far as getting bored, that hasn't happened yet. I make sure I am out with her and have joined some SAHM mom groups for her to be around other children her age, as well as for my own sanity and social needs. If you can afford it I say go for it but only you can decide what is best.

Good luck with your decision!

Hum...that is a tough one because yes, the grass some times does seem to be greener.  I guess I would say it depends on what type of childcare you use.  Or, is it stressful to get out the door every morning, drop the kids off, run to work, etc. etc.  I am a SAHM of three, and I never DREAMED I would be.  I do Graphic Design by trade and stopped working after my first was born.  There are days I wish I were back at that 8-5 (or later normally) job but that wish only lasts a little while - not to be completely sappy but. . .when one of my children need me, thank goodness I'm there and I'm so thankful that I'm there to see their little faces throughout the day.  As hectic as life is with three little ones, keeping up with the house, and now I'm working part-time freelancing, I wouldn't trade it. 

Is there any way you could work part-time at night when your children are in bed?  I know Gymboree Clothing Store has really good hours for part-time workers and most of them close at the same time as a mall does, which is usually 9:00.