I always thought I would be a SAHM until my youngest kids were in school, but as it worked out I was ready to start thinking about work within 6 months of each baby's birth. The first couple of times I put my energies into getting pregnant again, but after the twins it was a real struggle to stay at home and only the cost of daycare stopped me applying for uni earlier. I thought I would struggle to leave my kids but I actually found it really draining and unsatisfying to be a SAHM full time until they were 3, which was the point at which all 4 of my kids went into some sort of nursery/kinder programme. When the twin were 3 I started uni and they went into full time daycare. I don't regret it for a minute.