T.Q.
M.,
That's an interesting request. My mother stayed home with 4 kids. She still doesn't work and her youngest is 14. My father works a full-time job and does freelance work on the side. He works 24 hour days. At least it always felt that way. We had a mother full-time, but practically no dad. Just this guy who payed the bills (bless his heart).
Because of that I always said I would work when I had my own kids so my husband and I could share the joy of parenthood. But working and having a baby didn't work for me. I called in frequently and eventually had to cut back my hours dramatically. It meant some lifestyle changes for my husband and I, but I didn't care anymore. We weren't exactly living large to begin with, but there were still things we were able to give up. I still worked, but not as much and I was able to convince my boss to let me work at home some. My point is that if you really want to do this, you have to make sure your husband agrees and change whatever you have to in order to make it happen.
My husband left me recently and now I have no choice but to work...and very full-time. I never understood how people could get by on a single income either, but now I am learning. It can be done and sometimes it has to be done. So I really hope you can work it out. Your daughter will benefit and so will you. Those months at home with my son were precious. He's a year old now and it really flew by. Good luck. I hope to pick up some tips from the mothers who give you advice!
-T.