You could also add to that list triage nurse. That might tack on a little extra (not that we'll ever see it :-)). I don't think anyone can fully appreciate what all a stay-at-home mom or dad really does until he/she has walked in those shoes for a while. If we're doing our job well, we may save society a good chunk of change down the road with lower rates of incarceration, etc. Who knows? I'd love to see a study tracking children who stayed at home, at least during the formative years. But, lack of salary and recognition aside, you get to know your child on so many levels. The payoff is, therefore, priceless. Thanks for the post.