I've done both and I have to say, for me, daycare is way better! It is a very tiring job and I am exhausted at the end of the day and then I have to start cooking dinner, baths, all that for my own family. BUT, I would have to do that anyway if I worked outside the home...only I would also have to add the drive to and from work...rushing to drop off and pick up and daycare/school, etc. I make more money than I would if I were working outside the home and paying for daycare, plus I get to be with my kids all day and not worry about whether they are happy, safe, etc. I hated working outside the home and leaving my kids. However, maybe when they are all in school full-time I might feel differently...not sure. Daycare is not for everyone...you have to be organized, patient, calm and very hard-working, but if you are the right kind of person for it, it can be great! Plus, I actually see it as a huge plus for kids to learn to share their mom with other kids...they learn that they are not the centre of the universe. I think kids need to learn that.