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Audrey, welcome to the program.

Hi, Dr. Lara. Thanks for taking my call.

Thank you. What can I do for you?

Yeah, so I'm married, married seven years and my month ago had my first child with my husband and my maternity leave is coming to an end.

He's currently out of work. He's been laid off in his job and he's asked me if I would consider going back to work and have some pretty mixed feelings about it and wondering what your thoughts are.

You didn't finish your thought, I think. I think you didn't finish your thought. I think the stay home and and be the primary caretaker for the child.

Sorry, what was that?

He'd like to stay home and can I finish my sentence? Please.

Is he asking to stay home and be the primary child care person?

Yes.

Okay. You have a job he doesn't.

Doesn't matter how we feel. This is kind of a necessity moment, huh?

Yeah, I mean, he should be looking for another job, I think.

Okay, but right now he doesn't have a job and you go back to yours. I'm just saying it's not what you wanted. It's not what I think is good for the first three years of a kid's life.

But for some period of time until he locates something, it sounds like it's the only option we have to make sure the child has a parent.

Right.

So hopefully this won't be long term.

Okay, so do you do think there are?

I have my question was in your professional opinion. Are there reasons why a mother should stay home as opposed to the first three years.

I think it's important that moms should be the key person the first three years after that. So for grabs.

Okay. Gotcha.

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