What do you think is a harder job - staying at home full time with several preschool-age children or going to work full time?

I have thought of this question on several occasions, as I think about my life working full time, and comparing it to some people I know who are stay at home moms. I think of the pros and cons of working full time vs. the pros and cons of being a full time stay at home mom.

The cons of working full time include, but are not limited to, having to get up early, dress, the stress of the commute, being on someone else’s schedule and having to be supervised by another person, and being away from home for the majority of the day. The cons of being a full time mom are that there are no breaks, it’s physically demanding and exhausting, and you are most likely with the kids only during the day, so limited in adults available to talk to .

I was never a full time stay at home mom, but I know when I am home for short periods with my preschooler, it’s tiring, and she’s good, so I can imagine being with several rowdy children, it must be extra tough.

In your experience, what is harder: working full time or being a full time stay at home mom?