It just sort of happened as the result of a confluence of events — her husband taking an out-of-state job, her own long commute to a high-pressure New York magazine editing job, and the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

‘I woke up one day and said, `You know what? That’s it. I need to live a different life,’?’ she said.

Ms. Stanton, who now lives in Davidsonville, admits she didn’t know quite what she was getting into when she left the workforce. But she’s gained a lot of experience and is determined to pass it on to other women.

Her book, ‘The Stay-at-Home Survival Guide: Field-Tested Strategies for Staying Smart, Sane, and Connected While Caring for Your Kids,’ came out June 1. It packs plenty of advice for moms who may be feeling a bit isolated and under-appreciated in their new roles.

‘It’s so chock-full of tips (and) practical things,’ said Krista Lyons-Gould, publisher of Berkeley-based Seal Press, which put out the guide.

Ms. Stanton, 43, consulted with about 100 stay-at-home mothers and surveyed more than 60 in detail to gain a broad perspective for the book.

The guide includes chapters on everything from finances and friends to sex and strategies for keeping sane.

‘There’s a little humor and a lot of substance,’ said Ginny Meerman of Edgewater, who has four children and has been a stay-at-home mother for 18 years.

‘I’m still amazed that I did it,’ she said. ‘The book was a lot of work, but it was really good to have done it. I hope it gets attention. I think it’s a useful book.’ — Hometown Annapolis, June 19, 2008

No one ever said that staying home with kids was easy. But now, thanks to this new book by Melissa Stanton, you’ll have somewhere to turn whenever you’re feeling a little lonely, under-appreciated, or overwhelmed. Stanton, a magazine editor turned stay-at-home herself, understands all too well both the joys and the challenges that come with staying home with your children full time. For this book, she draws not only on her own experience, but also on the experiences of other moms, who she spoke to and surveyed at length. With information about dealing with everything from money and scheduling to friendships and marriage, Stanton has the advice you need for every situation and the sympathy and understanding you’ve been hoping for. No one understands a stay-at-home mom like another stay-at-home mom, which gives Stanton the insights to make this Survival Guide a valuable resource for moms everywhere. — Mom Central, June 26, 2008

The Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide description

Who are they?

They are the stay-at-home moms.

These are women who know in their hearts that staying home to raise their children is the right choice for the whole family. Some do it from the outset of their marriages, while others make the difficult transition from career-driven women to homemakers. Either way, it is a choice that is incredibly rich and rewarding, not to mention challenging.

Now Dr. Laura, building on principles developed during her long career as a licensed marriage and family therapist, provides a wealth of advice and support, as well as compassion and inspiration, to women as they navigate the wonders and struggles of being stay-at-home moms.

Learn how:

• to hold your head high and deal with naysayers;
• to see the benefits of being home not only for your children but also for your marriage;
• to understand the changes you see in yourself;
• to realize that the sacrifices you endure now will make for lasting bonds and a stronger family, in addition to a more cohesive community.

In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms is a special book, a profound and unique understanding of how important it is for mothers to raise their own children.

About the Author

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the author of ten New York Times bestsellers, and a regular columnist for NewsMax. She is the number one female talk-show host and the third-most-listened-to talk-show host in America. Her award-winning radio program is heard on more than 250 stations internationally, XM Satellite Radio, and the Armed Forces Network, and is streamed and podcast on her website and YouTube channel. She lives in Southern California with her husband.