I was both in and out of the workforce during their teen years. Mine were happiest when I was home after school. It meant they could participate in more after school activities. For me, I got to know their friends, could supervise homework, take kids to the library, etc., all of that is really important to me. Kids get into the most trouble between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm. My youngest, now 19, said that she hated it when I was working because being home with her sister was so lonely. If I could go back and do it over, I would not have worked full time when I did. I would have worked part-time and been home when they came home.