Latter-day Saint women have been counseled for years to stay home with their children. This counsel is not given to oppress women but to build stronger families and communities. I refer to this short but powerful statement by President David O. McKay:

No other success can compensate for failure in the home.

It's my experience that, when considering the decision to stay home, the age of a child doesn't really matter. Some feel that once their children have reached the teen years it's not important for the mother to be home anymore. I disagree. I think it's as important for a mother to be home with her teenagers as it is for her to be home when they are younger. The teenage years are some of the most turbulent times in a child's life. Teens often need their mothers as much as young toddlers.

Unfortunately, we live in a day and age when many mothers are forced into the work field for financial reasons. This is not the ideal situation. The decision to enter the work field should only come after much prayer and evulation of one's situation.