Having been both a stay at home parent and someone who works full time while my spouse stays at home, as well as someone who worked part time, I can say that for me anyway, there is no absolute better option. No one has it easier if you are both functioning and focused on family. As for the final comment, what I’ve learned the hard way is that it isn’t about having time to make friends, it’s about making time to have friends.
Having been both a stay at home parent and someone who works full time while my spouse stays at home, as well as someone who worked part time, I can say that for me anyway, there is no absolute better option. No one has it easier if you are both functioning and focused on family. As for the final comment, what I’ve learned the hard way is that it isn’t about having time to make friends, it’s about making time to have friends.