A.H.
I think the job market is so tough right now, that it would be hard to find a job, even if you had been working. While you were off work, did you do any type of volunteering, church activities, hobbies, etc? If so, you could mention that on your resume and if you have a contact person you worked with, ask if they could be a reference. A company is not allowed to ask if you are married, have children, things like that, however if you know that the company is family friendly, you might honestly explain that you took time off to care for your children. If you get a sympathetic ear, it could make all the difference. Do some research on the company ahead of time and talk with some current employees and you should be able to get a good feel for the business. You can also use that information to see why you would be a good fit for the job and the company and explain that to the interviewer. Arm yourself with as much information about the job going into the interview. If they see that you are dedicated and want to work, sometimes the time off work doesn't matter that much. Good luck with your job search!