Working Mum's (or Dads)??

Question

Do you think one parent should stay at home with their children,

Is it OK to leave your child in care all day?

Answer 1

Our little girl has been in full time day care since she was 6 months old. She is now two and loves playing with her friends and is a real social butterfly and I think being at playschool has taught her (and us alot) I would of course love to spend my days with her instead of working but unfortunately financially we are unable to do this. It depends on the situation and as long as they are looking after the kids properly at the playschool and teaching her new skills, reading to her etc then I don't see anything wrong with it. The important thing is to make time for your children when they are at home and with you.

Answer 2

I think that it is for the individual family to decide for themselves. I stayed home for a couple years while we had our kids, just because all the maternity leaves would have been interrupting my career. I wne t back to work though when my youngest at the time was 9 months old. I think it is just fine to place your kids in day care. The idea of children being raised in the nuclear family unit, is very new comming from only the early 1900's. Before this new idea, children were always raised in group family units, with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, governesses and all that good stuff. Day care is just a modern extension of that idea. If you have the money, having a nanny is an ideal situation, that way you can be sure that your children are receiving adequate attention. Frankly with how expensive some day cares are, having a nanny for multiple children can actually be a bargain. But day cares are a solid place for children to grow and learn with other children.

Answer 3

My daughter is at daycare every day and she is fine.  They take good care of her and I come to work everyday without having to worry about money and other issues.  She is only 14 weeks old, but she is a very happy little angel...So to me it is fine...

Answer 4

personally ( and this is just my humble opinion) i believe if a couple decide the time is right to start a family one of them should be prepared to put their career on hold to raise thier children, i did work part time for a while but it just didnt work out, i am now a stay at home mum again and everyone is much happier

Answer 5

My 2 year old is at Nursery & believe me the pro's totally out weigh the cons.It was difficult at the begining for his mum & myself,but he loves it.

Answer 6

My husband and I both work. I work about 10AM-9PM everyday because I own a dance/gymnastics studio and I teach most of the classes.

My husband works from 7AM-4PM, normal business hours. I have a five year old, three year old and a three month old, and I bring all of them to work with me because the older two take dance, gymnastics and preschool at my studio. And my employees love coddling my newborn.

I don't like daycare that much.

Answer 7

I think it is important to stay home with your children, because you will know what their needs are and children feel safe knowing that when they get home mom will be there.  Why have children if you are going to pawn them off on day care.  I don 't buy the excuse that we have to have two paychecks to make ends meet.  If you were not financially stable then you have no business having children.  Children are a blessing from God and they need to be tended too.  Not only that but when a women tends her house it make it better for the whole family.  We need to get back to the traditional family of father working to support the family and mother home tending to the home and the children.

Answer 8

It depends on your family's financial situation. If it lacks stability, you have no choice but to leave your child in care until you finish your work.

Answer 9

I think it is ok to leave your child in child care all day if you really have to.  I do it as my husband and I both work full time.  I have moments of guilt, but at least our kids are being clothed, fed, and kept warm.

Answer 10

I think it depends entirely on your own family situation, and NOBODY has the right to tell you that your decision is wrong. Some mothers have the luxury of choice financially, yet still choose to go back to work to fulfil their personal needs. If they are then able to come home and better appreciate their time with their kids rather than despise them, then I feel there is nothing wrong with that. If other mothers choose to stay home to be with their kids, I have the greatest respect for them also. For those of us that don't have a choice...as long as we make the time we DO have with our kids count, then our kids will understand the sacrifices we have made, and love us for doing the best we can with what we have.

I have worked in Childcare, I have also run my own family day care, and am of the opinion that sometimes the experiences learned there can help shape some great young adults! My kids didn't do well in childcare, but that was due to external factors rather than daycare itself.

I am in a uniquely good position where I work full time during the week on graveyard shift. So I am able to be home for them, take them to all their after school sports (which is 7 days a week between 3 of them), and yet still provide them with what they need. I sacrifice sleep, and have sacrificed my chosen teaching career for the time being, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Answer 11

yes i think its very important that one parent should stay with their children at home because i've been there in same situation that you will encounter problems in your child.and i know a lot of parents that their children grows not close to them!!!

Answer 12

Many of us don't have a choice, I worked from when my son was 6 weeks old so he spent all of his childhood with childminders or at nursery or school and he's turned out a well-adjusted, non-gang member, non-binge drinking, 16yr old.  We live in South London between Peckham and Brixton.  It's not the quantity of time you spend with your child, it's the quality.

Answer 13

My husband and I are both teachers. When we are working, our parents watch our children.

Answer 14

In my case all of my 3 children have been in childcare from a young age.  My oldest 2 are now at school however they still go to out of school care club until I have finshed work & my daughter goes to a private nursery full time mon - fri.  If I didnt have the access to childcare facilities then I would not be able to work and therefore be unable to provide for my family.

My kids are happy and they enjoy the social aspect for childcare as it gives them the opportunity to meet new friends and mix with kids with whom they may not normally meet (older/younger etc).

It is now the school summer holidays and my boys go to a Playscheme run by registered childcarers and they have a fantastic time of it-  park, cinema, swimming etc, different actvities each day of the week.  They would not get this should they be at home with me or with their dad.

I think it is ok for you to use childcare should you feel comfortable with it and also if you need to do it for financial reasons.  However my ex partner felt differently - he thinks that mums should stay at home & raise their family & look after the house.

It is everyones individual opinion on the matter so whatever you do make sure it works for you & your child.

Answer 15

Its nice to have a parent at home ,

Build an early relationship and bond ,

but, if your child doesnt go out ,

they'll find it hard to socialise.

Answer 16

I think it's absolutely fine to have a career as well as children

My son is 2 now and I've always worked part time around him

he goes to nursery 3 times a week and absolute loves it there!

In September I will be going to Uni full time so he will be spending 3 days at nursery then 2 days with his nana

I'm not worried about him in the slightest

I'm providing a better future for him and in the long run he'll benefit

Answer 17

Daycare isn't all that bad...kids socialise and have fun after they've made you feel rotten for leaving them there. I live next to a kindergarten and believe me...kids howl when their parents are around and next thing you know they're too busy to bother where mummy or daddy is. You do have to think about finances too...can you afford living on one income? Will they stay home mum/dad be happy at home or fall into depression? How about one parent works part-time? That way you get a foot in both camps. Good luck!

Answer 18

My son was at nursery from the age of 3mnths. I took him out for a year then he started state nursery at 4 and before that he wouldn't speak much...the school wanted to refer him to a speech therapist but after being there for a month he really came out of his shell. He's like a new boy. He's really developed and funnily enough can still remember some things he learnt whilst at his first nursey (this was when he was even one yet!)

I think if you can afford to be a stay at home parent then why not but i would still suggest putting the child into some sort of care for at least one day a week it really makes a difference, builds confidence and its in the parents best interest aswell. Ive seen children where they've stayed with their parents until they were 5 and going in mainstream school for them is a nightmare.

My sons at school from 7:30am - 5:30pm this IS a long day but i HAVE to work I don't think it harms him at all, we have a wonderful relationship and he doing really well at school. the only downside is that I have limited communication with his teacher as I drop him off directly to her or pick him up directly from here but we liase through notes in his bag.