kathleen@ihuxw.UUCP (K. S. Romanowski) (04/23/84)
I don't agree with the opinion stated in the article sent in by Larry Bickford (originally written by Jo Kearly, San Jose). I don't have children yet, but when I do, I know that my dedication will be 100%. I plan on returning to work within 3 months of my child's birth. For financial reasons, present and future, my returning to work would ensure a better life for me and for my child. I also think that the quality of time spent with a child is important and that they can learn to distinguish between the parent and the day care person. Children are wise beyond their tender years and learn rapidly. ( I helped my sister raise 4 children when I was in high school and feel that this early experience taught me well.) I just wonder what other parent's opinions are in this matter. How many men would be willing to give up their jobs and take full-time care of their children? How many women earn enough (yes, I dare say this even in our modern times) to support the family while the husband takes care of the child (children)? Since I am not a parent yet, my observations are merely my opinions, not flames against Larry Bickford or anyone else. Please post comments to the net or send them via electronic mail to: ihuxw!kathleen. Thanks for listening. Katie
fclark@convex.UUCP (04/26/84)
#R:ihuxw:-81000:convex:52900008:000:1355 convex!fclark Apr 26 13:20:00 1984 I am a working mother. I work for several reasons the main one being ( I am sorry if I offend home makers) that I DO NOT enjoy house cleaning and all that goes with it....it is simply not enough for me........ even though we have two children........ I have had no problem with my girls staying with a sitter. We are very fortunate in that the lady comes to our house. I have found that if you screen your sitters and are really interested and carefull with the people you select they can receive excellent child care......the rest as always is left up to the parents.... I went back to work both times when my girls were two months old ..... and believe me they have NEVER confused me for the sitter or the sitter for me. I KNOW I spend more time quality and otherwise with the girls. Before I had MANY things to do ......i.e. cleaning house ugh! running errands, etc These things still need to be done but somehow they are not such a chore and my girls are MUCH more involved and I enjoy spending time with them. I cannot see where my girls have suffered from a working mother......On the contrary I only see benefit.......I have a niece and a nephew who have mothers that stay home.....my children are much more outgoing they relate to other children better and seem as secure if not more secure than the ones who stay home with mom all day long.
preece@uicsl.UUCP (04/28/84)
#R:ihuxw:-81000:uicsl:22800013:000:1536 uicsl!preece Apr 27 22:44:00 1984 There's no question that the quality of the home experience and the day care experience differ. I would not have wanted my kids in day care full time, but I would not have wanted them at home full time either. The interaction with other kids and the knowledge that someone other than their parents could be nice to be with were very important parts of their development. Both made significant language and skill gains after starting daycare (this was in someone's home, with about 5 other kids). Our elder child made a very easy transition to nursery school because she was not scared of being away from home. I doubt that I would have left my job to raise kids if my wife had made more than I. It definitely would have affected our planning. When I AM home (and that was a significant chunk of the normal working day until recently) I tended to have more patience and ability to cope, largely because I didn't have to be patient and cope all day. Now, working more hours and being home less, I have found that context switching is much harder and I'm not as good at it. If I learned that someone at the school had told my kids not to hit someone back because Jesus said not to, I would find another school damned fast. Your kids know when you care. No matter how much of your time they get, they'll always want more. There's no reason they have to get all of it if you can find a good care facility. Diversity is very important in raising kids that accept change and differences. scott preece ihnp4!uiucdcs!ccvaxa!preece
preece@uicsl.UUCP (04/28/84)
#R:ihuxw:-81000:uicsl:22800014:000:590 uicsl!preece Apr 28 11:25:00 1984 I am a working mother. I work for several reasons the main one being ( I am sorry if I offend home makers) that I DO NOT enjoy house cleaning and all that goes with it... ---------- I agree with most of what you go on to say, but I'm curious how working gets you out of cleaning house. My impression has been that houses get dirty and have to be cleaned and that in any given house there are only so many people who can share in that cleaning. Much as I'd rather be reading SF or doing something else useful, sooner or later I have to clean. scott preece ihnp4!uiucdcs!ccvaxa!preece
fclark@convex.UUCP (04/30/84)
#R:ihuxw:-81000:convex:52900009:000:176 convex!fclark Apr 30 13:54:00 1984 As I stated later on we are VERY fortunate that the lady comes to our home to care for our children she also does light housekeeping. i.e the girls laundry, vacuuming, etc.