Question

Despite the proliferation of research over the years, "Mommy blogs" are often lit up with controversy over whether it is better to be a stay-at-home parent or work and have childcare for kids. What do you think? What are the important developmental considerations?

Answer 1

• Families may believe their children develop better socially and mature well in a daycare environment, while other families believe a stay-at-home parent is necessary for proper nurturing of the children.Finances are often a major consideration of deciding whether to have a parent stay at home or to send a child to daycare.
• The benefits of daycare are numerous as are the benefits of stay-at-home parenting. Daycare can often provide a wonderful environment for valuable enrichment activities in art, nature and games, which can increase social skills, intellect and cognitive skills.
• . A study of early child care by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development showed that the more time children spend in daycare, the less positive interaction there is between mother and child. There are disadvantages to stay-at-home parenting as well. Children may not learn the social skills their daycare peers achieve at an early age.
• Parent especially mother who spend 24 hours a day caring for children often become fatigued and feel socially isolated from other adults.
• Weighing the pros and cons is important and whatever works best should be done. Many mothers choose to work part time and place their children in daycare on a limited basis. Many child-care programs offer part-time spots and mother's morning out programs to suit the needs of these families. So,it depends upon individual to individual.