Do you think children are better off in Daycare or with a SAHP?

Answer 1

SAHP

Answer 2

It depends on the family dynamics. I have been a SAHM and a working mom. I have seen some SAHP who are horrible, verbally/physically abusive parents. Those kids would be way better off in daycare than they would spending all day with the a** that happens to be a genetic contributor.

On the same token there are some daycares that do little more than put the t.v. on and make sure the kids have their diapers changed and are given meals. Avoid those at all costs. However, even the best daycare provider is not mom or dad, so it's a different dynamic. However, I think kids are best off with parents who are happy, so if mom/dad would be stressed financially by one of them being home full time then continuing to work and finding a quality daycare is the best solution.

Answer 3

Speaking from experience, as a small child i had to spend about my first six years in daycare (a nice one, not a dump, and probably around the same quality as most daycares today), starting at four months. It wasn't because my parents wanted to, they really did not have a choice.

Although because i was in an educational daycare, i did probably learn more schoolwise than i would at home, i truly hated going and had many bad experiences. Because daycares are taking care of more than one child, they cannot give much individual attention. Therefore, they didn't really know me personally and could not really give the necessary guidance a young child needs.

Daycares are especially bad for mature or different children, because they must do what the rest of the group is doing, whether or not they like it. Certainly there are times that require everyone to do something they don't like, and a child needs to learn that; but to have to spend every weekday doing things that are neither beneficial or interesting, is unfair, when they could be staying home.

If you do do daycare, don't do it the entire day. In fact, a few hours a day of interacting with other children is a good thing. Use this time to get things done. But don't keep the poor thing there the entire day.

If you have the option, stay home with your child. They aren't your pets; they're growing people who you get to shape and help grow. Why would you want to miss out on that? Be selfish--raise your children, rather than letting some busy daycare official do it.

Answer 4

I'm about to cry reading all these answers, seriously people, how can you possibly think a daycare makes a child better off?????? I understand that many financial situations make it necessary for a child to be in daycare so the parents can work. But better off in daycare??? I don't care if people give me a thumbs down for this, I have to say what I think. Any mom who thinks her child is "better off" being raised by a day care worker with lots of other kids so her child doesn't get much one-on-one attention is delusional and just plain lazy. Children need the love and attention that only a mother can give them (or primary caregiver...I realize there are many different family makeups). Send your child to daycare and you're leaving the raising of your child to someone else. Someone else will teach your child proper behavior, will be there for all the important first-times, will ultimately mold who you child becomes. Such an important job and people actually CHOOSE to let someone else do it? I'm floored. My husband has a good job, but we still struggle. We don't own our home and finances are tight. Could we buy a house if I went back to work? And could we drive nice cars? Absolutely. There's no question how our standard of living would increase. But guess what, I think my children are more important than all that. So go ahead guys, give me a thumbs down but you won't change my mind.

Answer 5

I think that it depends on the parent first off. If the parent is the type of person who needs to work and be away for the day to be a better parent then the child would be better off in daycare. Not all parents have the option to support their child and not work. That does not make them any less of a parent. It is what you do with the time you do spend with your child that matters. I have a friend who stays home and barely pays attention to her 3 children. I have a friend who works and takes her 2 children to daycare and I believe she is a really great mother and her children love the daycare they go to and they are much better behaved then my friends 3 children wh stay home. I have an 18 month old who I stay home with I enjoy it. I will put her daycare when she is 3 yrs. and go back to work. I did the same thing with my 7 yr. old. At the age of 3 it was hard for me to keep the entertained all day and I believed it would be nice for her to have other children to interact with.

Answer 6

It depends on the parent, and on the daycare. Personally, I think my baby is better off in daycare. She loves her daycare! She is in a full-sized daycare/nursery school and they even have their own cook who prepares healthy meals for them.

Babies thrive on routine and they have a set schedule for feeding, playtime, and naps.

They have music time and play time and story time, and she is never bored.

She gets great interaction with a dozen other kids her age and she loves playing with them all.

If she were home with me, all I would do is drag her around from the grocery store, to the mall, etc. She would not get as good of naps (most kids end up sleeping in the car or in the stroller which is not as good.)

I would be very tired of playing with her 18 hours a day. This way, I play with her in the morning, before work, and in the evening, and on the weekends, and I can give her my full attention. She is not stuck just being dragged around doing errands, or just watching daytime TV.

I would be miserable as a SAHM. Some moms are great at it! I could not handle it! So, it's better for my daughter to be in daycare, where she is happy and playing and has the full attention of 4 teachers and all those other kids to play with.

Answer 7

SAHP!!!! My mother in law runs a day care and I have the hardest time making my 3 yr old realize that I'm the boss. Her behavior is horrible and she mimics whatever the other kids do.

Answer 8

I think all kids should experince staying at a daycare. They need to gain some social skills before they start to school. Interacting with other children is really good for them. Just make sure it is a good daycare.

Answer 9

My personal opinion is they are better off at Daycare, but with a strong family presence at home. There should definately be a lot of interaction and learning at home, but socially and developmentally, I think daycare is great. (As long as the kid is happy, and you find a good provider)

Answer 10

they both have advantages and disadvantages. with daycare, kids learn a great deal more than they would at home, and it helps build confidence with social skills. on the downside, daycare is very expensive, especially for families with multiple children, and sickness spreads like wildfire between the kids. with stay at home parents, it's free, and there's much more quality time spent between parents and kids. however, i don't think i'd ever get anything done with having two kids underfoot at all times.

Answer 11

If a parent can stay home, I think it is definitely better than a daycare, hands down.