Do you think that putting a child in daycare has any influence on attachment style? Why or why not?

Question

I am in college and have a 2 month old. RIght now my husband and I are able to plan our school schedules around her but next semester we wont be able to. I'm just wanting to know about the attachment issues it may or may not cause.

Answer 1

Of course it does. Studies have proved over and over that children do better when they are at home with their mothers all day until 4-5 years old.

They learn more, develop better, and actually have less social issues when they do enter into a structured school environment.

Children in daycares tend to have emotional issues, and in some cases learning problems that are avoided with one on one time.

All that said, Of course it effects attachment.

Answer 2

You and your husband have to agree which type of child care works best for your family.

I think children pick up on how we feel and that if you don't over react or prolong leaving that this should not be an issue. Lots of kids go through separation anxiety and it is common but I find that distraction works really well.

Our daughter is watched in someone's home and there are 3 other children there. My daughter loves the woman and the woman loves my daughter. I feel if I cannot stay home (which I can't) and watch her myself then this is the next best thing.

That said you have to feel good about the situation too- I don't think my daughter has attachment issues nor do I b/c she seems to look forward to her time at day care and I can go to work knowing my daughter is well cared for.

There are a lot of options out there......contact your local child care council for recommendations and more info.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I have worked in child care for more than 20 years. I do not believe it has influence on attachment. I believe the attachment is based on the parents. When my son was 9 months old I would take him to the Y, and later I worked at a child care center and when I dropped him off he was too interested in playing than saying goodbye to me. But I never held him like I was throwing him to the lions. I presented it to him like he was off to a play fest and he trusted me and felt safe.

Then there is the little girl I watch now. Her Mom takes 3 hours to say goodbye. She wouldn't let anyone hold her when she was small. She actually gets upset if her little girl isn't sad when she leaves. She waits for her to get sad. The little girl is over 1 year old and still sleeping in the parent's room. Guess what. That little girl has attachment issues.

I have also cared for children whose parents just didn't care. The kids were left in daycare open until close and often went home to other sitters. Those kids had attachment issues.

So no one should blame child care for attachment issues. Your child will react based on how you react. And your little sweetie is still small. She will come to know it as how things are. You sound like the kind of person who will only leave her in care as needed. That will make a difference. And if you are in college I would assume you don't plan to stay home after college. So it is best to get your little one in regular care now so she is accustomed to it when you are working.

Answer 4

It may have influences on the attachment style, but that doesn't mean daycare ruins the kids.

Crappy care, be it by the parent or a child care center - that is what ruins kids.

Answer 5

Honestly, no. The *quality* of childcare matters greatly. But throughout human history, children have been cared for by a variety of people.

This idea of locking away mama and baby until the little one magically emerges and goes to kindergarten is just wierd.

For every study or expert who claims that childcare is the big evil, there are at least as many who say the opposite.

Don't sweat it. Your little one will be fine, and will have no trouble figuring out who her parents are.

Answer 6

I do believe that children need to be with their mother/father until a certain age...or with a caregiver.
I've found that daycare is not healthy for my son. There's not enough one on one and they treat the kids like a herd...
As far as attachment issues, I'm not sure. If you do choose to place your baby in daycare, make sure to check them out thoroughly through the state.

Answer 7

This seems like common sense to me.

It's your child to raise.

If you choose to hire someone else to parent don't be surprised when they aren't as attached to you.

You'll also be missing first words, first steps, etc....

Answer 8

you or yor baby don't know me now if i spend more time with him or her thay will come to know now dig this how about i spent more time with them than ya'll who do u think thay will be more attached to remember thay are not thinking thay are senceing it my smell the sound of my vocie when thay cry that is comforting them. i sing to them i change their diaper. i understabnd your point "dose the means justify the end" u have to answer that my friend happy paranting

Answer 9

so I guess that means that all single mothers and fathers children have emotional issues..not quite so...each family is different..