outcome of child with stay at home parent vs working parents

I really don't know that the outcome between a child that is at home with their parents full time is really all that drastic from that of a child that spends time in daycare if their parents are very active in their lives while the child is at home. For example, I worked outside the house while my daughter was young but when I wasn't at work I was constantly doing things to enrich her life and she is just as well adjusted as is her brother (whom I've been at home with since he was born).

Hi Countrygirl, I'm not sure there is a huge difference. I was raised by a mom who stayed home. I hated it. She was critical and overbearing and an all around unhappy person. She complained constantly about how difficult her life was. I don't recall much quality time with her. I envied my friend whom I visited often after school. We'd walk to her house after school and let ourselves in. Her mom would show up an hour or so later. She was the most cheerful, funny woman. I loved her and loved hanging at my friends house. I think it is all in the relationship you build with your child regardless of working or staying home.

A child of stay at home parents can be a bit more grounded. they have the advantage of having the parents always with them. Children of working parents don't have their parents nearby all of the time. they caan still have a good relationship. It isn't the quantity of time spent with a child that is important. It is the quality.

For me, it would be impractical that only one parent will do all the work to provide income for the family. But it is also a risk to take if both parents leave their child to work. That is because, as we all see and observe, many children become an "outcast" as their parents start not giving them enough attention and support due to being busy from work. Handling this kind of situation is not an easy task. This must be part of parenting seminars.

I disagree. I think good parent-child relationships can be developed under any circumstance. Sure it is great that a parent spends more time with their children, but I don't think the number of hours you spend with a child determines the quality of the relationship. I think that the time spent together no matter how long or short the time must be quality time and the child must know how much he or she is loved. If a child is loved by a parent, the relationship will flourish for life.

I am a working mother too and my husband is unemployed. What I can see right now, my son is more close to his father than me because they are together the whole day. When it comes to his studies, I make sure I check his progress in school and have time to teach him when I got home. I have only two weekdays as restdays for the month, I make sure I will be the one to bring him in school. Before I go to the office, I prepare his things in schools. I do little things as a mother, so that my son will not feel that his mother is so busy with work. Sometimes, my son expresses that he missed me and that is a nice feeling ;)

my mum always look after her children by herself and become a very devoted housewife... she wants to make sure that she educates all her children by herself and i think she can reap the results now... she has 3 good children who loves her very dearly and we bond very well with her... it will be a totally different story if she puts us into daycare or pay a nanny to look after us... take care and have a nice day...

I think that it really depends on the child and the family situation. Every child is different and their needs are different as well. So, I think that you should certainly take this into consideration, and make your decision based on this.

Personally, I feel that children with stay at home parents will grow up with better attitudes and behaviours than those who have working parents. Those with stay at home parents, their parents can educate them and look after them, teach them right from wrong. Whereas those with working parents will tend to stray and behave badly. They will become bored and therefore, mix with bad company. When that happens, it'll be too late to change the situation.

I believe that if you and your husband are able, the best environment for your child is at home. I know this is odd, coming from a child care teacher/director but really parents are a child's first teacher. Yes, children need socialization, but they do not need to go to school or child care to get that. There are opportunities for play groups, play dates with friends children and the public library. The relationship between parent/child would be better when the parent is allowed to spend time with their children. Now, after saying all of this...the parents have to feel comfortable in their given situation without any worry or else the children will be able to pick up on these stresses.