Sunday Times article about working women by India Knight.........

[ssd]

Did you read it and if you did what did you think?

FWIW I agree with her, will probably be stoned now.

Yes Satine I would love to stay at home and look after my children but I dont agree that these children become institutionalised that is my main point.

well, reading this has really brightened my day, not ! I was on the pill when I found out I was pregnant and have never believed in abortion. So I had my child and was told by my mortgage company that unless I was working full time I could not have a mortgage so I went back when my daughter was 12 weeks old(6yrs ago was not eligible for more time off)she had a child minder from that point on. And it broke my heart when she preferred the child minder instead of me but I felt as if I had no other option.
When she was a year and a half she went to a nursery from 8-6 and now she is at school she is at a nursery from 8-6 and she is the most confident, non insecure, well adjusted child I have ever come across. I get no help whatsoever from her dad, who doesnt even recognise the fact he has a daughter at xmas and birthdays yet alone any other time.
My child loves going to kids club and has been attending for more than a year and not once has she ever said she hates it, even in the school holidays she would prefer to be with her friends instead of spending the day out with me(and yes it does get to me sometimes but I just get on with it)just thought I would get my point across

Cheltenhamgal - i also had dd nearly 6 years ago and went back when she was 3 months old. She was in fulltime care from then on - nannyshare first then nursery fulltime from 15 months. Now at school with minder afterwards. I am very fortunate in that have a helpful dh but I am the main breadwinner (because I have a more regular income which is fine, not complaining) and his hours, as an arty type, aren't predictable.
my DD is also happy, conifednt etc. It's only reading things like thos thread which make me worried/guilty!

We all feel guilty - but try not to - people who make the comment "why have kids if you dont stay at home and look after them yourself" often lead very privileged lives and have no idea what others have to deal with - I have pangs of guilt if my ds crys when I leave her at nursery but will phone upon reaching work only to hear her giggling like mad in the background

thanks for your replies tonton and lulu and my girl does exactly the same ! cries when I leave her in the morning, then she stops as soon as my footsteps die away then runs and hides when I go to pick her up ! x but such is my life and I just try to get on with it

I find this thread particularly interesting because I didn't realise that some women had such strong opinions about the way that other women bring up their children. No one has ever questioned the fact that I work full time, yet on this thread there are quite a few mums who don't agree with childcare unless it's by the parent. I wonder how many of these mums would express their views face to face if the topic came up.