Personal Stake

Jessica Beck

English 1022.55

Project #2 continued...

As a mother I know what pressures are out there. I understand every viewpoint but I have yet to commit to one.

When I found out I was pregnant, I started out saying that I would be back to work when my son was six months old, then it turned to one year old, now he'll be two in March. I love the idea of working because I am a person who felt great climbing the ladders and making money. However, from the moment I saw my son I couldn't imagine ever being separated from him. My current plan is to finish my Associates degree then get a job. I hope to find a good company who has an early childhood daycare on campus because I still dread the day that I won't get to see him.

It's tough, our family could use the money; I want the money for him. Maybe I'm just being selfish, I don't know. I've heard mothers say that its not right to put kids in childcare, that people need to "raise" their own children; but I've seen how beneficial the right childcare can be. I know how important social interaction is for children. I just cannot decide. That is my personal stake in the argument of women at work or at home with the kids.

Does the Mother and the home environment provide the child with the best chance for growth?

Jessica Beck

English 1022.55

Project #2 Continued...

There are more things to consider than just money and roles. I think most mothers can agree, that the choices they make in regards to how they raise their children are based on the belief that they are doing the right thing. Most mothers want their children to grow up with an education, with social skills, with self-esteem, and with knowledge of how loved they are (among other things). Many women are naturally great teachers; such women love to teach their kids the fundamental basics of knowledge along with the various complexities of the world. Some women do not, it is just not in their nature to teach. Some women are nurturers, others have a hard time relating to children and showing them affection. In addition, some women are social beings while others prefer to keep to themselves. There is no good or bad woman in these terms, there are simply different women. However it could be argued that the woman who are nurturing, affectionate, teachers are those that are suited best for a role as a stay at home mother; while those that do not fit those traits might help their children by enrolling them in childcare. The point is to help the child become the best person they can be.

In addition to recognizing personality traits of mothers it is important to note that children may respond differently to various situations. Some children do not have the same personality that their parents have; they might thrive with a mixture of home among other environments in their daily routines. For example, I have a friend who has two little girls. Her little girls are very active and love to explore; they are extroverted in their personalities. Their mother, on the other hand, is an introverted person and prefers a slower pace. She is a stay at home mother, but she was able to step back enough to realize that her children might enjoy and thrive upon entering a childcare facility with numerous daily activities. She was right, her little girls have blossomed and made significant social, educational, and personal growth. It's important to look at how the individual child can best evolve.

Money is a huge factor

Jessica Beck

English 1022.55

Project #2 continued

Money is a major aspect. Money is one part of why it may be hard for a mother to decide if she will be a stay at home mother or join the workforce in order to provide economically for her children. Money can potentially have the power to open up possibilities; possibilities that lead to easier lives. In this case money is what prevents many mothers who would love to stay at home with their children from doing so; money is also what prevents some mothers from returning to the workforce because of high childcare costs. According to the NACCRRA, the average cost of childcare per four-year-old child in the United States is between $4,056 and $11,678 yearly. For struggling families who need work more than others, childcare is not even an option. Of course there's the flip side for each of those unpleasant scenarios; there are cases where money enables mothers to go back to work despite high day care costs; and also, where money enables a mother to stay at home with her child as long as she likes. Of course in some of these instances the choice isn't hard-because there isn't one. Money has a lot of power when it comes to motherhood in the United States.

Works Cited

National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. "Child Care in America;2009 State Facts Sheet." NACCRRA-The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, 10 April 2009. Web. 31 Jan 2010.

http://www.naccrra.org/docs/policy/state-fact-sheet-2009.pdf

One size does not fit all.

Jessica Beck

English 1022.55

Project #2

There is no right or wrong answer about whether a mother should stay at home with her child or go to work. The reason being is that every woman is different. There is not a one size fits all role that any woman will be comfortable in. There are many benefits and drawbacks for both the mother and the child when it comes to determining which journey to take. The fact of the matter is that every mother needs to decide what is best for her and her child. Every mother needs to consider a number of different aspects in order to make such an important choice.

Home with the kids or not?

Kathy Rossi

Online Blog Assignment

Brian Lewis 1022 English Comp II


Home with the kids?


Motherhood is a book in itself. Only a mother could tell you the trials and errors of raising children. How many sleepless nights do we as mothers go through? Maybe an ear infection, cold or flu virus could have been the reason for rocking your child sleep. I feel every mother has an internal "knowing" of when her child is in need. As mothers, I'm sure we have all asked ourselves if we are doing the right thing. Do we stay home and provide all the love and care we can, or do we leave our children's care to someone else for the day, as we find it necessary to help provide for the family financially?

An early study done by the University of Michigan was based on children's time diaries. The study found that when a mother went out to work she only spent 48 minutes less with her children than a mother that was a stay at home mom. This is documented in The Wilson Quarterly.

You may argue that even stay at home moms don't have a full day with their school age children, so why would it make a difference if you brought them to a daycare for the day?
Children need a good foundation and that starts with the love they receive from their mothers and fathers. They watch everything we do and trust us to provide all they need. In the same way we adults want to trust our Government in hopes that they have our best interest at heart.

There is an article written in the Commentary. It refers to pitting conservatives against liberals the same way as we view stay at home moms verses working moms or feminists against traditional families. This article also talks about the negative effect on the emotional, psychological, and even physical development of children in commercial daycares. Stating that money is being spent by day care lobbying to silence researchers who call attention to childhood agression and too much non-parental supervison and care.

Why is this happening when we have more moms and dads asking for more options at their work place, to spend more time at home with their children? Anytime a company gives it's employees options such as a flexible schedules, so as to spend more quality time with their children, I believe we are coming to a good and healthy solution to all of the above tug and war of a stay at home mom and the working mom or dad.

Remember, our children are the leaders and presidents of our country in the future. How would we want them to act on our behalf as we grow old, needing care from others?


Works Cited

Souce Citation: "How Mothers Find Time. "The Wilson Quarterly. 25.3 (Summer 2001): p86. Literature Resource Center. Gale. Century College Library. 30 Jan. 2010 http://go.galegroup.com.cenproxy.mnpals.net/start.do?p=LitRC&u+mnacenturycl

Source Citation: "Caution: day care may be harmful to your child." Commentary. 116.3 (Oct. 2003): p9. Literature Resource Center. Gale. Century College Library. 30 Jan. 2010 .
http://go.galegroup.comcenproxy.mnpals.net/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=mnacenturycl

Kari and Jessica, we have been given some advice from Brian Lewis. He suggests we refine our blog to something like "Is it better for mothers to stay home and raise a family or for them to work outside the home?" Brian suggest we narrow it to one group, perhaps.

My thoughts are a bit torn on this issue. When my children were growing up I stayed home with them. This was back in the 70's and 80's. My husband at that time didn't allow the option for me to go out and get a job. I was creative and decided to start a small daycare in our home. That way our children would have playmates and I could bring in some extra money for the family. My husband was ok with that and our family did benefit in many ways. My oldest son, who is now 38, to this day says it has helped him to be more of a people person and can start a conversation with just about anyone. Reason being that he formed friendships early in his life and learned how to work with others to get what he wanted. My youngest child is now age 30 and has her masers in Math, teaching 7th grade Math in Forest Lake. She also benefited from the daycare but a twist to this is, I was the daycare provider and also the mom working out of the home with my children. I regret some days having the daycare. My middle son who is now 32, could have used more one on one time with me. So, this is why I'm a bit torn on this subject. I plan on adding to this blog with data and cited MLA references soon. Kathy Rossi