Justifying Day Care - Page 7

C-Mac · 03-26-2007, 06:50 PM

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune....justify_d.html
Justifying day care
"As if I don’t already feel guilty for putting my son in day care at the tender age of three months, a new study shows that the more time children spend in center-based care before kindergarten, the more likely they’ll fight, disobey and argue, according to their 6th grade teachers.

The increase in problem behavior was slight, but studies like this inspire me to look for the silver lining. And I always return to the same thing: "the hygiene hypothesis," or the belief that early exposure to germs helps the immune system develop properly.

While most children get six to eight infections a year, children in day care bring home twice that number, or about one a month. Day-care settings --or petri dishes, as my pediatrician calls them-- have high levels of indoor allergens and have been shown to incubate and spread antibiotic resistant bacteria.

This sounds like a no-brainer: Keep your children at home! But since most of us don't have that option--63 percent of U.S. children under the age of five spend 37 hours a week in child care--I manage to get through the work day by reminding myself my kids might turn out healthier in the long run.

Some research bears this out. A 2005 study in the British Medical Journal showed that children who attended day care in the first few months of life are less likely to develop leukemia than children who do not, most likely because they were protected from exposure to common infections. Similar associations have been reported for Type 1diabetes and allergies and asthma in children.

Still, even if they have stronger immune systems, is it worth sending them to day care if they’re going to have behavioral issues that persist at least until 6th grade? That, according to the research, published in the March/April issue of "Child Development," is up to the parents.

The researchers involved with the longest and most comprehensive study of child care in the U.S. cautioned that parenting quality was a much more important predictor of child development than the type, quantity or quality of child care.

Ultimately, while quality day care is important, a quality home environment matters more."

We had to do without some things obviuosly but the wife and I both agreed that her being at home while the children were young, was far more important than her having a career or us having a new car or house. We now get compliments all the time about our kids and their behavior and I truly feel that this is one of the main reasons why. I do understand that not everyone's situation allows mom to stay home(especially single moms), but I do think that there are many cases that if they just tried to live a little simpler, they could pull it off.

Mile High Mania · 03-27-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

He's a liberal, what do you expect?

Well, I'm more liberal than hardcore conservative... in general though, I pretty much hate all things about politics at this point. Let's not get off on that tangent though.

NewChief · 03-27-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Solid selective reading on your part.

I've seen all of these sentiments expressed in this thread. Do I need to point out the specific posts?

Simplex3 · 03-27-2007, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Well, I'm more liberal than hardcore conservative... in general though, I pretty much hate all things about politics at this point. Let's not get off on that tangent though.

I've pretty much detached myself from politics as well. I've found I'm a much happier person for it.

Mile High Mania · 03-27-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

I've seen all of these sentiments expressed in this thread. Do I need to point out the specific posts?

I'm not saying that you didn't read them... but, if that's all you learned in this thread... you didn't read the whole thread. Reading comprehension must be an issue for you... settle the debate, were you a day care kid or not?

Chazno · 03-27-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

So far what I've learned from this thread:

If you put your kids in daycare, you shouldn't have had kids.

If you put your kids in daycare, you're an inferior parent who only cares about material success.

If you put your kids in daycare, you're basically a self-serving piece of shit.

Those who don't put their kids in daycare are basically better human beings.

Some sweet generalities on this thread.

I've learned that some kids would be better off in daycare than spending so much time with some of these parents.

crazycoffey · 03-27-2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

I've seen all of these sentiments expressed in this thread. Do I need to point out the specific posts?

I don't see how pointing out specific posts that we all have read already, will change our assessment from being different than yours.

I don't agree with your assessment, neither does MHM or Simplex, it would appear. But you want to try and prove your point anyway, so I think that would be an effort of futility.

crazycoffey · 03-27-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simplex3

I've pretty much detached myself from politics as well. I've found I'm a much happier person for it.

yup

NewChief · 03-27-2007, 09:49 AM

And the point of my inflammatory post was that some people are saying some pretty hurtful things about parenting. I understand that people have strong feelings about it, but telling someone that they're a crappy parent or shouldn't have had kids or that they care more about money than kids is pretty shitty.

That being said, my son is in a mother-day-out program like some others. My wife works at home and has him in the afternoons until 4pm when I get home and take over so she can finish her day of work. I also have him all summer.

crazycoffey · 03-27-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Nah, just means you're getting wiser.

I took it more that you are wiser than I initially gave you credit....

Mile High Mania · 03-27-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

And the point of my inflammatory post was that some people are saying some pretty hurtful things about parenting. I understand that people have strong feelings about it, but telling someone that they're a crappy parent or shouldn't have had kids or that they care more about money than kids is pretty shitty.

That being said, my son is in a mother-day-out program like some others. My wife works at home and has him in the afternoons until 4pm when I get home and take over so she can finish her day of work. I also have him all summer.

That's greatness... and one of my posts speaks to what you just said. I think it's out of place for people to point fingers and say what someone else is doing is wrong. Situations are all different.

Shall I find that post for you?

Mile High Mania · 03-27-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chazno

I've learned that some kids would be better off in daycare than spending so much time with some of these parents.

I don't know if your comment is referencing "these parents" typing in this thread, but I'm very certain that there are many parents that have no business being parents.

Getting laid and knocking someone up doesn't make you a parent... sadly though, some people haven't figured out how to stop having kids and the kids suffer.

crazycoffey · 03-27-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

And the point of my inflammatory post was that some people are saying some pretty hurtful things about parenting. I understand that people have strong feelings about it, but telling someone that they're a crappy parent or shouldn't have had kids or that they care more about money than kids is pretty shitty.

That being said, my son is in a mother-day-out program like some others. My wife works at home and has him in the afternoons until 4pm when I get home and take over so she can finish her day of work. I also have him all summer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

That's greatness... and one of my posts speaks to what you just said. I think it's out of place for people to point fingers and say what someone else is doing is wrong. Situations are all different.

Shall I find that post for you?

and to add to what MHM is saying, I only remember telling the kid with no parenting experience that he didn't have the frame of reference to add a relevant aurgument, shall I find that one for you too?

NewChief · 03-27-2007, 09:57 AM

Heh. CC and MHM are being awfully defensive. I didn't say that my post were directed at you. They were directed at some of the general sentiments expressed in the thread.

Mile High Mania · 03-27-2007, 09:59 AM

NewChief... the lesson of the thread can be summed up in the following manner.

1 - Sounds like the majority of parents would like to avoid full time day care.
2 - Item #1 is not reality
3 - Parents need to find a nice balance to work and raising their kids
4 - Nobody should deliver a groin kick to someone else for the decisions they've made. Disagreements are going to happen, but it doesn't make either decision "more right" than the other.
5 - All decisions that parents make should be about what is best for the kids.
6 - You don't have to be a parent to have a valid argument, but it certainly helps.
7 - It's a message board, don't take offense to anything being discussed and add value...

Mile High Mania · 03-27-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewChief

Heh. CC and MHM are being awfully defensive. I didn't say that my post were directed at you. They were directed at some of the general sentiments expressed in the thread.

I'm not defensive at all... thinking that I am is kinda silly.

03-26-2007, 06:50 PM
C-Mac Lurker Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Wally World Casino cash: $-956301	Justifying Day Care http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune....justify_d.html Justifying day care "As if I don’t already feel guilty for putting my son in day care at the tender age of three months, a new study shows that the more time children spend in center-based care before kindergarten, the more likely they’ll fight, disobey and argue, according to their 6th grade teachers. The increase in problem behavior was slight, but studies like this inspire me to look for the silver lining. And I always return to the same thing: "the hygiene hypothesis," or the belief that early exposure to germs helps the immune system develop properly. While most children get six to eight infections a year, children in day care bring home twice that number, or about one a month. Day-care settings --or petri dishes, as my pediatrician calls them-- have high levels of indoor allergens and have been shown to incubate and spread antibiotic resistant bacteria. This sounds like a no-brainer: Keep your children at home! But since most of us don't have that option--63 percent of U.S. children under the age of five spend 37 hours a week in child care--I manage to get through the work day by reminding myself my kids might turn out healthier in the long run. Some research bears this out. A 2005 study in the British Medical Journal showed that children who attended day care in the first few months of life are less likely to develop leukemia than children who do not, most likely because they were protected from exposure to common infections. Similar associations have been reported for Type 1diabetes and allergies and asthma in children. Still, even if they have stronger immune systems, is it worth sending them to day care if they’re going to have behavioral issues that persist at least until 6th grade? That, according to the research, published in the March/April issue of "Child Development," is up to the parents. The researchers involved with the longest and most comprehensive study of child care in the U.S. cautioned that parenting quality was a much more important predictor of child development than the type, quantity or quality of child care. Ultimately, while quality day care is important, a quality home environment matters more." We had to do without some things obviuosly but the wife and I both agreed that her being at home while the children were young, was far more important than her having a career or us having a new car or house. We now get compliments all the time about our kids and their behavior and I truly feel that this is one of the main reasons why. I do understand that not everyone's situation allows mom to stay home(especially single moms), but I do think that there are many cases that if they just tried to live a little simpler, they could pull it off.
Posts: 5,659

03-27-2007, 09:49 AM	#98
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $7240204	And the point of my inflammatory post was that some people are saying some pretty hurtful things about parenting. I understand that people have strong feelings about it, but telling someone that they're a crappy parent or shouldn't have had kids or that they care more about money than kids is pretty shitty. That being said, my son is in a mother-day-out program like some others. My wife works at home and has him in the afternoons until 4pm when I get home and take over so she can finish her day of work. I also have him all summer. __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken
Posts: 21,845

03-27-2007, 09:57 AM	#103
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $7240204	Heh. CC and MHM are being awfully defensive. I didn't say that my post were directed at you. They were directed at some of the general sentiments expressed in the thread. __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken
Posts: 21,845

03-27-2007, 09:59 AM	#104
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $1037229	NewChief... the lesson of the thread can be summed up in the following manner. 1 - Sounds like the majority of parents would like to avoid full time day care. 2 - Item #1 is not reality 3 - Parents need to find a nice balance to work and raising their kids 4 - Nobody should deliver a groin kick to someone else for the decisions they've made. Disagreements are going to happen, but it doesn't make either decision "more right" than the other. 5 - All decisions that parents make should be about what is best for the kids. 6 - You don't have to be a parent to have a valid argument, but it certainly helps. 7 - It's a message board, don't take offense to anything being discussed and add value... __________________
Posts: 30,895