An article in today's New York Times (www.newyorktimes.com - search on child care) reports a direct correlation has been found between the time a child spends in daycare and behavior problems in kindergarden. Those which spent up to 30 hours a week in daycare were three times as likely to exhibit behavior problems than children who received no daycare. The study found it to be true regardless of other conditions, such as the economic status of the family or the quality of the in-home nurturing.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), April 19, 2001

Answers

golly gee, who could've figured that out on their own?

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), April 19, 2001.

What you didn't mention is that those problems continue, and sometimes build over the years AFTER kindergarten.... Ask me... I'll tell you.

Would give anything to have been able to stay home!!!

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), April 19, 2001.

Ken,

Thank you for posting this. It's wonderful to see that people are (finally) starting to get a clue.

Ours is a slightly different situation, but my husband and I chose to both work at home and homeschool our children (starting this year) so that we could be with them instead of sending them off to be raised by others. I've been very fortunate in that I was able to stay home with all 5 of our children prior to them reaching school age.

My in-laws hate it, and never miss a chance to tell us why it's a horible idea. They conveniently neglect to acknowledge the multitude of studies that support homeschooling and at-home parents. Our society needs to realize the effects that a lack of parental attention/involvement is having on the next generation. And quickly!

Thanks for letting me vent...

-- Kristin, in La. (positivekharma@aol.com), April 19, 2001.

Having been a stay-at-home mom for the last 20 years (my oldest was in childcare for several years) and a homeschooling mom for 17 years (only 15 more to go) I can speak from experience. There is NOTHING that you can do for your child that is more important then being with them as much as possible. Our children are not perfect and yes, they do make their own choices as they get older that we may not agree or approve of, but overall they turn out to be much more well-adjusted and self-confident young adults. I have enjoyed these years thoroughly and honestly don't want them to end. That's my 2 cents worth.

-- Deena in GA (dsmj55@aol.com), April 19, 2001.

home schooling is the best alternative for the children.people do not spend enough time with their children anymore.they are so rushed and trying to get somewhere that they dont realize that the kids suffer for it.they are babysat by the television after being in school being taught god only knows what.the parents maybe will spend what about an hour with them?while rushing them off to bed for another busy day.them people wonder why there is problems in public schools ,shootings and bomb threats ect..... there is no family structure anymore. on the other hand i am not the perfect parent ,but i do try to spend time with my kids and they know i will be there and listen to them.i prefer to live out in the country where i am.i was raised out in the country and loved it. my kids enjoy looking at birds and we ocasionally see other wildlife.they know what it is like to listen to the frogs croak.they know that home is where the heart of the family is.if we dont take care of our children then who will ?somebody you dont want to will. val

-- Valory Leonard (valoryvaleo@aol.com), April 20, 2001.

Homeschooling is a good choice for some people, but not everyone. I've homeschooled for almost 13-1/2 years, and I've seen families that should NEVER have made that choice, and their kids suffered horribly because of it. I have also seen well-adjusted children from public schools who are ready to "take on the world." The thing that seems to matter the most is relationships between parents and children. Talk and listen, listen and talk, then talk and listen some more. Share your heart with your children, share your visions, your dreams, your failings, your fears, and do them the same honor of listening to them. Build INTO them a sense of right and wrong instead of raising good hypocrites who will only do what's right when they're under observation. Love 'em and be a love-able person toward them in all your conduct. Our society has seriously made errors in devaluing the family so much, and we ARE paying for it, but homeschooling and staying at home are not entirely the answers. It really IS about RELATIONSHIPS. That's my two cent's worth. Or maybe million bucks worth! :-)

-- z in washington (beebedz@juno.com), April 20, 2001.

I agree with z in washington, homeschooling is good for some to do and not for others. We have some friends that homeschool and they really are not learning a whole lot and they really don't get to play alot with other kids. After all most of us are probably public school children ourselves and I don't know about the rest of you but I grew up allright. As for the day care study I just do not buy into all of it, I still believe that no matter what, kids are going to grow up according to 90% of what they SEE & LEARN AT HOME. If you have a strong,responsible home base learning (and not just school work)then the kids will not stray far from that learning unless there are extending circumstances.

-- Tom (tjk@cac.net), April 21, 2001.