Stay at home parents (32)

I have always worked either part time or full time as well as studied since my kids were little. I worked and studied when I was with my ex and as a single mum. I didn't have the luxury of having much of a choice if I wanted our kids to have some quality of life. And I agree with Tina and bourbs, kids need to see what the real world is like. And working is part of the real world. My parents both worked while my siblings and I grew up, again it was a necessity. And we all turned out fine. We all work and have always worked so our parents modelled postive traits in my opinion.

Both my boys work/ed while they are/were at school and still do now, so I am glad that my working also instilled some sense of responsibility in them (amazing really considering their father hasn't worked for over 7 yrs )

And as for not wanting your children to go to daycare or creche because you did not want them institutionalised Ralf,, I have to disagree with you there...what is school? School is an intitution and they dont always share the same disciplining measures as many parents so if that was the case, why aren't you home schooling your kids now instead of sending them to school? The daycare centre my yongest son went to was awesome. He went there from 12 months of age and it was a very loving and supportive environment. My oldest son was looked after by my parents from 12 months of age until he went to school while I worked or studied so neither of my kids suffered by me not staying home with them AND my kids still knew they had a loving parent/s to come home to and a routine.

I too have good kids and many people since they were little have told me that many many times so I don't think being a stay at home parent has anything to do with how good our kids are. As you said, its good management and discipline mixed with love and respect.

the only thing I regret is being so stressed by working and studying full time when I was a single mum that I was a bit short tempered and angry with them at times... but I also think it would have been the same if I had been around them all the time as well

what if the stay at home parent is a fat lazy slob who sits around drinking booze and watching crap american soap operas instead of spending quality time with the kids ??

being a stay at home parent does not necessarily mean you are a postive role model just because you are visible

jmo

and that is twice I spelt positive as postive

Well just maybe there's a good possibility that sort of influence will rub off onto the next generation..

I stayed at home until my youngest was 2.5 years and made the decision to go back to work full time. I put him into a very good private daycare but he wasnt very happy as was quite clingy to me so aftr 5mths made the decision to stay home again until a little older.

so at 4 year, started kindergarden and loved it so i went back to work full time working in adminstration/accounting.

Always with my work i have been lucky as got myself postions where i could always have time off when needed so didnt miss sports practices, games etc and had great grandparents whom also played a big role in the boys life helping out in some of the school holidays.

So i have worked throught their years of growning up and they have also learnt independance and have never gone without and i also have a close relationship with them and am very proud of who they are today and would regard myself as a great mum.

All our situations are different, and we have our own reasons for working or not working but as long as our children are loved and looked after, we are all entitled to make our own choices to how we would them to be raised.

I've been a single parent for 14 years..I started working when my youngest was 18 mths old. I had a casual job in Admin for people with disabilities (I worked in the office with Blonde)once my eldest was in pre-school I worked p/time inbetween school hours so it worked out well. The last 3 and a half years I have worked p/time but all day so the kids spend all afternoon home alone...she gets on the computer and he plays his playstation unless there is assignments. My son had a job at a servo for a year but they sold out and the people who bought it put on their family so everyone lost there jobs He is now looking for another job. My daughter has no interest in working because she said she can't get up early enough She isn't quite old enough to get a job yet but I'm hoping she gets one when she is.