"Study: Mothers Care Best for Toddlers, Daycare is Disastrous and Even Relatives Are Lacking"

Does this really come as a surprise?
Daycare is disastrous? WHAT? You mean a child being left with complete strangers for the majority of their day, in the prime developmental years, is NOT good?

Plese, before you read on, take a moment and read the brief article from the title above: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/oct/05100401.html

"The report confirms other studies that show that young children develop best when in the care of a parent, usually the mother, in a loving environment. The report also showed that institutionalized daycare, as proposed by many governments, is detrimental to the development of toddlers. "

Young children develop best when in the care of a parent. What a reaffirming statement.

Though it does not take research to know this, it is something that seems to be NEEDED. We NEED to hear this.
Our modern society so often makes us feel inferior should we choose to make our children our top priority. Heaven forbid we actually raise our own children! The pressure is on from almost every angle to have and do it all- the career, the perfect marriage (should we "limit" ourselves to one partner for the rest of our lives), the biggest house, the gas-guzzling SUV, and of course, maybe 2 kids. You know, if we stay home to actually fulfill a vocation of raising our own children, we risk the better life!

Thankfully I do not believe that. Sure, material things are nice. Working outside the home and bringing home a large paycheck- you should be proud. But how far do we keep going before we do more harm than good for our own family?
I admit there are things I want but do not yet have. I may never have some of those things. But something I will ALWAYS have- the memories and moments I gain by being a mother first. I look forward to not regretting missing the first steps, the first tooth, being gone when my child is sick, and so on. I have been so blessed in these almost 18 months to be home with my child. And no- we are not rich. Far from it. We choose to take this path because we believe it is best for our family.

I mean no offense to those that work outside the home, as I know there are always exceptions and each family has their own circumstances.

While I mean no offense to working parents, I DO mean to sinlge out those who stay home with their children. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a stay-at-home dad, GOOD WORK on this decision. Despite all of the testing moments, I hope you see the blessings each day in your child/children. THANK YOU for being there and setting an example.