The 60s feminists (actually Marxists) convinced a lot of Americans of this, sadly.
Having a stay at home mother (or other very close, loving relative) is not just preferable – it is essential to the baby's future well-being.
Why do you think we have so many "lost children" today? Drug-addicted, depressed, unemployable, suicidal. Well into their 20s, 30s and even 40s.
Very often the reason is that these young people never bonded appropriately with their parents when they were small children. This can cause psychological damage for a lifetime.
Agreed.
Day care or not, it comes down to the parents. Some stay at home moms just ignore their kids and watch daytime television all day, not really caring what their kids are up to. Other moms who might work a day job are really invested in their kids and spend a lot of quality time with them outside of work.
Yes! The voice of truth!
I can't even imagine having dropped my babies off to be in a the care of some minimum wage stranger for 8, 9, 10--12 hours a day. The best moments of my life were their lazy mornings--listening to them play and knowing they weren't being shuffled off to some cold, sterile place with 30 other kids.
It was worth every sacrifice made. No vacation, new car or TV could ever replace.