Curious

I was at the doctor today with my daughter who will be two in April. She was being really good sitting down on the little kid chairs they had there. A woman came in and was asking me how old she was, etc. When I told her a strange conversation took place that shocked me. This is how it went:

Woman: How old are they when they can go to school? Three?

Me: I think so.

Woman: Can’t you put her in daycare?

I made a puzzled face not sure why I would just put her in daycare if I am at home.

Me: I wouldn’t want to do that. I love being home with her. We have a great time together.

Woman: That’s great. I know a lot of women that hate being at home with their kids.

I just made a face. I didn’t know what to say to that. How could any mother hate being home with her kids? I couldn’t imagine being at home and bringing my daughter to daycare just because. I don’t get that.

A few minutes later another woman joined her in the waiting room. From their interactions I assumed it was her daughter. They had a brief discussion and then looked at me and my daughter. The woman’s daughter made a face and shrugged. She looked annoyed. Perhaps she was one of the women that hate being at home with their kids.

Daycare is something that is there for working mothers. I don’t think it is appropriate for a mother that is home to put her kids in daycare. A child is such a gift that we shouldn’t pay someone else to raise our kids if we can do it ourselves.

Perhaps I am a minority in my thought process, but I truly hope not. Children need their mothers and if they are available they should be raised by them and not a daycare provider.

I was offended that the woman would have assumed I would just throw my kid in daycare. It was like she was talking about a dog and a kennel rather than a child. It bothered me.

When I am home with my daughter I play with her, sing songs, read books and dance with her. We have a blast. I wouldn’t trade this time with her for anything in the world.

I would like to know what some of the mothers out there think about this. If you were healthy, at home and able to entertain your child would you put them in daycare just because?