Stated An Opinion.

And got some great comments on my Facebook status.  Well, that’s the way it goes when you state your opinion in a somewhat judgemental manner, I suppose.  I’m not sorry I said it.

 

This is what I said:

 

Suddenly so mad I could spit nails. Not sure why this topic is so angering to me, but today it is! Babies should not be in daycare for the social development!!!! Babies should be with their mommas if at all possible! Babies do not NEED social development unless that social development is bonding with immediate family and friends! Daycare is a necessary evil in my opinion! Daycare is for mommas who HAVE TO work.

 

It was the heat of the moment.  It was exasperation at an imperfect world where a friend (actually the very first sitter my oldest two girls ever had) has to work to keep a roof over her baby’s head.  He has to go to daycare.  Another comment on her status talked about him getting “good social development” while there.  If you are really interested in all that was said on my post above you can find the comments HERE.  (You might have to be my friend on Facebook to see it though.)

 

The conversation spread to other things – public school, organized sports, scouts, Sunday school and the like.  I said I wasn’t fond of any of them and that I preferred not to use / participate in them.  Nor did I necessarily want my children to participate either!  And so, I thought I’d think on it a little more and I’d post some of my beliefs and opinions and such here on my blog.

 

Maybe I haven’t thought all these things through, and that’s okay.  I haven’t arrived; I’m on a journey and I’m learning.  That’s why I appreciated the Facebook conversation so much.  I was given a chance to look at the daycare issue from other perspectives.  I went to college to be a daycare worker / director, but I may have lost that perspective over the years.

 

So here’s some things that, at this point, I believe to be true and right and good . . . . . .

 

Whenever possible, children should be at home, with Mom.

Home schooling is the better option, for so many reasons.

I do not like age segregated events, classes or programs.

I believe the Body of Christ needs to look out for the widows and fatherless in our world today.  Being part of that body, I need to do my part too.

I think it is bad for children to be with primarily their peer group for hours a day / week.

I believe that children need lots of socialization, just of a different kind than most think.

 

The Facebook conversation today tempered my heated comment and attitude.  There are good reasons for daycares / day homes.  I understand that.  I know that they learn good things there.  I know that there are child care providers that love their jobs and the children in their care.  I get that it can be a ministry for the orphans and widows.  It’s not ideal!  Not in my opinion.

 

And who knows, these beliefs, these opinions of mine may radically change!  And I’ll have to eat my words!  (A very unpleasant meal, every. single. time.)  I may find myself in such a situation where I need to put my children in “public” care.  I will have to re-evaluate my firm position at that point.  It won’t be easy then.  As I’m sure it is not for those moms who have to work to keep food on the table, clothes on their backs and roofs over their heads!  But for the grace of God, I would be there too!

 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,