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From: preece@uicsl.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: RE:  The Kids of Shangri-La - (nf)
Message-ID: <22800013@uicsl.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 27-Apr-84 23:44:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: uicsl.22800013
Posted: Fri Apr 27 23:44:00 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 29-Apr-84 07:15:41 EDT
References: <810@ihuxw.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:ihuxw:-81000:uicsl:22800013:000:1536
Nf-From: uicsl!preece    Apr 27 22:44:00 1984

#R:ihuxw:-81000:uicsl:22800013:000:1536
uicsl!preece    Apr 27 22:44:00 1984

There's no question that the quality of the home experience and the
day care experience differ.  I would not have wanted my kids in day
care full time, but I would not have wanted them at home full time
either.  The interaction with other kids and the knowledge that
someone other than their parents could be nice to be with were very
important parts of their development.  Both made significant language
and skill gains after starting daycare (this was in someone's home,
with about 5 other kids).  Our elder child made a very easy transition
to nursery school because she was not scared of being away from home.

I doubt that I would have left my job to raise kids if my wife had made
more than I.  It definitely would have affected our planning.  When I
AM home (and that was a significant chunk of the normal working day
until recently) I tended to have more patience and ability to cope,
largely because I didn't have to be patient and cope all day.  Now,
working more hours and being home less, I have found that context switching
is much harder and I'm not as good at it.

If I learned that someone at the school had told my kids not to hit someone
back because Jesus said not to, I would find another school damned fast.

Your kids know when you care.  No matter how much of your time they get,
they'll always want more.  There's no reason they have to get all of it if
you can find a good care facility.  Diversity is very important in raising
kids that accept change and differences.

scott preece
ihnp4!uiucdcs!ccvaxa!preece