Did you have a stay-at-home parent when you were a small child? You might have, but today it is even less common. Slightly fewer than one in three children have a stay-at-home parent full-time. Working parents have several options when considering child care management solutions, depending on whether they have family members available. Some parents may chose a good daycare to avoid conflict, and to be reassured that their child is learning the skills they will need for kindergarten.
The Pros and Cons of Asking a Family Member to Watch Your Child.
When you ask a close family member to watch your small child, there are some obvious perks. It is likely the child is comfortable with them, and may not be as upset when you leave for work. If the family member comes to your house, your child is in a familiar place, and you do not need to worry about picking up and dropping off in the morning or after a long day at work.
No situation is ever perfect, and in this particular instance there are some potential pitfalls. It needs to be said: even though the person is a family member, it does not mean they automatically know how to take care of your child. This is especially true if the family member chosen is on the younger side and in need of job. It is nice to want to help out a family member if they need help. But when money comes into the picture, there is a good chance that things might get awkward at some point. It would be best to have a very clear outline in terms of payment, days off, and emergency situations.
The Pros and Cons of a Good Daycare.
If you are thinking about putting your child in daycare while you are at work (or school), they are in good company: about 32.7 million children are in some sort of childcare arrangement. And unlike when a child stays with a family member, daycare payments are impersonal, and can be automated each week or month for convenience. One less thing to worry about can make life easier.
One benefit of a daycare is the curriculum. Kindergarten has become more demanding in recent years, and young children who are prepared can be more confident in attending school than their peers. Because of the Common Core Standard, prospective kindergarteners are encouraged to know how to use scissors, how to count to twenty, their colors and shapes, and a few other things as well. A daycare teacher will have more experience helping small children learn over a family member, unless that family member was a teacher themselves.
Of course, leaving your child in the care of anyone other than yourself can be stressful for both of you. That is why, no matter who or where you choose, it is important to do your research and trust your instincts.
