| This study stemmed from my interest in the effects of daycare on children following the predicament of maternity leaves that end with the expectation of returning to work. The decision to return to a career following the birth of a child is difficult, complicated, and tainted with many opinions, expert research, and personal feelings as to what is best for a young child in the early years of development. The many factors and stressors underscoring this decision, however, are frequently at odds with what is best for both the child and the mother. Separating from an attached child is not always desirable but often necessary for many mothers struggling to survive in such a financially uncertain economy in order to provide for their children and families.;This research uses narrative as the method to uncover the positive and negative effects of daycare on my child specifically, and uses secondary research to support findings, as well as my personal feelings and claims about daycare and parenting practices. The study is intended to be a documentation of a personal journey, and as well could serve as an educational tool for other parents facing similar situations with decisions to be made. The dilemma is clear, and so is the research in support of maternal care, so what is left is a balancing act and a sequence of decisions made based upon what is best for the child. |
