Do I go back to work and place my precious baby in the care of someone else?

There comes a time in many parents lives when they have to make a very important decision: "Do I go back to work and place my precious baby in the care of someone else?" It can be a tough call - or is it?

A friend of mine is currently going through this exact crisis question and this was what I said to her: "Is it essential to the financial needs of your little family for you to return to work?" If the answer to such a question is a "yes", then there is another question to be asked: "Could you change your situation at home in any way so that you do not need the extra financial income?" It may be true that a "yes" to this question would mean living within a new financial circumstance, but could it be done?

I have two daughters who work in nurseries caring for babies and toddlers on behalf of their mothers. My daughters tell me how sad they feel in that they are the ones who often witness the "firsts" of baby and childhood. It sometimes gets to the point where the nursery workers are called "mummy" by the children and the children are reluctant to go home. Careful consideration needs to be given to the question of whether or not money is more important than such things. Maybe it is. Maybe we live in a society where there no other option is provided for some mothers and I understand that. It is sometimes a sad fact of life, but perhaps even more sad is the ever weakening structure of traditional family life and the house not be filled with laughter and happiness resulting from experiencing those early special baby and childhood moments. Then as the childhood years continue to pass, will your young son or daughter be able to come to an inviting home with parents waiting to greet them and listen to them tell about their day? Or will they come home to a cold and empty house?

It is a tough call indeed. I know what it is like, I have been there and between us made our decision. It has not been about the woman of the house staying at home, it has been about that kingpin of the home who is so vitally important in many ways - the mother - being there for her children every single day. It has meant a lower income and a "lesser" house, but we definitely have a home and a welcome waiting.