Does anybody like their kids?

[Geek]

I keep meeting people that don't seem to like being with their kids. Dropping them off at daycare on their day off from work or every day during their week long vacation. I met one mom who was thrilled to have found a day camp for her kids that started at 6:00am and she didn't have to pick them up until 6:00 pm. She looks at me and says she couldn't take them all day long. She doesn't even have a job. I told her I love being with my kids and she looked at me like I was crazy. I just don't get it. My kids are my favorite people on the planet. I just don't get the I need "my" time.

[Ponytail]

Originally Posted by Geek

I keep meeting people that don't seem to like being with their kids. Dropping them off at daycare on their day off from work or every day during their week long vacation. I met one mom who was thrilled to have found a day camp for her kids that started at 6:00am and she didn't have to pick them up until 6:00 pm. She looks at me and says she couldn't take them all day long. She doesn't even have a job. I told her I love being with my kids and she looked at me like I was crazy. I just don't get it. My kids are my favorite people on the planet. I just don't get the I need "my" time.

Kids are a product of the parents. 'nuff said.

[vraiblonde]

I always like my kids and I like my step-daughters, too. There's no harm in getting a sitter so you and the hubby can go to a movie or dinner, or getting one occasionally so you can treat yourself to a pedicure or shopping trip. But if you need that much "my" time, why bother to have kids in the first place?

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

But if you need that much "my" time, why bother to have kids in the first place?

Cause you can't stuff 'em back in...

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by kwillia

Cause you can't stuff 'em back in

Okay, but Geek said "kids". You'd think after the first one, the mom would have figured out she didn't really want 'em around.

[kwillia]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

Okay, but Geek said "kids". You'd think after the first one, the mom would have figured out she didn't really want 'em around.

Yeah but what if it's the 2nd one she's really trying to get away from...

Seriously, Geeky seems pretty quick to judge it a bad thing that a parent would take their kid to daycare on a day the parent has off. As a working mom, I can think of a million things I have had to do on a midweek day off that were better off being done without small kids in tow. I'm not saying there aren't parents that do it just to get away from their kids. I'm just saying not all parents have evil intentions. Good grief...

[Ken King (Premo)]

What about those that pay the fixed fee whether the kids are there or not. For them why not take that day to do things while the person being paid to care for the child does it?

[Nickel]

Originally Posted by Ken King

What about those that pay the fixed fee whether the kids are there or not. For them why not take that day to do things while the person being paid to care for the child does it?

Sometimes I'd take off an entire day for something like a dr's appt. I'd drop him off at regular time at day care and run errands or whatever during the day, then pick him up for his appt or at the regular time. Usually people take off work for a reason, they have something to do that can't necessarily be done with a child in tow. I love spending time with my son, but he also loved being with his friends at the babysitter's house. Him socializing and having his routine was much more beneficial than being toted around while I ran around doing things that would make him miserably bored. And on top of it all, if you've paid for the child to be there, they might as well be.

[Geek]

I understand the need for daycare. I guess what I am saying is that people get used to dropping the kids off and making things easier for themselves. Your child has their whole life to socialize, your time with them is so precious, they only get to be kids once, most kids love to be with their parents doing anything at all. The case that got me started is a person I know has had two children one is 6 weeks and one is 3. They are in daycare from 6:00 am to 6 or 7 at night. 3 weekends out of the month they are at Grandma's house. It just seems crazy to me. She treats them like accessories. As far as keeping them in daycare because you paid for it, I think that kids' lives and memories are more important than the money you pay to the provider. I am crazy about my kids, I am thankful for every moment they are here. We had the death of a 3 1/2 year old in the family, so I guess time looks really special to me, I feel like I can not waste a second.

[Nickel]

Originally Posted by Geek

I understand the need for daycare. I guess what I am saying is that people get used to dropping the kids off and making things easier for themselves. Your child has their whole life to socialize, your time with them is so precious, they only get to be kids once, most kids love to be with their parents doing anything at all. The case that got me started is a person I know has had two children one is 6 weeks and one is 3. They are in daycare from 6:00 am to 6 or 7 at night. 3 weekends out of the month they are at Grandma's house. It just seems crazy to me. She treats them like accessories. As far as keeping them in daycare because you paid for it, I think that kids' lives and memories are more important than the money you pay to the provider. I am crazy about my kids, I am thankful for every moment they are here. We had the death of a 3 1/2 year old in the family, so I guess time looks really special to me, I feel like I can not waste a second.

I agree with you. If you have the opportunity to stay at home with your kids, it's great. My son and I actually get along a lot better now that we're home together every day. However, if both parents need to work, they shouldn't be made to feel guilty about putting their child in day care. Some families cannot support themselves on one income. The situation you speak of is not the norm, and it's unfair to lump all parents of kids in daycare into this group of uncaring people. I love my son, more than life itself, but when I had to work, my only option was day care. I didn't have the option of staying at home with him.