Unique contributions to society

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Unique contributions to society
1504
Thu, 10-19-2006 - 4:12pm

In another thread, the "unique" contributions of SAHM's were alluded to but it wasn't stated what they are. Let's play a game and find out what they are. First, pretend that as of tomorrow, all moms SAH and detail what will be missing from society then pretend that all moms go to work and detail what will be missing from society. I'm really curious as to what people think a world without SAHM's orWOHM's would look like.

If all the moms who SAH went to work then the library would move story hour to the evening and summer vacation bible school would be held in the evenings so that all kids can attend and not just the kids of SAHM's. Banks would likely shift their hours to later in the day and you'd see more 24 hour stores. I think there would be more home cooking style restaurants too. I think day care centers would improve because of increased demand.

If all moms who WOH suddenly SAH, you'd see fewer service industries around because moms could do things themselves instead of paying for them. The nursing shortage would be more of a shortage. We'd probably have a shortage of teachers too. There'd be fewer government services because there'd be less tax dollars to pay for them. I can't think of anything else right now.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 11:59am
We are morning people. My boys are up by 6:30am. The younger one usually by 6:am. Afternoon kindergarten wasn't a good fit.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2000
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 12:35pm

I can certainly understand how it wouldn't work for everyone. When my dd did it, she was the oldest so my others were not in school yet. As it happened, my son was in PM preschool as well. It worked for me b/c I had two at home who were still napping. It gave me time to do chores around the house and have a little downtime while my two youngest were asleep.

Now, my second one is in kindergarten, they no longer have PM kindergarten (they are phasing out half-day), so he goes in the morning. This actually works well yet again b/c dh takes him and dd to school on his way to work saving me the noon dropoff. A friend picks him up afterward and brings him home, then I go in the afternoon to pick up my older dd (and my friend's older dd).

By the time my 3rd gets there, it will be moot b/c he'll have to go all day. I'm actually a little nervous about him going all day (compared to my first two who would have done fine). He tires much more easily than my other two, so I know it's going to a rough transition for him!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 1:17pm
Why, we are superhuman of course :) I always tell people when I had one I felt busy, when I had two I felt busy, by four I am busy and a little insane--but we all get used to it. You deal with the choices you make and it isn't some major accomplishment to have pushed out a couple of extras ;) Of course I am celebrating today because it is the last soccer practice of the year--freeing up 3 nights a week until basketball starts mid-November. On the other hand I just got hit with coaching my daughter's team so I will need to up the xanax at that point....
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 1:27pm
I am salivating at he thought of all day kindergarten next year!!! Our kindy runs fron 8:00 to 10:30...my son was in preschool for 2 more hours than he is in kindy. (Therefore I send him to our Montessori kindy 3 afternoons a week). Our extended day kids get an extra snack, a recess, and a quiet period during their afternoons so it is not as if they are being pushed ridiculously harder. Just enough to get them caught up. I, too, loved afternoon kindy. My older two did it, but it was ended to allow for extended day kindy so my 3rd is in morning...
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 1:30pm
i don't believe children do thrive in an *all day* setting,preschool roped in......nope,no statistics to back it up,jmoho. it's hard to judge the kid whose been conditioned to put up with that but irl,the parents that gripe and defend their *all day* choices are the ones who really don't have the choice of one or the other - they htwoh,thus have to opt for an all day program.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 1:38pm

It would be nice if there were a greater appreciation for the wide RANGE of normal development for ages 4-7.

Nothing like starting your academic career being told that you are way, way behind.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2006
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 1:40pm

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I'm sure that not all children do. But there are definitely children who DO benefit from that sort of setting. My two certainly did. What do you mean by roped in? I've never seen children "roped in" in daycare or preschool or full-day kindergarten.

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Since when is supporting their decisions "griping"? I know of MANY children who do not have dual WOHPs that are voluntarily in all-day preschool (at the public school) and kindergartent. They also support that choice, as it is the best for their kid.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 1:40pm

The difference I see is the difference between an infant and a five-year-old. I hope everyone sees that difference, regardless of what kind of care they believe is appropriate for those ages.

I didn't see any benefit to group care for my kids when they were babies and toddlers. If someone else sees a benefit for their kids at that age, then it would make sense for them to consider group care.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 1:40pm
I like the flexibility of choosing. I have two children who went half day and two who went full day. It was the "right" choice for each individual child. I guess I should be grateful for having the choice.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 1:42pm

I'm not looking for intense academics in a preschool. Preschool is for learning social skills and becoming comfortable in a group setting, with a little bit of group "education" thrown in as an introduction. It's also another opportunity to learn through play.

Why would you feel that you have to send your child all day just because a preschool/daycare offers that option? Why would you rule out ones that do offer that option? I can understand if you feel like you can't afford it, but if money is not a factor why wouldn't you just choose the best program for your child?

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