The best childcare..

I have been musing about whether mothers should stay home to care for their little children and to provide them the comfort they require as little ones. There are many examples where children who grew up at home with mothers turn out less irritable and more amiable than kids raised in factory-like childcare centres. However, deeper thought into this made me question myself, if mothers who stay home really make better kids. That is to say, do these children grow up to become better adults although there can be a significant difference when they are young. A further thought on that, irritable kids learn from being bad, they learn from the reactions of others around them to become better adults. Wouldn't that be more effective learning than amiable kids?

The quick answer to that is, give the child the best childcare you can. You don't want to regret not trying your best. Nobody regrets trying their best. That is, nobody goes, I should've neglected my child so that he would learn what is bad more effectively. There is no need for a child to be bad to know what is bad. In fact, as adults we often see bad examples everywhere we start wondering what is GOOD?

That said, the best childcare need not require the mother to be at home all day. In fact, if you're going to be a bad mother, maybe its better to leave your child at the day care centre. The expertise at the day care could be better than a lousy mother. I'm exaggerating, as there really is no bad mother in this world. Every mother loves her child and her love can only be good, most of the time. So the best childcare is really what a parent can offer given his/her circumstances.

What then, makes a best childcare? With much musing, my friends and I concluded that confidence within a child is the result of best childcare. Does your child have the confidence to let go of your hand after you bring him to the playground and start making friends with strangers? Does your child have the confidence to perform his grade 1 piano piece to his teacher's students who are up to the Diploma standard?

How then can we build confidence in a child? Intuitively, the comfort of knowing that he is well-taken care of makes a confident child. That is why many stay-at-home mothers make better children. Yet, that is not all. Words of encouragement are critical, thence, the very disruptive pampering of grandparents can actually give a child confidence. Still, all must be done in moderation. A child too proud of himself may impede his own learning progress or social skills. 

The best childcare do make better adults. Think of it this way, a child learns the most, the fastest when he is child. Adults do not pick things up as fast and takes very long to unlearn things too. Therefore, we want to give the child our best, the best available for him so that he will grow up to become a good adult. We want to treasure every single moment of his childhood, that is why many adults send their children to ballet, painting, gymnastics, riding, swimming and many other classes.

In general, adults are doing it right. They are giving their little loved ones the best they can imagine. There are many things adults can do better and can learn to do better. Critically, whether you are stay-at-home, part-time, or working mother, give your child your best. What you can give, you would, and please do as they grow too fast for you to catch up.

I was reading my horoscope..

And was giggling at how lame but true it is..

LIBRA - The Lame One (September 23 to October 22) Nice to everyone they meet. Their love is one of a kind. Silly, funny and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! However, not the kind of person you want to mess with... you might end up crying. Libras can cause as much havoc as they can prevent. Faithful friends to the end. Can hold a grudge for years. Libras are someone you want on your side. Usually great at sports and are extreme sports fanatics. Very creative. A hopeless romantic.

With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies?

What happened to the strong little girl?
Where did the demanding princess disappear to?

A semester so tumultous,
Drains one of energy excesses.
Fears went unanswered,
As calls of distress went unheard.

As every drip of energy gathered,
Evaporates in difficult times.
And every support soul found,
Was busy and tightly wound.

How can souls be so cold,
What are such friends for?
Only a friend to the strength,
But deeply wounds the frail.

When will you return my dear?
The independent soul so precious.