This letter is associated with the following article:
Letters
Wednesday, November 2, 2005 12:00 AM

Day scare

Will child care stunt your kid's social skills? Three studies find downsides, but the results aren't as terrifying as they seem.

Read other letters about this article

  • Wednesday, November 2, 2005 06:26 PM

    Daycare

    Goodness me. More about daycare. My three kids all went to good daycare in Ames, Iowa, where most of the teachers were trained at the Iowa State University Child Development school. The center I used was clean, comfortable, and safe. They started going at about 2 and a half, after in home care a few hours per day every day. The kids are now 27, 23, and 13. The older ones are gainfully employed, socially well adjusted, articulate, and liberal. They have always done well in school, always had friends, and firmly believe in daycare for their own children when they have them. When they were in daycare, I actually thought their social skills were pretty good. They knew how to look adults in the eye and ask for what they wanted. They knew how to share and take turns. They knew how to buddy up and walk in a group down the street. They were not always happy, but they lived an orderly and enjoyable life. They show no attachment problems, and they are enterprising. I think good daycare is great, and I also think that we should never forget that not every mom is a great constant companion for her kids. Some moms are neurotic, unhappy, angry, frustrated, and demanding. Best not to be stuck in the house with her. See Cary for more info on what can happen on that front.

Most Active Letters Threads

502

The crazy, irrational beliefs of Muslims

Tom Friedman explains the real problem: stupid Muslims think the U.S. is about war and aggression.
426

A key British official reminds us of the forgotten anthrax attack

A vast array of establishment and expert sources do not believe this episode was really resolved.
257

The face of rotted Washington

Evan Bayh demands more debt-financed war - fought by others - while boasting that he's a stern "deficit hawk."
210

Is Obama's civil liberties record understandable?

Was it unreasonable to expect him to adhere to his commitments regarding the Constitution?
122

Bigotry wins in Switzlerland

By voting to ban the construction of minarets, Switzerland apes the most extreme intolerance in the Muslim world

View all »

Letters Help

Currently in Salon