| Mother-to-be may work up to time to have the baby. | | | | and parents, as long as the care-giver can and will |
| Then the poor woman learns that sleep is often | | | | become a nurturing replacement for a parent during |
| something she vaguely remembers from the past as | | | | working hours. The baby or child should have more |
| she and the little one, with help from Dad, learn to | | | | individual attention than in daycare. |
| adjust. After a short time, if the mother had worked | | | | Parent care, if the parent is willing to be at home with |
| before and needs to work again, the baby must be | | | | the baby, is probably the most beneficial for the child. |
| left somewhere during working hours. The choices of | | | | Note the use of parent care rather than mother care. |
| where baby will stay are mainly from daycare, | | | | One couple has worked out a schedule so that while |
| in-home care, parent care, or family care. | | | | the mother works, the father stays home with the |
| Daycares come in two flavors: an organizational type, | | | | baby. The mother's income is considerably higher than |
| authorized daycare or a smaller daycare provided in | | | | the father's. Another couple change shifts: The mother |
| someone's home. The organizational or school type | | | | works days while the father cares for the child; and |
| does provide "classes" for children enrolled, but there | | | | the father works nights while the mother is home with |
| are anywhere from ten to fifteen children per | | | | baby. Values and experiences parents wish for the |
| "teacher" or care-giver. Most will not accept infants | | | | child aren't compromised under such care. |
| under three months old. | | | | Family care is another option that some parents find. A |
| Some smaller in-home type daycares provide more | | | | grandparent, aunt, cousin, or other family member |
| individual attention for children enrolled and provides a | | | | either cares for the baby in the parents' home or in his |
| more likely place for infants under three months of | | | | or her home. In such situations, if the care-giver is able, |
| age. The problem is that too many "private" daycares | | | | the child receives all the individual care as in any home |
| accept too many charges for the number of adults | | | | and hopefully the training needed to prepare him or her |
| caring for the young ones. Also, learning experiences | | | | for school and society. |
| aren't always provided. | | | | The right decision depends on the family situation and |
| Home care may come in the form of a nanny or other | | | | even the sacrifices a mother or parents are giving to |
| care-giver who comes to the home of the infant or | | | | make for a baby. A must, though, if a baby is to be left |
| child. If both parents must work, and they have the | | | | in another's care, is for parents to research and |
| income, this may be the "ideal" situation for the child | | | | investigate before the need for child care arises. |