Alberta Advantage' does not include toddlers and working moms

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Sorry, this confuses me. You said 150 hours per kid for 1000 kids? That is 150 000 hours... Considering there are only 8760 hours in a year I think you numbers are off. If you mean 150 hours per year that is a little more believable to me but still leaves you far from experienced in child raising.

But if he looks after 1000 kids in 14 years that's about 72 kids per year on average. Then the 150 hours per year for 72 kids means he only spends about 2 minutes and 4.8 seconds with each kid. Which leads me to believe that he makes poodles out of balloons at Eau Claire market on Saturdays.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by fotze

That guy makes some rude balloons if you can get him with no kids around.


Just to summarize this thread for the coles notes.

Parents both work makes you a child hater. Women stays home you are a women-hater.

I am all for 3 years of male mat leave. Would give me a chance to catch up on some soaps...

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by fotze

Having a 2.5 year old, I am definately not jealous of my wife staying home. I have about a 500th of the patience of her.

I agree. It is HARD work to stay home. I did it for a week while my wife went to San Diego with her sisiter. I am surprised we still have kids.

This is another reason why I think is ok for both parnets to work. Gives them a break from the kids so you have the patience and energy to spend some quality time with them. 2-3 hours OF quailty is ALOT better that 8 hours of yelling at them etc... because they are driving you nuts.

Trust me I love my kids but I do not think I could stay home with them ALL the time. I would go mental.

[troutman]

I believe that children are our future . . .

[Azure]

Originally Posted by troutman

I believe that children are our future . . .

...and therefore the government shouldn't have anything to say about the way they are raised.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by fotze

Having a 2.5 year old, I am definately not jealous of my wife staying home. I have about a 500th of the patience of her.

I agree 100%. I used to think that being a stay-at-home dad would be my dream...then we had kids. Its not the romaticized trips to the ice-cream shop and playing in the sandbox that I was hoping!!

Once that sunk in (approximately 12 hours after birth) I decided that if my wife wanted to stay home that would be great. I wasn't about to give up my career though, so if she wanted to work I was great with that as well.

I might not have the patience required to deal with the kids all day...so being pro-life for my kids, I defend a right for the woman to choose!

[V]

Personally, I just can't imagine being ok with strangers raising your kids. For what, a few measley bucks? No thanks.

But if that's your thing, have at 'er, I suppose. Chase that dream.

We seem to get by on one income. I'm not really sure what all the hoopla is about driving a brand new car, living in a brand new house, playing with all the brand new toys. Personally I'm fine trading all that for the knowledge that the one person in this world who cares the most about my children is actually raising my children.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by troutman

I believe that children are our future . . .

(smacks crack pipe out of hands)

Bad Whitney. No bodyguard for you.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by V

Personally, I just can't imagine being ok with strangers raising your kids. For what, a few measley bucks? No thanks.

So it's home-schooling for your kids?

I wonder if the parents who have kids in daycare look at the staff at that daycare as "strangers".

Me, I don't have kids and I don't expect to ever have them, so I don't have any stake in this matter. I am kind of surprised at the restraint shown by the people who do have kids in daycare though. It's gotta be kind of annoying when some anonymous internet preacher tells you that you are a bad parent.

[troutman]

It takes a village to raise a child - Hillary C.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Slava

I agree 100%. I used to think that being a stay-at-home dad would be my dream...then we had kids. Its not the romaticized trips to the ice-cream shop and playing in the sandbox that I was hoping!!

Once that sunk in (approximately 12 hours after birth) I decided that if my wife wanted to stay home that would be great. I wasn't about to give up my career though, so if she wanted to work I was great with that as well.

I might not have the patience required to deal with the kids all day...so being pro-life for my kids, I defend a right for the woman to choose!

Ours is 18 months old and I love her to bits. My wife works four days a week and every other weekend. The weekends that she works are affectionately known as Daddy Daughter Days.

Some days it's by the grace of God that I'm able to make it to 3:30 when Mommy gets home.

[old-fart]

So... this is what this whole thread boils down to. Different people have different beliefs and make different choices. Shocking, I know.

Some (like my wife and I) think the early years are better spent with one parent at home, and make appropriate choices/sacrifices to make that happen.

Others want to work (or have to), enjoy time away from the children, want stimulation outside the family, whatever - and make those sacrifices which includes (usually) putting the kids in a daycare.

Personally, I don't expect the government to treat either group better or worse. If the government wants to subsidize childcare spaces, fine - but they better be doing something for those of us that want to raise our kids ourselves. If the government wants to reward stay-at-home parents, cool - but they better be doing something for those that either can't or don't want to stay at home.

I have sympathy for those that HAVE to work and put their kids in child care (single moms for example). I have limited sympathy for those that don't HAVE to, but want to - and expect some help from the government to live they way the want to live.

As for those citing a need for external stimulation to make "better parents" - external stimulation does not ONLY come from 9-5 Monday to Friday jobs. My wife stays home with our kids. She's also on the board of directors for the local Toy Library, volunteers at the school, and is the chair of the school council. She gets plenty of external stimulation, not counting her kick boxing that she does twice a week.

[V]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

So it's home-schooling for your kids?

I wonder if the parents who have kids in daycare look at the staff at that daycare as "strangers".

Me, I don't have kids and I don't expect to ever have them, so I don't have any stake in this matter. I am kind of surprised at the restraint shown by the people who do have kids in daycare though. It's gotta be kind of annoying when some anonymous internet preacher tells you that you are a bad parent.

No, it'll be private school. I'll know the teachers well, and will be able to have far more influence in the system than a public school.

BTW, I'm not calling anyone a bad parent, if my post is what you're referring to. I just don't get it. They can do as they wish, for all I care.

[V]

Oh, I totally would be. I can't wait, two years to go.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by old-fart

Personally, I don't expect the government to treat either group better or worse. If the government wants to subsidize childcare spaces, fine - but they better be doing something for those of us that want to raise our kids ourselves. If the government wants to reward stay-at-home parents, cool - but they better be doing something for those that either can't or don't want to stay at home.

And here is, as you know, a huge disparity. I cannot claim an $1,800 montly deduction on my taxes for my wife to stay home with the children.

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

And here is, as you know, a huge disparity. I cannot claim an $1,800 montly deduction on my taxes for my wife to stay home with the children.

Preaching to the converted brother.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

And here is, as you know, a huge disparity. I cannot claim an $1,800 montly deduction on my taxes for my wife to stay home with the children.

But you're not making as much money as a two income family so you don't need the deduction

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

And here is, as you know, a huge disparity. I cannot claim an $1,800 montly deduction on my taxes for my wife to stay home with the children.

Just get your wife to babysit two other kids and send yours to daycare. Problem solved.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by fotze

Makes you wonder. Ironhorse, how about we set up "Daycares", you send yours to mine and I send mine to yours. Not like they are going to do spot checks to see if the right kid went to it. I pay a fee and you pay a fee. Should work out fine.

Brilliant, can my kids be involved in this "daycare"?

[stuck_in_chuk]

First off, I will agree with those who have mentioned that the woman in the article is hardly sympathetic. Especially since she is not working for the money - as was pointed out, she would be further ahead to stay at home and collect EI until the baby was 1 year old than working and paying for daycare.

As some people have alluded, one of the big problems in Alberta is a labour shortage. Having one parent leave the workforce to stay at home with baby will exacerbate the shortage. I have a friend who, after her first pregnancy, was constantly hassled by her employer wanting her to return to work "early" - they started about 3 months into her mat leave. This was due to the labour shortage, and the fact that many are unwilling to take over a short-term mat leave position that they will be forced out of when (if) mom returns.

Personally, I'd like to see more larger employers offer some kind of daycare for their employees. This would alleviate the demand for private daycare services, and has been shown to encourage job loyalty. It would also allow the parent an opportunity to spend time with child during the day while at work. Win/win situation for employer and employee.