I Thought You Would Enjoy This (Or Be Annoyed Like Me lol)

[LadyK8]

I seriously want to cry reading this thread.

I'm also looking forward to seeing my mom shortly, God willing, so that I can thank her for being an attentive mother while raising 9 children by herself and working full-time.

For all those times she panicked when she thought she'd be picking us up from daycare late. For all those times she had my brothers carry us in her room while we were sleeping so that we could sleep with her.

Sorry for hijacking this thread, but this struck a cord with me.

[Cradle2crayons]

I find his very sad also.

I grew up a latch key kid from age 6 years old and up. I woke up for school alone... fame home from school alone... Got my own breakfast alone....

When I got older I played ball... And I was there alone... Watching my team mates parents there hugging their kids telling hem good job... Knowing my own parents were home from work on a Saturday or that time in the afternoon but didn't care enough to be there to hug me.

It was a very lonely child hood that haunts me even to this day....

[sugar buzz]

I have a DCB and DCG, who are here from opening to closing. Their parents are both professionals, who argue over who has to leave work and come get him and his sister. Today, DCM told me that "it's not about quantity, it's about quality." What I don't think they realize is that "quality" is not a token weekend trip to the zoo or the once-a-year beach vacation that they love to brag about and post
on Facebook. I think that to a child quality time is just being there and being accessible--so it kind of is about quantity.

[grandmom]

I find his very sad also.

I grew up a latch key kid from age 6 years old and up. I woke up for school alone... fame home from school alone... Got my own breakfast alone....

When I got older I played ball... And I was there alone... Watching my team mates parents there hugging their kids telling hem good job... Knowing my own parents were home from work on a Saturday or that time in the afternoon but didn't care enough to be there to hug me.

It was a very lonely child hood that haunts me even to this day....

C2C. I'm sad for you. I'm sure you have been diligent to break this behavior pattern so that your own children will know that unconditional love that comes from time. You can't have quality time with out quantity first.

[Cradle2crayons]

C2C. I'm sad for you. I'm sure you have been diligent to break this behavior pattern so that your own children will know that unconditional love that comes from time. You can't have quality time with out quantity first.

Absolutely!! And this is one reason I've moved mountains to never miss any firsts... As well as never miss a ball game, school event, field trip, you name it.

I've done things different all around... BECAUSE of how I grew up.

My parents still haven't changed. And because of that, my kids don't have grandparents at all wanting to be in their life.

But they know their parents love them and are always there, no matter what.

[llpa]

I can't believe they can even sit there an brag about it!
Like they are getting away with something so brilliantly planned!?
Shame on them!
Some day they will grow up (themselves) and realize it's too late to get any of what their missing back.

Yes!

[craftymissbeth]

This is so sad

I had someone contact me who used to be a daycare provider. She just recently moved here. She works until 6:30 pm, but her boyfriend gets off at 3:30. He's not the child's father, but they live together. said he want alone time in the evenings so she would pick dcg up at 6:45. Nope. No way. I told her it'd be $150 per week for 6:45 OR $95 for 3:45... I was hoping she'd get the hint that I don't want kids here that late unless absolutely necessary. Nope, instead she said she could do $75 for a 5:30 pick up this isn't a freaking negotiation, lady!

I said sorry it doesn't look like we're on the same page. Good luck!

Anyway, it makes me sad for kids whose parents just can't be bothered.

[jenn]

Wow! I guess they won't be winning any parent of the year awards!

[Bookworm]

This supports my theory that children are now the new accessory. You're supposed to have them because society says so. I see this too much in my center.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Terrible, but not at all shocking. I've seen it, especially amongst the wealthy. Not the working wealthy either, the idle wealthy. They spend tons of money on gadgets, activities and other " stuff " to keep kids out of their hair. I call them stay in bed moms.
On the flip side, some of the lower income and downright poor families........they are the most involved and attentive. I don't see this as solely an income issue however, it's an attitude and priorities issue, IMO.

[katzan]

Wow... if you don't even want to spend time with your kids, why have them to begin with.