Who is raising your child?

This is something dear to my heart and I just haven't been motivated to write about it until today. I just read a post at Farm home life about the subject of kids being raised in daycare. She notes that people go to work and are more focused on material things then on what their children are doing, seeing and learning. I know there are some families out there that feel they NEED to have both working parents. I also know that the majority of those that feel that way, really don't. I believe almost anyone can make it work on one income, if they tried. Or if they WANTED to.

Trixie did a great job of making that argument, so I will take it a step further here and say what happens when that child has had a mom home with them for 5 years raising them, loving them, nurturing them, and teaching them, and then one day that mom ships her child off to school half the day to learn from someone else? (and don't even get me started on full day kindergarten!) Soon the child is gone to school for a full day and again parents wonder why their child came home with thoughts and attitudes they don't approve of. I would pose the question of how is it ok to say "Don't send your child to daycare because someone else is raising them" and yet its ok with those same people to send their child to school for 8hours a day?

Someone else is raising your children! Don't be confused about that. You don't see your child for 7-8 hours a day and someone else, whether teachers or peers, is instructing and teaching, molding and shaping your child's thoughts and attitudes towards life.

I know this is a controversial issue, and I know not everyone thinks they can homeschool, but I want people to own it. I want everyone to look at their choices, and know they are choosing to let others raise their children. If that is ok with you, then that's fine. I am not saying everyone has to do it this way, but acknowledge it. Don't pretend that because you look over the homework and attend the PTA meetings that makes you in charge of their education.

Being an involved parent at your child's school is great! And I think it is a must! And being an involved parent, makes you a good, no a great parent. But don't think you have any say in what your child is really learning. You can try to counter the things you don't like when they get home, but think of this... your child gets up at 6:45am and leaves for school by 7:30am. He is gone until 3:30pm when he comes home, spends the afternoon playing and doing a bit of homework, then goes to bed at 8pm. You saw that child a total of 5 hours and 15 minutes...his teachers and peers saw him for 8 hours. Who do you think will have more influence?

I know if anyone reads this I am going to get some harsh comments, but I just want people to think about it, and own their decisions.