WORKING PARENTS' KIDS

Today I joined an online debate about working v. stay-at-home moms. There are a lot of misconceptions.

Many studies show kids are better off with a parent at home. It's a fact that makes us working parents cringe with guilt. But remember: that's a statistic, not a guarantee. Our kids aren't doomed to failure because we work and they're in daycare! And kids with moms at home aren't guaranteed success -- just a better CHANCE. Plenty of those kids fail, too.

I think you'll find many parents work FOR their children -- not for houses, cars and vacations, but to afford better schools (often in more expensive neighborhoods) and build college savings. For single parents, it's not even an option.

Staying home is ideal -- I admire those who've made it work and hope to join you one day. But just being at home isn't what benefits the child. It's knowing how to foster success and navigate life -- and some parents have no clue beyond Gymboree and play dates.

Children turn out best when they come from loving homes that foster education, good behavior, and spiritual and moral values. That's possible for two-parent working families, too - it's just harder.

Like a good news story, the form is important but it's the CONTENT that counts.

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