This issue is surrounded in debate because there are two good choices. Stay at home with bub - good choice. Have a career and be a strong independant female role model - good choice. If the issue was black and white - good and bad, the choice would be easy and the debate would not exist. Kerryn

Which one of your guests was basing their information on research and which one was basing their information on their own opinion?

My husband and I knew our (now 4yo) daughter needed us at least until 2. We were adamant NO daycare until after 2. I had the 1st year off, my husband the 2nd, now my husbands job allows him to be home by midday so she benefits on non d/care days. We are proud we sacrificed, we see the benefits.

In my opinion spending some time away from your baby is healthy for their social skills. Often being home all day, you are busy doing household chores and don't spend the same quality time you do when you have been away and all focus when you see your child again is on them.

I'm Sorry, but how dare someone tell me that I am a bad Mum for going back to work when my children are being looked after by someone I trust.
I am a single mum and love my kids and my work, surely I can make a balnce between the 2.
Different families have different situations, Kylie from Tassie

The one part of this argument I time and time again fail to hear raised is the plain and simple fact that there are families the MUST work in order to make ends meet. To those of you Mums out there who are fortunate enough to have the luxury of making the decision to stay home - lucky you! Enjoy your time with your babies. For those of us who struggle to find the balance - just let us do what we have to do without judgement. Mutual support should be the wave of the future!!

The advice that I was given is that you shouldn't send your child to childcare until they are old enough to tell you exactly what happened to them that day and who was the culprit.

There are other options wen it comes time to go back to work. I am a Family Day Carer, i am a fully quailified . Children are cared for by the same person, in a home environment. The is consistancy of care no more than 5 children inclding the carers own children. we become the childs 2nd Mum,or dad.

Do the people who criticize mum's for the decision that is rightfully their own realise how difficult it is for them without the unwarranted pressure of society debating whether there choice is right or wrong. How unfair and what pressure we are placed under.

As I sufferered from pnd quite severly after the birth of our 3rd child 10 months ago my children are all in full time child care so that my husband can work and I have no say in it at all. I am sitting at home all alone wanting nothing more than to be a stay at home mum with my kids.