I like to think that overall, I'm a good mom. Some days are better than others, but in general, I try to provide a good example for my kids. We eat healthy, engage in physical activity like playing on the swing set or going to the park, they don't watch TV, etc. Another way I think I'm a good example is by showing them that you can be a good mom and have a career at the same time--if that's something you want. But is that a bad choice? A new British study concludes that children whose mothers work are less likely to eat healthy or exercise. My mom always worked part-time when I was growing up. It wasn't because she had to (lucky for her), but because she wanted to. She used to tell me that someday I'd understand, and when I had children, I did. I love my job wanted to continue working, so I reduced my hours to part-time. I'm lucky that I had the financial stability to make that choice. So maybe my kids are an exception to the average children in this study, but I just find the results hard to believe. The study said that "Children whose mothers were employed were more likely to have poor dietary habits, engage in more sedentary activity and be driven to school than children whose mothers had never been employed." The researchers also concluded that flexible work arrangements did not have a positive affect on developing healthy behaviors in children. I think my children can be just as healthy as a child whose mother has chosen to stay at home. I provide good examples while I'm home, and when I'm not, their grandparents (who watch them) understand my wishes and provide the same examples for me. What do you think? Do you agree with the results of the study? Why or why not? |
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