Comments on: New Mom Candace Parker Returns to the Court

By: CelebBabyLover

CelebBabyLover — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:12:29 +0000

Crystal- Right on! Also, for some women, if they waited until they were in a position to stay home with their kids, they might never have kids! Some women need to work, period!

By: Crystal

Crystal — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:30:55 +0000

I just wanted to say one more thing. I totally agree with MZ! Some mother’s cannot afford to take more than 4-6 weeks off from there jobs. I understand what some of the posters are saying but two years out of the work force is nearly impossible for some. I think you do what works for you and your family. A happy mother is a happy baby! PERIOD!!

By: Crystal

Crystal — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:25:34 +0000

Candace Parker is quickly becoming one of my favorite athlete moms! I ♥ her and her family! I CAN’T WAIT to see pictures of Lailaa! I’ll be she’s BEAUTIFUL!!!

By: Sam & Freya's Mum

Sam & Freya's Mum — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:55:20 +0000

Anna and Fuzibuni: ITA with both of you.

By: Lorus

Lorus — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:08:13 +0000

If someone has the financial means to stay home then I definitely think that they should with their baby. 7 weeks is way too young in my opinion to head back to work. She’s got money and I’m sure staying home for another 6 months wouldn’t set back her career.

By: fuzibuni

fuzibuni — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:44:03 +0000

MZ,
I’m saying what most child development experts agree upon… that it’s best for babies to be close to their mothers at LEAST for the first two years while their brains and nervous systems are rapidly developing.

If infants are away from their moms for long periods of time their brains do not grow in the same way and they often have problems with attachment.
Many people think that is part of the reason why american kids have higher rates of developmental issues compared to other ‘first world’ countries.

It is a sad state of affairs that many women in the US are not able to stay home with their babies and those who are able to consider themselves “lucky.”

I do not have kids yet because I am not currently in a position to stay at home with them. I think it is unfair to both mother and child to be working so soon after giving birth. It creates a lot of stress for both of them, and I just don’t understand why women would have kids only to put them in daycare at a month or two old. And while friends and family are wonderful resources for short term care, they cannot replace the comfort a child feels with their mother.

I imagine this will draw criticism from many women who have had to go back to work after 4 or 6 weeks… but so be it.
I wish more women would consider this issue before they decide to have kids.

By: Anna

Anna — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:05:57 +0000

I personally think 7 weeks is too short. I hope she realizes that she can never get that time with her baby back, they grow so fast.

By: Sarah M.

Sarah M. — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:31:39 +0000

Sanja – I’m not sure where you’re from, but I had heard that in Canada the mom get 1 year paid maternity leave. In the US, as MZ mentioned, it is typically 4-6 weeks. I’ve even come across a few families that the mother had to go back to work as soon as 2 weeks after. (This subject also came up in an article about Jill Hennessey a few months back.) I’m not sure about other western countries, though.

By: Sanja

Sanja — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:27:40 +0000

MZ -I’m sure no one is attacking the mothers that have to go back to work after 6 weeks, since they have no choice if they want to keep their job.

But I feel that research showing that it’s detrimental to the children’s development should be pointed out at every opportunity, since that is the only way to get state regulations and employers’ rules changed (which they should definitely do in this case).

I’m not sure but as far as I know most countries in the Western world have longer maternity leave (+ most have paternity leave also included). Maybe someone has more info about it?

By: MZ

MZ — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:36:52 +0000

Many women can’t take more than 4-6 weeks maternity leave here in the states. That’s all that work will allow. It’s great that you could take more time with your kids, Fizubuni (I’m assuming you did and that’s why you made that comment), but you should realize many women can’t afford to take more time (not talking about celebs here, but regular everyday women). I get to stay home with my son and I realize I am very lucky to be able to do that and definitely not the average woman.