It's hard for us working Mothers, but not hard on our Daughters?!

Last week Anna and I were discussing sending our daughters to Nursery, they play so well together and are obviously delighted with each others company it's a shame that they don't see each other more often (every day rather than once a week). Now that they are walking, we've entered a much more social time and us Mummies just don't cut it as playmates 100% of the time. It's hard for me to admit it but I think DangerBaby wants to go to 'school' (and leave Mummy in tears by the school gate).

As if on cue, Dr Anne McMunn (UCL Epidemiology & Public Health) released a study that stated: Mothers do not harm their young children emotionally or socially by going out to work. This is according to analysis of families with children born in 2000. Questionnaires were filled out by parents and reflect their views of their children's development throughout their infancy and at 3 and 5 years old.

In fact, girls seem to gain from being in a household where their mother works full time or part time.

Boys whose mother was the breadwinner had more difficulties at the age of five than those living with two working parents.

Girls whose father was the breadwinner were more likely to have problems than when both parents were earning.

Dr. McMunn conceded that researchers were relying on the evidence of parents alone, but said the results of the next checks, made on children's behaviour at the age of seven, would include the views of teachers.

The study does say that no detrimental effects were seen “as long as parents are supported, do not have to work long hours and are able to combine child-rearing with paid work...” . I knew there was a catch!

So this makes me ask where you can find these jobs that mean you don't have to work long hours, and can combine child-rearing with paid work? Many Mummies I know would love one of these types of job, perhaps a 10 – 4 office job with a creche on site? Wowee that would be the proverbial golden egg that job would, oh hang on... *lightblub on moment*

Right that's it, Anna, Big Boy Bump and Ida are going to have to come here on my work days and use our garden / living room as a creche while I tip tappy away and DangerBaby and I will go to theirs on Anna's work days.

Woo hoo if you can't find a goose that lays golden eggs... make your own!