Working mothers long to stay home

From the Echo, first published Wednesday 15th Oct 2003.

WORKING mothers would happily down their business suits and become full-time mums if their bank balances allowed.

But mums across the region still dependent on earning a wage are the least likely in the country to fret about leaving their young children in childcare.

A new survey carried out by Mother and baby Magazine has painted a picture of the 21st century mum longing for a return to the kitchen sink, turning on its head decades of emancipation.

The survey claims that 70 per cent of mums in the South West would love to stay at home full time, compared to 66 per cent of mothers nationally.

An overwhelming 90 per cent of local mums think women today are expected to perform and juggle too many roles at once, compared to a national average of 86 per cent.

Working mums across the region whose child is at a full-time nursery are the most likely to think their childcare provider is good value for money and that staff there are caring, according to the survey.

They are also the most likely in the country to think their child is safe at their nursery, and believe their child is happy. They also think the food there is healthy and nutritious.

Local mums are also the most relaxed in the country because they say they are less likely than mothers nationally to feel anxious about their child while at work.

Roni Jones, centre manager at Relate in Bournemouth, said: "Wouldn't we all rather stay at home? I know I would.

"People are constantly moving into the region for jobs and the population is growing at about 11 per cent each year. Mums are left therefore without their family support networks and this would cause mothers to want to stay at home with their children.

"But we do live in an expensive area and families need two incomes to survive."

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