Sir, - Regarding Victoria White's article "Message working mothers don't want to hear" (April 17th), the time is well overdue to ask the question: "What do children need?"
There is ample research to show us that small children suffer from "separation anxiety". Despite their cries of protest, we have connived in this society to make it acceptable to leave babies and young children in a setting that is not their home for long periods during the day.
The workplace has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Surely we can become more creative about managing our childcare commitments. Research from psychologists, child therapists, teachers and other professionals acknowledges the bond created between the parent and child as the essential foundation in determining all other relationships in life. Why are we ignoring this evidence? Have we forgotten what it feels like to be a young child?
The provision of childcare services in this State are very uneven. High staff turnovers result in babies and children readjusting to new faces and to rebuilding new relationships. Infants and toddlers are not ready for an environment which cannot sustain their need for developing relationships with known, loved and loving adults. They require secure, comforting environments with consistent care not only for their physical well-being, but for their psychological needs - undivided attention and affection, time to attend to their development, and the sense of joy that a child feels when interacting with someone who really loves them for themselves. Babies and toddlers learn through repeated patterns of activity and require stability while doing so.
The swing of the pendulum has given us "women's rights", but has not advanced "children's rights". We need to transform our working lives, but this will not happen unless we transform ourselves and our values. The strongest incentive we have is the well-being and happiness of our nation's children. - Yours, etc.,
Helen Sholdice, Rosemount Terrace, Booterstown, Co Dublin.