The second myth is that single parent families are, by definition, deficient. In fact, research shows single parent families to be as diverse as two parent households. In other words, their behavior and academic performance runs the same spectrum as their peers who live in families with two parents. Basically, some families are resilient and operate smoothly, while others do not. Two parents under one roof is no assurance that harmony and love will prevail in the home, anymore than having a mother at home during the day insures well-adjusted, happy children.
Stress affects everyone.
It is how we handle stress that makes the difference for our children. It is the quality of our family relationships and our family processes that best insure that our children will grow into healthy well-adjusted adults, despite the adversities life may throw their way. In the past decade, several studies researched the effects of a mother's employment on her children. Conclusions clearly identified quality of daycare and quality of the parent-child relationship as the two most significant influences, rather than whether or not the mother was employed. In order to feel secure, children need to feel an attachment to the adults who care for them.