Yes, childcare is work, very rewarding work, imo, if you do a good job, but work just the same. Perhaps among the most important jobs.
Spaniel, I hope you encourage dil in her choice and let her know you respect it.
But Bopeep, I think we need to respect the opposite choice, too, Life is so expensive these days. And if a mum was building a career, she could lose everything she worked hard for if she doesn't go back to it as soon as possible. Things are different than when we had our kids.
Oldgimmer1, I agree, if more men gave up their jobs to do childcare, society would handle this very differently, lol