Available literature does not provide systematic data concerning the problems mothers face when leaving their children in the care of others as they pursue career or education. This study is designed to provide such data. A questionnaire including standard demographic questions and two general questions (Why did you decide to place your children in day care? Did the decision cause you any problems?) was administered to two sample groups. Two two samples consisted of 32 University student parents and working class families from the San Diego area. Analysis of the data indicated that: (1) the campus population had younger children in care, had more mothers continuing in careers, expressed more concern about the child's placement, and had less difficulty with fees; (2) mothers forced to work because of economic necessity tended to attribute the need for day care placement to the need for the child to learn "to get along with others"; (3) parents who had some options about child care and who left their children in child care were more apt to say that they needed care for the child so the mother could "take a break" or "pursue her own goals" and were more likely to question and worry about having others care for their children. (MP)