I’VE read Heather Causnett’s response of April 29 to my earlier letter regarding her constant castigation of women, and mums in particular.

Heather did, actually, have the luxury of choosing to stay at home with her children, while also caring for children of her neighbours. Were those neighbours any less caring because they went out to work leaving their children with her?

It was a different way of life back then. Jobs were easier to get. Women weren’t expected to work, although many had to. Most employers thought of a woman’s wage as “pin money” and career women were regarded as oddities.

Nowadays it’s not a case of extra cash or looking after the children. It’s a case of essential cash to feed, clothe, house and care for the children.

Mrs Causnett says she made the right choice for her. Yes, for her. Everyone tries to make the right choice for them at any given time.

Parents do the best they can and whether or not everyone agrees with them, it is their choice to make and they don’t deserve this constant criticism. No one is perfect and those who never made a mistake never made anything worthwhile.

There is a saying, which I am going to totally cannibalise. Let she who is without error cast the first aspersion on those she doesn’t agree with.

Janet S Kitchen-Cooper, Ashley Park Road. York.