Toddler starting childcare..

[chellebubs]

Hi

Just a question for the mums out there who send their child/ren to daycare. Im thinking of sending my son one day a week, he is 21months and I definately think he is ready. We have gone to have a look at a few centres already and he always runs straight to the toys and seems quite happy.

I guess Im just feeling 'Mother guilt' because Im a stay at home mum, so constantly ask myself, 'Why do you want to send him when you're at home'?

I am due with #2 in Feb and am going to use the day my toddler goes to daycare as either a day to go to hospy visits, appt's, clean, get odd jobs done that are normally quite difficult with an active toddler

Just curious really as to how you and your child coped when they first went to daycare? Did you get over the mother guilt? Do you think its worth sending him for just one day?

TIA for your responses

[iheartshoes]

Hi there! You sound exactly like me when I first sent me DD1 to daycare. I started her when she was probably about 18mths (can't quite remember, maybe younger). She started with one day per week, she ued to cry a bit when I dropped her off but would always get over within 1/2 hour. I had to pic her up 'early' for the first little while because she would see all the other kids getting picked up and get upset, but she got over that pretty quickly. Whe she started loving it we asked the carers if she would handle two days and they said definitely and now they say she has benefited from the extra day sooo much. She has become more confident and outgoing and I love that she has little friends. She is so excited to go to 'school' now and tells me all the kids she will play with and then when I pick her up she says bye to all her little friends and tells me what they all did.

As for the mother's guilt.......I had it horribly! Like you, I thought 'why am I sending her to daycare, I'm a SAHM?!?!?' I thought I was lazy, bad mother, anything negative and I thought it. But then I saw how happy she was there, and how social she had become and I couldn't help but forget about he guilt and know that I made the right decision for HER. And if it gives me some extra time to clean, spend time with DD2 or even just take time out with hubby (or myself!) then that's great too!

After my experience with DD1 I have no issues sending DD2 when she is about 18mths too, I know she will love it!

As much as we teach our girls their letters, numbers, colours etc. I have found that DD1 has learnt a lot more since going and also speaks a lot more/better.

I hope you can squash the guilt because I really do think it's great for them socially! JMHO.

[JanelleC]

Alison was about that age when she first started day care. PJ was only a few months old. Honestly it was the best thing I done! I had that 1 day to spend time with PJ, I took him out for walks etc. I got things done around the house. It was the best thing and Alison got time to play without having tired cranky mummy.

[chellebubs]

Hi ladies,

Thanks so much for your replies You've made me feel a lot better about it all thats for sure! Its crazy how much the mother guilt kicks in, I keep having to reassure myself with the positives that he'll get from going to daycare. Even just one day a week.

Im actually getting excited about it now & Im absolutely sure he will love it. There will most likely be a few tears but the interaction, socialisation & fun he'll get is worth it!

Thanks again

[Dusk]

Hi, I am inn the exact same boat! I have a 17 month old and Due with #2 at the end of Jan. We have started her at Daycare one day a week and while we have had some up and down days, she has really started to enjoy it!

I also would get guilty and pick her up really early but yesterday she actually threw herself on the ground kicking when I told her we were leaving and going to the car. I think she can stay a bit longer from now on!

I mainly rest, do the groceries and have just started christmas shopping on the day she is off at daycare, so it is really nice.

The mother's guilt is there, but just think of us other mum's who are doing it too!

[JanelleC]

Hi ladies,

Thanks so much for your replies You've made me feel a lot better about it all thats for sure! Its crazy how much the mother guilt kicks in, I keep having to reassure myself with the positives that he'll get from going to daycare. Even just one day a week.

Im actually getting excited about it now & Im absolutely sure he will love it. There will most likely be a few tears but the interaction, socialisation & fun he'll get is worth it!

Thanks again

Yeah there may be a few tears. It took Alison a little to get used to it. But she's always been a social little butterfly and makes friends so easily. Now she loves going. It took PJ a little longer to warm up, but now that he's got his own friends he loves it! He's always telling me about all his little friends at day care. Most of the time it's a case of they'll cry for a little when you drop them off, but literally 5 minutes after your gone it's mummy who.

[Beckyb79]

I recommend it. My DDs have learnt so much there, from other kids and the teachers. DD1 is even learning Italian from one of the teachers. It is great from a social aspect as well and it will be good for once the baby comes as it will allow you to have the one on one time with the baby.

Mine both started younger than your DS. DD1 cried for the first few wks when I would drop her off (was fine after I left) but DD2 did not even seem to care. DD2's lack of reaction got to me more for some reason.

Keep yourself busy on his first day - best distraction.