Anyone not put their DC into daycare until around age 2?

sooosie

We might have to do this because I'm not sure that the MIL can handle 2 little ones.  I'm not that nervous about my mom or DH's cousin (they both had 2 kids) but MIL only had DH and the timing would be such that we'd either have to send him or not send him.  She's made mention of possibly finding him classes to attend, etc too...like she's worried.

Just wondered if anyone has waited til around age 2 to send to daycare, and how it went.  I'm really not looking forward to having to do this.

JOEBunny

Could you put him in a Mother's morning out a few days a week to help your MIL out?  I don't think only having one child would prohibit someone from watching more than one, but it can be a bit much to have a baby and a toddler.  I am home with DD and soon to be new baby.  I did not want to put her in a program, since I stay home so I can spend as much time with her as possible, but with the new baby, I am going to put her in a MMO two days a week, then we will have playgroup 1 or 2 days a week, so that DD will have plenty to do and not rely on me so much for stimulation, since when she is home, she is more content to play on her own. 

DD started at 2.5.  She goes from 9:30 to 1:30, then comes home and takes her nap.  She just goes one day, but she could go 5 days if I wanted.  It makes it physically much easier for me, especially now that I can no longer bend over.

LanaM

Ethan started daycare at almost 21 months. It was smooth and he did not have any problems at all other than minor crying at (!) pickups.

We switched daycares at 25 months because the old one was at DH's old job. He quit and we had to pull Ethan out. Again, hardly any issues other than getting used to adjustment period.

WBs_Bride

We did the same thing as this for all the reasons you mentioned, except it's my mom, not MIL. My mom watched DD#! and I worked full-time. When I had DD#2, I went down to working part-time so DD#1 didn't have to go to daycare every day, just 3 days/week. She only goes from 8:30-1:00, then my mom has her and the baby in the afternoons I work (baby all day).

I'm sure my mom would have done it if I asked her, but honestly I didn't want to inflict a 2-year-old and an infant on my mom all day, every day. She was relieved when I told her our plan. She said she already "did that" with my brother and me and it was hard and she's not 25 anymore! She of course didn't want DD#1 to go to DC, and she still is sort of upset about it, but realizes it's better this way. Plus, overall I think it is better for DD#1 to get out and be with other kids for a little while during the week. It was hard at first, I will not lie. It took about 6-8 weeks for DD to completely adjust, but she grew to really like it (DD is really sensitive, though, too and hard with new adjustments--your child may be different). She is just transitioning to the Preschool room and loves it. Good luck! I know it's a really hard decision to break everyone's routine.

NWIbride

I put my daughter into daycare at 22 months old because I decided to return to work after staying home 2 years. She loved it. There was a 2 month adjustment period (crying when I left) but the teacher said she stopped within 5 minutes of me leaving. She adjusted very well to their schedule of meals and naps and it is now our schedule around the house on weekends!

WBs_Bride

Forgot to mention--DD#1 was 2 years, 4 months when she started. SHe was home with me and the baby for 2.5 months prior to starting.