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when did you put Lo in daycare?

Gen & JoelGen & Joel
in Two Under 2

LO will be 20 months when Lo #2 arrives and my MIL won't watch both so we are thinking of putting LO in daycare for 2 days a week.

My concern/question is should i put him in before Lo#2 arrives so he will be used to it and not so much will be changing for him all at once. Or put him in when i go back to work from maternity leave. I know we will save money if we do it afterwards because it will save at least 4 months of daycare fees since i will still pay when i'm home on maternity leave and won't be getting much from STD. But i feel like so much is going to be changing for him all at once. Please give your advice TIA

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Re: when did you put Lo in daycare?

  • meredith anastasiameredith anastasia
    Depends on how tight $$ is, but if I could swing it I would.  We put DS in daycare at 12.5 months, and we have to pay to keep his spot so I'll have the option of sending him as much or as little as I want when I'm on leave.  I'm looking forward to the ability to send him if I need some downtime with the baby, or keep him home and do something fun if I'm up to juggling both kids on my own.  It's a pretty big expense, but I'm happy to have the option of daycare, and it's an environment where he's happy and well taken care of.
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  • beebe929beebe929 member

    It was nice to have DD#1 in day care a couple days a week while home with the baby.  It was short days for her, but good bonding with baby and me.

    If you can afford it, it would be nice.

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  • trinnytrinny member

    Honestly, 2 days a week is really hard on some kids, especially for a kid who hasn't been to daycare before.  My DD's BFF is only in 2 days a week after her little bro was born, and dropoff is really ROUGH for her now, and this is a center she has been in since she was 4 months old. 

    I would put him in full time after you go back to work, but definitely get MIL to help you on your maternity leave so you can get some rest.

    GL!

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  • saturdaynightdoubletreesaturdaynightdoubletree member

    Trust your gut.

    We moved when DD was 10m, started daycare at 12m, and then DS was born when DD was 13.5m --- there was a lot of hard transitions, but for us putting her in daycare first taught her a lot of important things (IMO). She learned sharing, not being the only kid with needs, etc. etc. When DS arrived she was confused because I couldn't pick her up right away, but loved every second of him being around. Selfishly, it was nice to have her in DC a few days a week so I could really bond with the baby and get things done around the house.

    Do what you think works best for you. No matter what transitioning to DC is tough and having a new sibling in the house is tough... Good luck, and remember to enjoy every day!

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  • jennaw21jennaw21

    We put DS in at 17 months - he was definitely ready for some outside interaction and was getting to be more than my mom could handle.  It was a rough couple of drop-offs, but we decided to do full-time because he would be able to adjust quicker than alternating days. 

    I'd definitely start before maternity leave!  That way you have some time to actually enjoy your new LO and when your son gets home you'll be ready to focus on him.

    And, yes, better for him not to associate being left at daycare with a new baby.

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