WDYT about MMO programs

cstyles

I've been going back and forth for a year now trying to decide if I will put C in a MMO 1-2 mornings a week.   I work part time and my hours should start increasing in the fall.  We currently have a sitter that comes to the house and watches him and financially we could continue to do that.  The MMO comes out to about 1/2 of what I pay my sitter an hour.  However the financial part is not really that big of a deal since we're only talking $100 savings a month (so it's something, just not HUGE). 

Here's my concerns:

C is a high energy, demanding, strong willed, emotional kid.  You can redirect him a million times and he won't forget about what he wants to do and will just keep trying until you forget.  I worry that he'll spend the entire time at MMO in time out or something else ridiculous.  He climbs everything, so all I can see is him scaling the book shelves all day long.  We have been raising him pretty AP style.  He's never CIO, never been "punished", and we try to always validate his emotions.  I worry that he'll have to rest or nap and won't be able to there.  It's not like he'll be there every day to learn to nap on a mat or something.  I also worry that he'll be punished for his natural personality (which can drive anyone up a wall).  I have worked in daycares and as a nanny while i went to college and kids like Cooper would wear me out.  He is seriously the work of 2 or 3 kids in 1.  I love all his quirks and every bit of his determined little personality, i just don't want to do anything to damage it.

Here's why I think it'd be good:

C LOVES LOVES LOVES to be in a group setting.  I get him out several times a week and he is extremely social and just thrives in a group setting.  He needs to be very active to burn off energy and staying home just isn't cutting it.  I don't feel comfortable letting our sitter drive with him (I hate moving the car seat several times a week and I don't trust our sitter, she has a tendencey to over react and I worry about that when they're out and about...when we have let her take him out she always makes extra stops without telling us first, and one time took him 45 minutes away from home and didn't tell me until afterwards).  Also there is the financial savings and not worrying about my sitter canceling or getting sick.  The MMO program I found was reccomended by the mom who I was a nanny for during college (her kids are now 6 & 8) and my best friend from high school is a teacher there. 

I do think C would like it, but for some reason I feel like I'm throwing him to the wolfs.  Help me finish thinking through this, so I can make a decision.

Also I'm going to take a tour of the school this week, what should I look for and ask? 

TIA!!!!

LouiseB2001

I would not have to think twice about it since it also seems you are not super happy with the sitter: send him to the MMO (not sure what it stands for but it is obviously a type of part time daycare). I think you don't need to worry so much about his high energy, I know that kids behave very differently with their parents than without. You do seem to have more experience than me though with nannying, I am mainly going from what I have seen with DD and my brothers etc. But also remember that it is their responsibility to take care of him, so you shouldn't worry that he is 'a lot of work' (and I am sure that he is a lot of fun work). I am convinced that children need to be with other kids on a regular basis and this sounds like a great opportunity. He will love playing with the others and as you say you don't have to worry about the nanny being sick (but then you have to worry about him being sick). I think taking a tour will get you further with your decision when you see the place.

cstyles

Thanks for your input!  I'm not super happy with our sitter, she's been with us since he was 3 months old and I think has had trouble adjusting to that she actually has to work now that he is older and not just hold him while he sleeps. 

MMO= Mother's morning out program.  They are usally run through churches and are significantly cheaper than daycares.  Typically they are only offered 1-2 mornings a week.  Since my work schedule (outside the home atleast) is so minimal, the short days work for us.

WiggleBaby

agreed that it sounds like you should give it a shot!  definitely ask about how discipline works there, since you have concerns about what they'll do if C is running all over stuff.  do they use time outs, etc?  let them know he is high energy and might need some extra attention, and see what they say.  maybe you could even stay with him for the first day, just to see how it runs?

 fwiw - my DD was a lot like how your DS sounds. but she had calmed down considerably by around age 2.  thank goodness!