Daycare - do you love or hate?

Sherriberry · May 2009

What are your feelings on daycare? Do you love that your DC goes to daycare, or do you hate that you have to leave them there?

We're starting daycare soon. I absolutely dread dropping DS off and know I'm going to feel guilty for not being with him all day. I know a lot of girls think it's great for their DC because of the stimulation/interaction etc.

What were your feelings before DC started daycare and did they change once they were in it for a while?

springtime81 · May 2009

I love it, and that's mostly because DS loves it. He has such a great time! Also, the rigid structure is very good for him, he is much happier knowing what to expect from his schedule. He is stimulated all day, they read books, sing songs, have free play, go outside now that the weather is getting warmer. But he's still happy and awake at the end of the day so we can play together, too. He is almost never in a bad mood there, only if he's teething or coming down with something.

massdreams · May 2009

I really don't feel bad about it. DS goes to an in home daycare, and I really like the woman who watches him. He smiles at her every time he gets dropped off, and he's always happy when I pick him up. DH actually had a harder time with it in the beginning, but he does more of the morning drop offs. Plus, he tends to be a bit more of a drama queen than me

JLSBWG · May 2009

I had a hard time for the first week, then it go alot easier. My DS is an easy going baby and adapted very well. He loves daycare and I know that I couldn't be a stay at home Mom. It's not me. So, we are all happy, which is what is important.

Temp159135562506975 · May 2009

it was harder when he was younger - but ever since he started to crawl - I have really loved him in daycare. He gets to do so much fun stuff there that he wouldn't be able to do if he were home with me all day long... and he just LOVES giong!

he cries on saturdays sometimes when we tell him there is no school that day!

Printergirl · May 2009

While I love the daycare we send our son to I have a hard time knowing I'm missing out on his day. He loves it there and his teachers are fabulous so that helps but I do miss him. Thankfully DH does drop and I do pick up so that makes it a little easier on me!

I was able to work 1/2 time for a month of my leave which was great for easing us all into the daycare thing. However, now I wish I could work 1/2 time all the time! It was the best of both worlds for DS and myself.

LaLaSweets · May 2009

Ilove the daycare dd goes to. They are awesome! It goes up to pre K. Her infant room does arts and crafts (she made me a paper bouquet of flowers ), they have puppet shows. Story book time and the teachers are great!! Dd also gets excited when we arrive. She has a great time. I would say to just do your reasearch and pop in to some day cares. You'll feel good about the right one ; ) good luck

azuremama · May 2009

I really like it. I was more ambivalent about it at first, but once DS started, I started to really like our daycare. But I think I like the idea of daycare in general right now. DS is very happy and affectionate. And I was painfully shy when I was a kid, but DS doesn't show any sign of that. He's still really young and that could change, of course, but he's so comfortable around people. I think it's from being around other kids and adults all day.

abpdjs · May 2009

i started Carson in a daycare center at 18 months old and i love it because he loves it! i just wish i could be a fly on the wall to watch all the fun things he does all day =-)

FloF9 · May 2009

The kids went into daycare at 21 months. The first week was tough for me - they LOVE school though. Just this past week DD is getting clingy with me so she has cried when I've dropped her off. However, I know once she is in the class they will distract her and she'll be fine.

DG1 · May 2009

I'll say "like."

I HATED the idea of it before he went. (And I was extra-lucky ot get to stay home with him for about 7 months, thanks to a timely layoff.) I cried and cried for days beforehand and made DH come with me to drop him off the first day.

But you know what? He really likes it. He gets to do so many more things than if he were at home with me. He's worn out at the end of the day and (finally, again) sleeps throught he night. And I like that he gets to interact with other babies (and, soon, other toddlers).

On the other hand, I still feel some guilt. He did get a cold his first week there, which made me sad. I don't think there's any way that a 4:1 baby:teacher ratio is sufficient to properly accommodate all of the babies' needs. One will often be crying but the teachers are feeding one and changing another's diaper and just can't get to that one for a few minutes.

So, I'm glad he goes. I'm glad to get some time to myself (he doesn't really like running errands and getting in/out of the carseat 20 times). But I still drop him off as late as possible and pick him up as early as possible.

Taylor44 · May 2009

abpdjs:
i started Carson in a daycare center at 18 months old and i love it because he loves it! i just wish i could be a fly on the wall to watch all the fun things he does all day =-)

Ditto this - my son has been in DC since 3 months old. And while I would love to be with him, I also love that he enjoys his day at "school" and that they do so many fun things. I just wish I could be watching through a window all day long. I think it is exciting that at 17 months old he already has school friends, and they enjoy playing and doing crafts together.

jlw2505 · May 2009

My mom was a working mom so I grew up going to sitters or daycare and always loved it. Most of my friends have their kids in daycare either full or part time and even my SAHM friends send their kids part time. Same with my siblings. I never had any issues and yes, I would love to be able to work part time and be home with my girls part time, its not possible. I know that my girls LOVE daycare. They get so excited when we are going in the morning or drive past school on the weekends. Yes, we have our rough days and all that but most days, the girls are very happy to go. They know their routine, they have friends, they love the teachers and I don't feel like I am missing out on things. The girls do things that I would not do with them, they are so busy at school and they are learning so much. My 1 year old, just today, walked into her room from the lobby and walked right over to her highchair and asked for food. She was ready for breakfast and let everyone know that!!!! I love my daycare for the most part - its not perfect but I don't think any daycare (center or home) is and I honestly think its the best place for my kids since my DH and I both work time.

duchess0727 · May 2009

Before I started I didn't really question it because I had no choice. Not working isn't an option and family can't watch my son (nor do I want them to). So I knew it would be daycare. At first I was nervous to leave him with new people and I worried about little things but after about a month I stopped worrying. His daycare is a fantastic place and all of the teachers there adore him. Even my MIL who admitted to me she was very unhappy about him going to daycare now raves about how wonderful it is. My son has learned so much from daycare plus he is so easygoing around other people. I honestly can't say enough good things about our daycare.

momofolivia · May 2009

abpdjs:
i started Carson in a daycare center at 18 months old and i love it because he loves it! i just wish i could be a fly on the wall to watch all the fun things he does all day =-)

ditto - except she started at 11 weeks. daycare does fun things and teaches her things. they don't just babysit her.

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