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Orange County Babies
If your child is in daycare...
DD will be starting daycare in the next few weeks. I feel so guilty about not being able to take care of her myself because I work full time. I worry that DD will be deprived, in some way. And it feels like I'm the only mama in the world (or at least in OC) who has to work. Yes, I know its absurd to think this. But all of my friends who have kids stay at home and can't relate at all.
So if there's anyone out there that sends their kids to daycare...
1. How old was DC when he/she started daycare?
2. Did they cry a lot when they started, and how long did it last?
3. Did it mess up their feeding or sleeping/night schedules at home?
4. Are they in daycare because you work?
5. Overall, do you think daycare was a good or bad choice?
TIA
This discussion has been closed.
Re: If your child is in daycare...
Awwww. Try not to beat yourself up about it. I know it's hard and yes, there are bad things about daycare but there are also a lot of really great things about it too! If I had the chance to stay home would I? In a heartbeat but unfortunately it's just our reality. Having a house in OC means me working too. Booooo.
1. She's been in daycare since I had to go back to work when she was about 3 months.
2. She was so young when she started there really was no crying.
3. Didn't mess with her schedule except that some days she was pretty wiped because she was so busy playing with other kids, etc. Good for an easy bedtime because she'd had a full day of fun activity!
4. Yes, in daycare/preschool now because of work.
5. I'm going to go with good choice seeing that it is our only choice!
Hang in there... hugs!
My twins started daycare when they were 1 years old. They loved it! They started preschool when they were 18 mos.
I noticed my kids are much more advanced intellectually and socially than those of my friends kids who stayed at home.
They didn't cry and the daycare was on the same schedule as our family.
I work. had a full time nanny for the first year.
If it's a good daycare then it will be good for socialization and exposure to different things. They will be better off once they get to 1st grade.
I completely feel your pain. If I could stay at home, I would in a heartbeat. The thought of another woman taking care of our daughter is horrifying me! She will be starting an in-home daycare in a few weeks. I am so afraid that our DD will have this bond with this woman, knowing she'll be spending 8 hours with her. By the time we get home, we'll only have a few hours with her..I am already dreading this...A LOT!!!
1. How old was DC when he/she started daycare? She will be 3 months.
2. Did they cry a lot when they started, and how long did it last? I hope not.
3. Did it mess up their feeding or sleeping/night schedules at home? We shall see.
4. Are they in daycare because you work? Yes. Living in OC, we need both our incomes.
5. Overall, do you think daycare was a good or bad choice? I am hoping it will be a good choice, but will take some time to get used to I'm sure. IMO, staying home with your child at least for the first year would be ideal. But, for most that isn't possible.
1. How old was DC when he/she started daycare?
DD was 18 months, DS will be 5 months (and I'm already having a hard time with him going).
2. Did they cry a lot when they started, and how long did it last?
She didn't cry while she was there, only as/just after I left her. I got a few good tips from a friend on how to leave with peace of mind for me and DD, so that helped. It was worse at first (though not too bad), but gradually she's gotten more used to the whole process.
3. Did it mess up their feeding or sleeping/night schedules at home?
No -- and actually she does better with naps while in daycare right now.
4. Are they in daycare because you work?
Right now only DD is in 2 days/wk while I'm on maternity leave. But eventually when I go back after my maternity leave, yes, it will be for work and just 3 days/wk.
5. Overall, do you think daycare was a good or bad choice?
I think it's been beneficial for DD in some ways. I think the social aspect has been good for her. I think that her being able to 'socialize' with kids of a variety of ages has been good. She's gotten used to being around babies before we had #2. She's seen the older kids go through potty training and that helped her potty train, too. They also do preschool 2 days/wk with the 2-3 y/o there, so she gets some structured learning in as well. And now that I have 2, it allows me some down time to bond with DS. One of my colleagues (who works f/t) told me once that she felt that with her son in daycare, she's really able to come home from work and solely focus on him without any distractions. She felt that it made her be a better mother in a way...like she appreciated her time with him more. I'll admit that I struggle with it at times. I guess what helps me is to know that what matters most is not necessarily the amount of time I spend with my LO's but the quality of the time we get to spend together.
1. How old was DC when he/she started daycare? 2 yrs 2 mos old
2. Did they cry a lot when they started, and how long did it last? yes he cried but the teachers assured me that he wouldn't cry for long. (he still cries for me when i drop him off at his granma's who he begs to go and see. my mom says as soon as the door is closed he smiles and wants to play)
3. Did it mess up their feeding or sleeping/night schedules at home? not really
4. Are they in daycare because you work? yes, also because my mother in law was taking care of him and his cousin (that's 2 mos older than him) and it was beginning to be too much for her. we can afford daycare and DH's sister can't/couldn't at the time.
5. Overall, do you think daycare was a good or bad choice? good choice. its definitely made him more well-rounded. he speaks better than his 5 & 4 yr old cousins and has waaay better social skills. its more than a daycare, its a school so he's definitely flourishing. i kinda miss my "baby" though.
hang in there. i know its a hard decision/choice. i'm so grateful to GOD that my son attends the nursery part of the school i teach high school at (we take em from 6weeks to 12th grade). so i'm literally just on the other side of the campus. great for when he's acting up ;o)