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MDO - how young is too young?
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DH mentioned today going ahead and starting the process to get future LO on the list for a MDO/daycare type thing. It's just 1 or 2 days a week from 9-2.
He wants to get the baby in early because once you're in, you're in every year and don't have to re-apply, which will save us some stress and scrambling around later on.
The catch, LO would be starting at 6 months old. I know it's only one day a week, but that just seems SO young to me!
I would be 100% on board with daycare at that age if I decide to go back to work, because every day is a set routine that a baby can get used to. I feel like only one or days a week might be more disruptive than it's worth.
What do y'all think? Experiences? I realize that since I've never SAH or been a mom that I will most likely be begging for a break by then...
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Re: MDO - how young is too young?
I'm a SAHM. Our older DD started a church MDO program at 12 months old, but our younger began one at 4 months. They both started in the summer, and they went on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9:30 to 1:30, so 8 hours a week.
I almost chickened out with DD #2 even though I knew I needed the break. The director talked me out of backing out of the program. Initially DD was the only baby in her class but over the summer they added a couple of older babies. I was glad I did it even though it was hard to leave her there in the beginning. I don't remember there being any problems at all and like you said, it was nice to be able to re-enroll her in the fall and spring with no trouble.
With Marion, I didn't think she was ready (more me being ready) until after a year. She was on the waitlist for a while though so didn't start until she was 20 months.
Eliza however, is on the list to start when she's 3 months old. They're full then, so she'll probably be closer to 6 or 9 months when she gets in, but yeah, as soon as I found out I was pregnant again, we put her on the list.
It gets easier with the second
I will say that Mar went two days during the summer and now goes three days during the fall. Three days a week is much better than just two as far as making it a part of her routine. But for a baby, I think one or two days is okay because they don't have much of a concept of time. A toddler is a different story when it comes to that.
j+k+m+e | running with needles
Joe has always been in daycare, so my opinion is based on the MDO kids I have seen in his classes. The ones who started earlier did fantastically. The ones who started after 12 months (when separation anxiety kicks in) had a rougher time adjusting. I think the baby would benefit even at 6 months old bc he/she will see other babies crawling, babbling, playing and will learn how to do those things by watching them!!!
Plus, you will definitely need some downtime and happy momma = happy baby!!
p.s. I almost emailed you about this last week....start looking for daycares/MDOs as soon as possible. The really good ones fil up FAST and the waitlists are loooong.
You know I am already on the ball for that! I'm not 100000% sure if I'll SAH or work, but I'm planning as if I'll go back to work, just in case.
I get four mos full maternity and if we have to wait until 6-9 mos for daycare, then I'll just arrange to take extended time off until we are in a program. I'm only looking at a couple right now, because it has to be convenient to home and work, which rules out quite a few that I know you like.
I grapple with this a lot. I SAH but have both my kids in school. Sometimes I feel bad but then I remember that I am a huge supporter of working moms and that I am often the 1st to tell friends that being in daycare doesn't make the kids less close to their moms and sometimes even helps them develop faster in some key ways (mostly socially. I am not real in to 'academics' under the age of 3). So, I ask myself if it's fine for kids to go to daycare, why would it not be ok for my kids to be in MDO? Mathis goes 5 days a week from 8:30-12:30. He loves it. If he is happy and I am happy, why not? Same goes for you. If you and baby are both happy, why not?
I will say a lot of programs that are strictly MDO, with no daycare aspect, often do not take children under 12 or even 18 mos, so that is something to keep your eyes out for.
Wow, not sure if I'm a bad mom or just unprepared.... I pretty much knew I wanted ds to start MDO when he turned 1, yet I didn't even look anywhere until August when MDO started in September! He's in a great program (IMO) but they didn't have a waiting list so he got right in.
Their program does take 6 months and up but when we have another one, I'm pretty sure that we will not start until 1 yr old. We had no problems with ds adjusting to going and going only 2 days a week .
I started both kids at 6 months. I have NO family here and need a break. I also need time to work. They started 2 days a week 9-2 and now they go 3 days 9-2. They love it, I need the time, and everyone is happy. I question to ask is if they are year round. Some are not. Our program is! We take 1 of the summer months off for a big long family vacation.