Daycare during maternity leave?

sedl1lau · February 2013

Hello I'm new to this board. I have a 15 month old right now, and LO2 is due in July, so DS1 will be 20 months. I was wondering what people suggest to do with #1 during maternity leave. I think my daycare is pretty flexible and would be willing to work things out with us if we wanted to keep DS1 home during maternity leave, but I'm wondering if my hands will be way to full? Daycare is 15 minutes away, so I'd prefer not to drive that daily, and I'd like to save on the cost of daycare since I don't get paid maternity leave. I'm just wondering if it will be too hard for the first couple of months? Maybe bring DS1 there like 2 days a week so he gets to see his friends and I can get some more things done at home?

jennlin · February 2013

maybe you can get a part time nanny to come to your house for part of the day. when are you due? maybe/hopefully it could coincide with summer break at school and you can get a younger/low-cost college or HS student, since you'd be home anyways for emergencies, but this nanny could entertain your LO.

sweetpea2003 · February 2013

If you could work out a part-time care situation I think that would be perfect. I can understand the guilt of sending your LO to daycare while on maternity leave, but I also think there is some value in getting quality one-on-one time with your newborn, as well as making it easier on yourself while recovering from birth, is ideal

. I personally was fine with my newborn and 16 month old but if I had been offered a situation where DD could have gone to daycare 1 or 2 days per week I would have totally jumped on it. Stimulation and play for her, great quality time with my son, and maybe a few extra naps would have been amazing.

jf198400 · February 2013

I pulled DD out of DC but she wasn't going to be returning anyways (my mom watched both kids when I returned to work) and DC was 30mins from my house. I really enjoyed having her home with me. It made my 2nd ML much more fun b/c we got out and did toddler activities everyday. In your situation, since your DC isn't too far away and your child will be returning after your ML, I would possibly send him PT 2days/week. I would do it more so he doesn't get too thrown off his schedule and gets to play with his friends, rather than for myself needing time with just 1 kid.

gajumper · February 2013

I am in the same boat...my Mom will keep DS#1 for the first week and then, after that I will probably take him to DC a few days a week. Honestly, he likes it and starts to go stir crazy after a few days at home with just me.

skyejo · February 2013

I really wanted to have one on one bonding time with DD2 just like I did DD1. Plus, pulling DD1 from school wasn't the best option for us. DD1 loves daycare. She learns so much and has a ton of fun with her friends. I felt like it would be a disservice to DD1 to take that away from her. She would have had a really difficult time transitioning back after four months at home too.

I did keep DD1 home full time the first two weeks. I wanted her to feel completely involved with DD2 and it worked out really well. DH was home the first week and DD2 was (and still is!) super easy so I never had a moment where I felt overwhelmed.

My daycare was really easy to work with. We switched DD1 to two days a week and they only charged us the daily rate. Next time I'm on maternity leave I plan to do the same thing.

msualum96 · February 2013

Our in home DC required half payment during my maternity leave, so I sent DS 2 days a week since I was paying for it. SO was able to drop off and pick up (I usually drop off, he picks up) during that time. I would have definitely sent him anyway, because it was important for me to have time to spend w/ DD not interrupted by a needy toddler, aaaaaand time to sleep when the baby slept (as opposed to trying to "get some more things done at home"...let me know how that works out for you! hahaha) Seriously, I'd send him half time if you can afford it & make it work. It is HARD the first couple months, and he will appreciate still being in his routine somewhat.

Mamapoo · February 2013

DS goes to his sitter a couple times a week still, not because I can't handle it or anything, but just because I feel like I need the time to just relax/bond with DD.

mbgreenwalt · February 2013

I sent DD1 to daycare one day a week to keep her familiar since she would be going back when I went back to work. I used that day to run errands since it was easier to carry one kid in and out of stores. I didn't find it overwhelming to have both and I enjoyed the 8 weeks with my girls.

sedl1lau · February 2013

Thanks for all the help! I'll probably try take him about 2 days/week if we can afford to.

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha · February 2013

We weren't sure what we wanted to do about DC either, so we played it by ear. We ended up sending DD1 anyways - though for shorter days. I feel keeping that part of her life untouched when everything was being turned upside down really helped her with the transition - And I most definitely appreciated the few hours a day of it being just baby and me. Plus we had to keep paying if we wanted to keep her spot, so that money would have gone to waste...

mamarazzi528 · February 2013

mbgreenwalt:
I sent DD1 to daycare one day a week to keep her familiar since she would be going back when I went back to work. I used that day to run errands since it was easier to carry one kid in and out of stores. I didn't find it overwhelming to have both and I enjoyed the 8 weeks with my girls.

This exactly. I wanted my DD to keep a little of her routine so it wouldn't be tough going back after 3 months of being at home. Plus, she got to play with other kids while I had a calmer day at home or ran errands much easier than if she was there.

jgoetz1 · February 2013

I am battling with this now too. I was going to keep both babies home with me, but DD loves her routines and I can just imagine what it would be like if I pulled her from daycare completely and she didn't have the same stimulation she has there. I am leaning towards sending her 2 days a week if DH and I can make it work financially.

lindsay.lou · February 2013

sedl1lau:
Thanks for all the help! I'll probably try take him about 2 days/week if we can afford to.

2x a week would be perfect I think. I regret pulling DS1 out of daycare during my mat leave. I wish I had kept him in just 1-2x a week.

solsburyhill · February 2013

DS will be 21 months with #2 is born. He currently goes to DC just two days a week. We are still going to send him those 2 days. He LOVES going. I want things to stay normal for him, I want him to have time to play with friends vs. being cooped up with me and the baby, and I will need the break I'm sure.

Our moms each take him one day a week as well and they both asked to keep taking him while I'm on leave because they love their day with him. I'm not going to turn down the help!

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