DD is in school two days a week (1/2 day) so she'll obviously continue that but I won't be having her babysitter take her the rest of the time. I agree with the PP who said they're really looking forward to the time home. For me, I know I will need time with the baby too but I would rather have DD be a part of the process than out of the house. That being said, my mom currently watches her two days a week so she'll likely continue to at least spend time with her individually or we'll spend time at her house to break up the routine. DD will also go to camp a couple of days a week in the summer. I think for me continuing daycare would depend a lot on what it was costing me. If I could save a couple of thousand dollars over 2-3 months to have DD home I would.
I will be keeping my four-year-old home with me I'm super excited to get the extra time with him! I did the same when I had a two-year-old and a newborn. I can't justify spending money to have someone take him when I could be getting time with him. I also think it's great for he and the baby to have some bonding time. I can maybe understand 1-2 days a week to keep them aquainted with daycare, but I wouldn't do more than that personally.
SAHM here so I can't offer any advice on daycare, but I really enjoyed having a two year old and a newborn as well. It's a very special time in those early weeks for the entire family, not just mama and baby.
Normally DS goes to daycare 3 days a week and is with my mom the other two. After the baby comes, I'm still going to send him to daycare but I haven't decided if we'll do 3 days or 2. DS is incredibly social, and one of those children that constantly needs to be entertained. He wakes up wanting to know where we're going, what we're doing, and who were going to see and he hardly ever entertains himself. I love him, but he's exhausting. Also, I know how taxing those first few weeks are. Soooo, it will be nice and necessary for my sanity to have a few days to "relax" with the new baby. Once summer break starts they'll probably both be home with me every day, but baby will be a little older by then!
Thank you for starting this post, I was feeling a little guilty about sending DS to daycare when I'm off, but reading how so many more are doing the same thing makes me feel much better! I'm not the only one!!
Re: STM's with kids currently in daycare - What are you doing while on maternity leave?
Thank you for starting this post, I was feeling a little guilty about sending DS to daycare when I'm off, but reading how so many more are doing the same thing makes me feel much better! I'm not the only one!!