Oh honey, I'm a SAHM who honestly thinks the BEST parenting decision I have EVER made was to put DD1 in daycare for two days a week! Seriously, it has worked WONDERFULLY for us, and I did it for the same reasons as you're considering - I just needed a bit of 'me' time (which I rarely use on 'myself' lol, I do the grocery shopping and run errands etc without having to drag along an adventurous toddler, if I manage to fit in some clothes shopping while DD2 naps in the pram it's a GREAT day), and DD1, to be honest, really needed more time out of the house and with other kids her age. I don't have a lot of friends with littlies, and those that do are working mums or just have completely different schedules so we just never managed to get together.

I totally understand the 'guilt' feeling you describe - but seriously, throw that one right out the window! I used to think SAHMs who put their kids in daycare were the biggest, laziest good-for-nothings on the face of the earth, but I officially ate my words when DD1 got to 12-18months and my world was turned upside down She needed the interaction and socialisation and stimulation that daycare gives her just as much as I needed some time to just rest, or get things done without wrangling her at the same time

Don't feel bad about it at all hun, being a 24/7 mum is soooo hard, we deserve a good break! If you can find a centre that 'feels' good, that your DD likes, get her a spot and give yourself a break as well as giving her the benefits of making new friends, learning new things and having a whole day dedicated to play!

All the best hun, it's a hard decision but it definitely worked for me and my DD - we love 'bubba school' heaps Please don't feel bad about considering it, for most families I know part-time daycare is a great tool to help mums and their kids get well-earned breaks from each other!