Have i done the right thing

[visitor1]

I have recently gone back to work. 2 days a week (Mon and Fri) and while im there i drop Chelsea off at a friends house. She also has a DD who is nearly 2 yrs old. Chels loves her, they always giggle and smile together....i love it...

BUT i was talking to my sister the other day and she said i should have her in long day care instead of having my friend watch her. To save me money cos the g'ment would give me money or something (i pay her money to watch DD), get her to be with others kids etc.

I choose my friend cos i trust her, i know who she is, i know where she is at all times, less risk of DD catching a bug etc.

But now i think.... should DD be in day care... or is me leaving her with my friend the best choice???

[Danni]

Thats a personal choice Kim.

I cant really comment truly as Junior isnt here yet....but I think I would prefer leaving him with a friend.

You dont know what happens behind the scenes in a child care centre and there are lots of other kids there that need to share the attention of the carers. Not to mention all the germs and illnesses they all have.

[Snacks]

Gee Kim, I reckon it's entirely up to you. If you feel comfortable leaving Chelsea with your friend and that arrangement works for you both - do it! I'm not sure about the saving money thing because I haven't looked into it, but when I go back to work a couple of days a week I'll be getting family to look after Natalie. It's your baby, Kim, and your choice...

[kmh]

I think what is best for Chelsea and yourself is the best, if you feel more comfortable leaving her with a friend that would be your best decision.
Yes you do get help by the gov with Childcare fee's but this depends on how much you earn. Example- I have Madison in one day a week and i pay $16.30 for the whole day and my friend has her DD in the same centre on the same day and she pays just over $44 for the day.
If I was you I would leave her with your friend

[Danni]

The most child care benefit that centrelink will provide for anyone is $2.98 per hour and thats if you earn the minimum threshold.

[Lilly-Pilly]

Kimbaz, chelsea is only young, i think its much better for her to be with your friend if thats an option. There is plenty of time for day care and kinder when she is older. Be greatful you have a great friend that can look after her for you, plenty of people don't have that choice. I think its the best place for chelsea atm!

[*Rae*]

I second what Dee just said. When Chelsea gets older she'd really benefit from daycare but for now, while she's young, i think you are right in leaving her with a trusted friend where she is receiving more one on one attention.

[Fi]

If you feel you are doing the right thing by leaving herwith your friend, then its probably yhe right thing to do.
Follow your gut instinct.

[kitten2b]

If I had the option of leaving Maria with a friend instead of childcare I would take the friend, especiallly at such a young age.

[~Jo~]

Ive also chosen the friend above daycare for Sammy for one day a week. Trust yourself in what you think is best.

Jo

[Pandora]

I would leave Milo with a trusted friend or family if I had that option.
As it is he is with my mum 2 days a week, and at creche for 3.

[ShootingStar]

Kim.. the best choice is what makes you feel most comfortable. Chelsea is only 3 months old (nearly) and going to day care isnt really going to be any different on her.. its not like she can get up and run around and play with other kids atm. MIL is hounding me to take Jesse to day care or something and i dont feel the need at the moment. Im happy with the way things are. But like i said, do what makes you most comfortable.. its funny when you have a baby, everyone has to have their opinion.

[Tobily]

Kimbaz, chelsea is only young, i think its much better for her to be with your friend if thats an option. There is plenty of time for day care and kinder when she is older. Be greatful you have a great friend that can look after her for you, plenty of people don't have that choice. I think its the best place for chelsea atm!

ITA.
I feel fine leaving my 2 year old in a centre if it came to that (she is in family daycare at the moment which is my first preference for care) but I am not comfortable leaving my 5 month old in one.
I think the little bubs tend to get put in a corner and forgotten about a bit. I would much rather leave him with a trusted friend at that age. Plenty of time for daycare and socialisation when she's a bit older.

[mummy2Kaitlyn]

I think it is a personal choice ...However I would prefer to leave Kaitlyn with a friend if I could.

[Karina]

I havent had my bub yet, but if I had the option of leaving her with friends/relatives, then I think I would do that rather than a childcare place... having said that it woudlnt be just any friend or relative, and youve obviously got a good friend you trust. She is only 3 months old. I think she would benefit from childcare when she is a bit older.

[pebbles2820]

when I went back to work after no.1 she went to long day care, this only lasted 3mths because she was sick constantly with everybug going around and so I had to continuously take time off work. Finally a friend with a baby the same age offered to look after her, this arrangement was a god send as I trusted this friend implicitly and new she would be safe. The arrangement lasted for about 18mths, when I went on maternity leave again, Samantha and Ben bonded and Brooke and I have been close ever since even though I have moved 700klms away.

[*mitch*]

I went back to work full time when alexa was 6 months old... My friend, who has no children looks after her for me & it is cheaper than child care & I know that she is in a loving enviroment, my friend loves Alexa as if she was her own...

It is personal choice.....

[Missy]

Do what your happy with. If DD is happy then leave it.