I put Cooper in 2 days a week when I was working now I am not but I wouldnt change it, it has helped us both so much, him to gain some independence and time with children his own age as well as learning to adapt to change ect, and me some time to do what I need to do stress free. I cant believe some people were rude you though in the end it is your decision and comes down to what suits you and your family.
Opps.... ETA didn't answer your original question: I would. I need some time emotionally and mentally for myself that I don't get when I work weekends. Now that Jovie is older I feel comfortable with what we are doing.
Jovie is in Family Day Care and that was all I was comfortable with. She's going 2 days a week and atm I'm working those days, but most of the time I work 1 day a week rather than 2, so I have 1 day without Jovie and Matilda. Matilda is 4 and goes to Montessori 3 days a week. She goes 1 day because of me working, 1 day for me to catch up and get things like grocerys done with Jovie (for other reasons....) and 1 day for me to have a day off both girls. Like I said the last 4 weeks and the next 4 weeks I'll be working all of those days.
BUT I needed it when I was pregnant with Jovie, to have at least 1 day off the strain, physically and mentally.
My kids have had 2 - 3 days daycare since they were 11 months old - when I was preg with DD (#2)- I kept DS in 2 days a week the whole time I was on mat leave and I think it helped keep a bit of normality for him too.
This time DS is at school, but I will keep DD in 3 days a week until the dust has settled after #3 arrives and then drop her back to 2 days. I need to keep a spot for her for next year when I need it for July and going back to work part-time if plans fall into place. Also, I figure I had 1 on 1 time with #1 and #2 and want the same with #3. And like you, we can afford it luckily with paid mat leave and baby bonus etc.
1 day is a harder transition I think - but depends on your child too.
I remember when I first went looking at centres and all kids seemed to have runny noses etc - but it hasn't been too bad at all (except for conjunctivitis - I HATE conjunctivitis) ....
PP - I remember your original post about this, and seriously, I cannot believe that you got hate messages for it. People should learn to keep their opinions to themselves if they are not walking in your shoes. JMO of course.
I have DS in daycare two days a week, and not currently working (obviously) I love the days he is in there. Like today, I got to vac and wash the floors - it had been ages since they had been done, and I so love the fact that I can bond with Mehkelti, like I did with him when he was a newborn ya know???
I wouldn't have him in daycare less than two days a week, just because its a long week between visits IYKWIM?
But tis up to you hon, and if you get hate messages from this - send the biatches my way and I will deal with them!!!!
PP- My DS goes to CC one day a week ATM (He only started a couple of months ago). I was also told he would have trouble settling. He does cry when I drop him off but stops straight away when I leave (I've checked ). He has settled well and is happy when I pick him up.
I work full-time but am lucky enough for my mum to care for him on other days. I decided to send him for social reasons and keep him busy (also to take pressure off my mum). I am happy with my decision and will probably increase to two days next year.
GL with your decision
Hun, I think that using child care one day a week is a great idea. I do believe that it is good for most children (not all), as they get a different type of socialisation and different activities. I also think it's good for children to have a mum who isn't totally exhausted and has nothing to give. Having been pg with a toddler, and also having a nb and a toddler, all I can say to is that you will benefit from the break and you will be a better mummy to both your beautiful children for doing this.
Jack had been in day care while I was working, and I changed him down to 1 day a week at a different centre when I went on maternity leave for Tom (which turned out to be when Tom was born as he arrived 4 weeks early). Jack did take longer to settle into the new centre as it was only day a week. I think that 2 days would have helped him settle in more quickly. But he did settle in, and he wasn't too upset. If you can afford it, and bring yourself to do it, maybe you could start her at 2 days a week just for 3 or 4 weeks and then drop her back. But even if you just go with 1 day, she will settle in. In between kindy days, you can be talking to her about what she does at kindy, and doing some of the same activities (even role-playing role call, morning tea time etc - Jack loves doing this). That would help her settle in more quickly too.
I HTH hun. Please don't feel guilty. This is a good idea, and your DD will be just fine.
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). He has settled well and is happy when I pick him up.
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