If you didnt have to ..... would you???

Very well said Bath!

Hi PP,
just wanted to add my 2 cents worth,
DP has his own business so all things being equal I should be a full time SAHM. So I will have a choice. I want to be a SAHM because I want to raise my son & watch him develop. Lucky for me DP agrees In saying that I do think it is important that he goes to cc because when they go to school it is expected that they are able to socialise & know about routines. Yes you child can experience this in other ways but cc is a great way as well.
ATM I wouldn't put him into cc until he is about 3/4 but if I have another one I think I would like the break & some one on one time as other people have mentioned.
I also think cc helps with immunity, yes they do bring home colds but it helps to build their immunity up. If it becomes an issue you could always pull her out & put her in at summer when it shouldn't be so bad...
I have had friends who's children only went 1 day a week & those children had trouble adjusting because they forgot they would be going but each child is individual so your DD might love it.

HTH
BTW how did she go??

I forgot to add that yes, the children that only came 1 day a week did often have trouble adjusting... but alot depends on the child's personality and the quality of the carers.

It must depend on the child because my DD only does one day a week and had no trouble adjusting at all. In fact, the child that had the most trouble adapting this year at DD's preschool (we are talking months of crying, tantrums, upsets for most of the day she was there) went two days a week. I don't think she was ready...

Just from my experience (at work) it was often boys that struggled to adjust rather than girls. Studies have shown that girls often cope better because they receive a bit of extra "nurturing" in their play with other girls... whereas the boys tend to compete more for the carer's attention. Not always the case... but generally speaking. I know that my DD coped with family day care very well at the age of 2.5yo whereas my sons would have really struggled.

Socialisation; I think it's a load of fritz. Kids get socialised all manner of ways, and they don't "need" daycare to do it. Sometimes it is great for them to have other role models for particular behaviour around them, such as drinking from a cup, sleeping on a bed, etc.

One day a week's not enough; also a load of junk. Any good childcare professional should be able to build a good, strong, trusting relationship with your child no matter how long they're in there for.

I wouldn't use it if I didn't have to, but if you do, go for gold and demand what you want and make sure you get it. The service is there to serve you, so be proactive about making this a positive experience. Also, give it time; don't wuss out too early! At least 6 weeks for a once-a-weeker to settle is completely normal.

Goooooood luck!

Yes I would. If I didn't have to, I'd probably still put her in a day or two a week. If the quality of care is there, I think daycare can do wonders for a child. Maddy absolutely loves it, I think she's gained so many positives from being around other children as she is an only child.

Firstly, how terrible that people felt they had the right to privately attack your choices! Ugh!

I work part time (2days a week) and put Ari in 3days so I could have a business day (obviously before we sold the business) now I have the extra day and we are unsure what to do with it. On one hand it is the only day I have to be child free for 5hrs as DH works shifts and weekends on the other hand I would love to have that extra day to spend at home or doing things like playgroup etc?

as for settling in, I did find Ari took about 3-4mths to settle in only being there a few days whereas my son had zero seperation (but he has autism so can't really compare)

We make sure that she knows it's daycare day, we pack her bag together the night before and I'm getting her a uniform (so to speak) from the centre so she knows when she is wearing this shirt it's daycare day.

I think it is good for them to go for a day or two and it will be less of a rude awakening when they go to kindy etc. the great thing about CC is that for the first few weeks you can put them in and stay the whole time, then start leaving them for 1-2 hrs and then until nap time and then after nap time and gradulally get them used to it IYKWIM.

Go for it! you can always stop if its not working

My 2 go for 1 day a week and have been since DD#1 was 22months and DD#2was 4months old as i went back to work and they LOVE it! It is the highllight of their weeks and even though i no longer live in the area i have kept them there... we went through the tears etc for the first month or so (they would only cry for 15-30 mins when we left and were fine the rest of the day) but persevered as we had no other cc choices at the time and we aer really happy we did, the girls run up the the staff and give them big hugs and kisses when they get there and are such social things - but they might get that from their mum.....

I had Mya in 1 day a week for for ages. Mainly because i was heavily pg & just needed a day to myself to relax. Also for socilisation reasons. Just being there 1 day a week did wonders for her & her behaviour. She had no trouble adapting. She now goes 2 days a week. To be honest i would probably have her in there 3 days if it wasnt so expencive.
Bodhi has just recently started 1 day a week. He absolutly loves it. He hasnt once cried or made a fuss about leaving him there. He makes more of a fuss when its time to go home hehe. I started him in 1 day a week for personal reasons.
I am a SAHM & had the choice as to put them in or not. I dont regret my choice at all. I think its sad that u got such nasty msg's. Its ur choice & dont let anyone make u feel bad for choosing to have ur child in cc.