thread: childcare for older child when on maternity leave

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    In my own private paradise
    15,272

    hun, it's prolly in Milo's best interests to keep up with Day Care while you're on mat leave. yes, you'll be home BUT you're going to have a new baby, you'llbe exhausted, he's going to need the stimulus, you'll need time with Lala...

    a lot of people choose to have a day or two older child free while on mat leave

    it also keeps your foot in the door at your chosen child care centre ready for when you DO go back to work

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Melbourne
    6,745

    I'm keeping Genevieve in daycare as at the moment she is so high maintenance that I need to get some rest on the days that she is in childcare. I am not sleeping well and I just don't have the energy to keep up with her if I don't get to have a rest a couple of times a week. I don't imagine that it will get any easier once the baby arrives either.

    I want to keep her in her routine as she will have to go back there when I go back to work anyway and also it is so hard to get a place that I certainly can't afford to lose it for when I return to work! Plus she has so many friends there and really does enjoy going that I think it is good that she maintains those relationships.

  3. #3
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    I left DS1 in day care 1 day a week while I was on maternity leave with DS2. One reason was to keep the spot. Another was to give myself a day with just one child so I could do things that needed going - one on one with the baby, errands, housework, rest etc (not all on the same day mind you!). I am so glad I did it - not only did DS2 and I love having a day of one-on-one time, DS1 loved having his own space for a day. He has always loved day care and used to look forward to his day out. I think it also did him a lot of good to get attention and time to do things himself without always having his brother to consider.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    On the other side of this screen!!!
    11,129

    Much harder to get a place again if you take them out altogether. Much better to keep them in for 1 or 2 sessions a week. Plus it provides a valuable window for napping in those early weeks!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Sunny Qld
    14,682

    Yup I agree with everyone else.

    Those 2 days a week were my sanity savers.....lol....

    It was lovely taking nice long baths when very overdue, without some screaming the house down... and it was nice napping during the day....

    Then when DD came along... was nice to have a day with just me and her.... to be just us girls getting to know each other.

    Now he is only in care for the one day I go to work ... and I think I'm slowly going insane....

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
    9,362

    Can't add anything, but exactly what all the other girls said. I need her spot too when I go back to work.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    6,869

    Not ever been on maternity leave.....but liek everyone else has said, keep him in care.

    Ive never pulled the girls out at all and im home 24/7!