Im going on maternity leave in late April. Ds will be close to 3 and a half.
Im in two minds about having him in daycare 1, maybe 2 days a week while I am on maternity leave. He goes 3 days a week currently, and generally likes going, so its not like he wont be used to going, and probably would not alter which days he goes but I feel like he should be home with me if im home and I'd be less of a good mum for sending him.
Has anyone else been in the postion where an older child has been in daycare when they went on maternity leave?
What did you do?
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
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.
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.
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!
childcare for older child when on maternity leave
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