Child Care Q- What would you do?

I think I have already made up my mind what to do, but just sounding others out to make sure it is not my irrational pg brain making the decision.

I have just started maternity leave in prep for bubba #3 arriving, before now I have been working 3 days a week. DD is at Kindy (in WA which is at the primary school 5 days a fortnight) DS was in Daycare 1 day a week.

Now I have finished work I am thinking of taking DS out of daycare, he really isnt happy there, and while I was working it was something we had to do, but now I am home I feel bad for sending him in when I know he doesnt like it much, he gets upset when I leave him in the mornings (still after 2 years of going) he is fully toilet trained both day and night but has been wetting himself there after rest time for the last month or so. He doesnt seem to like to play with the other kids much, which doesn't bother me, he has a great imagination and loves playing his own games. I dont blame the CC centre, they have been fantastic and I have been using them for over 2 years, I just don't know that it is the right fit for him.

Some people are telling me I am crazy, I will have a young baby at home and I should use the time for myself etc. However it is not like I am not without other support, DH only works 4 days a week, as he was doing SAHD thing 1 day a week while I worked, and my mum works from home and is happy to have the kids for me once a week.

My only concern is that I will have to go back to work in the middle of next year and I am worried if I take him out he won't settle well again, but I guess I can look at other options like FDC, plus he will nearly be 3 and a half by then.

Anyway I guess what I am trying to get to in that long winded explanation, is if you were in my situation would you take him out, or leave him in and ride it out?

Umm thats a tough one. My first thought was to take him out if he is not happy. But then if you are going back to work the disruption may be worse for him.

Do you know why he doesn't like it? Maybe if you could work out what he doesn't like about it you may be able work on helping him overcome the issue.

Sorry no real help, but you do what you feel is best for you and your son at the time - that is the only thing you can do.

Take him out.

Worry about re-settling him when that time comes. I have seen plenty of kids who didn't settle at 2-ish come back and settle beautifully a year or so later. Could be same staff, same room, just child slightly more ready. He might really surprise you.

Good luck!

I'd say take him out.. He'll be a little bit older next year and might actually enjoy going..

Good luck!

I'd go with your heart on this one hun, take him out.

Ok, you're going to have a new baby but it might be nice for him to be at home with you and bubby - especially if he isn't enjoying the day care. It might be good for him to have some time with you guys again and then be more ready for day care when the time comes?

Sue xxx

I say take him out too and look into family day care when the time comes for you to return to work.

I would take him out and look into other options while you are Mat leave. Family Day care is fantastic.
You may need to put his name down early for a place in family day care and then you can interview families for family day care a couple of weeks before you need to go back to work to get him settled in.
Good thing with Family Day Care is you can start with half days and only pay the half day. That way if you want to put him in earlier while you are on Mat leave you can start in baby steps for him.

Thanks for all the advice guys, I really think this is something where the heart has to win. He is such a cruisy toddler that it is not difficult to have him home- I think FDC will be the way for us in the future, but I have a good 8 months before I have to go back towork, which gives me a good chance to explore my options.

Good plan xxxx