who should watch her?

[bec79]

Hi ladies and gents,

I need opinions on a dilemma I am having.

As some of you may know I am heading back to uni at the end of this month.
I am only doing 2 subjects as I am easing myself back into it. I have to go 2 days a week, with 4-5 hours between each lecture/tut. I am b/feeding my DD, and have to keep b/feeding her as she won't take a bottle. Have worked it out so I will have to go back and forth to uni twice a day, so I can feed her.

I have three options when it comes to the care of DD.
Firstly, I have my sister, who I am very close to and is also a SAHM. She has two young boys the youngest being 9mths. older then Porsha. She has a good set up...sandpit, swings, etc. Obviously recent experience with bubs and I feel at ease leaving my DD with her. One problem, she lives 30min. in opposite direction from uni.
Secondly, I have MIL. Who lives 15min from uni, but doesn't have much other than teddies to entertain DD. Dosn't have rocker, highchair, etc.

My question: Should I let MIL take care for my DD? Or should I travel the long distance to my sisters place.(1hr. round trip).

Otherwise, should I fork out the cash and put her into daycare at a centre near the uni?

[our little treasures]

Take her to your sisters! You feel happier just thinking about it so take her where you feel comfortable.. The other children will be good company, I often look after my brothers 3 and my 2 all were under 18mnths with no hassles they were good company for each other, I am saying this as you may feel it might get too much for your sister!! If your MIL gets in your dd's face I would'nt leave her there!!

[bella'sbub]

yeah I agree! getting your head around studying again will be hard enough, without sitting in a tutorial worrying if MIL is corrupting your bub. You have a right to have your bbay in an environment you feel comfy with. This is not over protective she is your preciuos little girl. You could go check out the uni daycare too if that will help you decide. Good luck.

[rynosmum]

I'd actually take the daycare option.

That way, bubs is getting a structured day (rather than just playing for the day at your sisters) , gets to meet lots of new friends and you also don't risk a fallout with your sister at a later date if things don't work out.

My little one is in Daycare 3 times per week and he loves it. They do painting, water and sand play, dancing, free play, story time etc - a lot of things we probably wouldn't do at home in a normal day. The routine is structured, I can view his progess plans at any time and he has so many friends, it's great. I can also drop him off and pick him up at anytime without putting anyone else's schedule out.

[Rhoxie]

I'd probably do it slightly different

I'd do the uni daycare option for Sem 1 - since she is still b/feeding and this is the easiest for you to drop in and out and feed during the day. Also it means you have extra time (since you won't have to rush off for pick ups - re 30min drive to sisters) for catching up with fellow students, ducking to the library etc.

Then for Sem 2 (assuming that by 12 months your little one can go a day with out b/milk or you can leave some in a cup). I'd leave her at your sisters. By then she'll be bigger - more able to play with her cousins and enjoy the interaction with them - she'll also have been used to other children from daycare and won't be expecting the one on one care like she gets at home.


I've had three children - the first arrived during my first uni degree and I used the uni childcare and b/feed and popped in and out of the childcare through out the day. This worked really well.

Last year I went back to uni to do further study when my 3rd bub was 8m old (and also breastfed) I wanted to use the uni childcare centre again but the waiting list was 3years for the babies room. So instead I have a friend who minds him (Luckily he took EBM in a pigeon bottle) she also does the school pick up/drop off for my older too as well - which is fantastic! :)
This year I'm back at uni again and I'm doing the same thing as last year ... although this year my friend is also minding someone elses bub as well so Sebastian has a playmate occasionally when I need the same day.

[bec79]

Rhoxie, your suggestion would be ideal, but unfortunately being a fairly new campus, there is no daycare centre in place at the uni.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.:(

[sugar n spice]

I would say either day care or your sisters.

[Luckymummy]

is there even a question.Your child is you main concern, and if you know that the child will not only be happier and well cared for with your sister but you also know that her safety and every need will be met . Travel is a big issue, but is it as big as the safety and happyness of a child, I dont think so - your gut is telling you whats right, and a little hardships for awhile will only be rewarded in the future. Good luck:)

[ThomasMum]

I'd actually take the daycare option.

That way, bubs is getting a structured day (rather than just playing for the day at your sisters) , gets to meet lots of new friends and you also don't risk a fallout with your sister at a later date if things don't work out.

My little one is in Daycare 3 times per week and he loves it. They do painting, water and sand play, dancing, free play, story time etc - a lot of things we probably wouldn't do at home in a normal day. The routine is structured, I can view his progess plans at any time and he has so many friends, it's great. I can also drop him off and pick him up at anytime without putting anyone else's schedule out.

I couldnt agree more! :D

[Mischief]

Hey there. If you take Porcha (love the name by the way!!) to your sisters, how will you go about breast feeding her? How many times per day does she breastfeed?

Its a tuff call....I understand what a hard decision it must be to make. My MIL will take great care of our baby, but she has different opinions on disipline which does concern me, but its not her I'm hung up on....my SIL and her hubby are almost CONSTANTLY at my MILs place....and I dont trust him with the baby at all...he is ruff, can be aggressive and I just generally get a bad feeling about him....and they are thinking of moving in with MIL. If that happens bubs is going in child care!

I'll only be returning to work part time, and the price of childcare will make it almost useless, but I'd feel better knowing my bub isnt around my SIL's hubby so much.

You have to do what feels right for you. You can try taking her to your sisters....who as you said has all the equipment to look after Porcha, and if it gets to much consider the other options. If you are stressed and worried about who is looking after bubs you wont be able to concentrate at Uni anyway! XXOO

Goodluck with your desision making!