SAHMs - do you put your child/children in daycare?

[Little Gorilla]

Hello,

I have a DS who is in prep and a DD who will be 2.5 years in January.

I have just had a daycare centre ring and tell me they have a place for DD starting in January.....and I'm going to take it. It is only one day a week.....but I do feel a little guilty :o but also a little excited :o....the thought of having a whole day to clean the house without having a little one following me around or to do cook up in the kitchen for a few hours without interuption.

It also means I can volunteer in DS's class more often, help out at the school and have a special afternoon tea with DS once a week - just me and him.....he does love time with just me.

DP and myself don't go out very often - so I'm even thinking that on DD's daycare day I could meet him for lunch every now and again!

I have to say when I only had DS and was working part-time and I saw threads on here with SAHMs putting their kids in daycare I thought why the hell would you need to do that? But now I do understand.

I do feel very lucky that I am able to do this.

Any other SAHMs put their children in daycare for a couple of days a week?

[Señor Chang]

I'm looking into putting my daughter into daycare for one day a week. I can't tell you how excited I am about it.

[Blairysmum]

I personally don't and I don't intend to, but I have a friend who does and she like you are planning to meets her hubby for lunch!! She loves her day off, me I couldn't bare to leave my dd with someone I don't know! I may feel differently when she is older but tight now she is my precious baby!!

Have fun on your day off!!

[Kodileesmum]

I'm a SAHM and my DS is 2 & a half. I just started him at day care 1 day a week. He's been going for about a month now. I didn't really want to put him in care but he wasn't really mixing with other kids. When we did meet up with other kids, he didn't really know how to play with them. So I thought he needed to go for social skills & also he was getting really clingy to me so it doesn't hurt for him to be away from me once a week. I am hoping to start him 2 days a week in the new year. He is really upset every time I drop him off but I always sneak back & check on him & call them & he is always fine once he thinks I have left so I think 2 days will be good for him.
And it's been good for me to, I get all my housework done!! :yelclap:

[NonnyMouse]

I do. DS started going two days per week when DD was born as I was having trouble managing both all week long and still finding time for myself and DP, as well as errands that are easier with only a baby in tow.

[JabberJaw]

No. Because there isn't one where i live (an island!) There is one on the neighboring Island but it is not worth the effort of going there. Otherwise she would probably go for a day a week.

We go to music and playgroup :yes:

[1CrazyMoose]

I do my eldest is 2.5 (nearly) and he has been going since 26months. It's great cause that's when I catch up with alot of my friends, clean the house, do the grocery shopping, pay the bills, spend time with dd etc. I didn't want him to go but he kept getting upset everytime I drove past a school cause he saw the kids playing and begged to go to school literally. So he goes 2 days a week and absolutely loves it.

[Laksa]

No I don't but he goes to 3yo kindy for 2.5 hr/wk

[katieinwa]

my DD goes to her nana's for 2 days a week. she is very close to her. allows me to catch up on the washing! and i can nap when ds naps. bliss. we also go to playgroups during the week too

[Refresh]

No, I don't. I don't see the need, the kids are fine to come to tuckshop/reading/swimming at the boy's school with we all enjoy going grocery shopping, running other errands together. We do an organised activity everyday - Kindergym, playgroup, music, ballet, etc. :)

If we lived near any family, I would be happy to let them go visiting once a fortnight or something, but daycare, no.

[3blondies]

My DS and DD1 go every wednesday from 10am till 2pm, they could stay all day but i miss them :)

My friends dont really have kids their ages so its great for them to have a play while i do borring stuff like cleaning and paying bills. Also gives me some one on one time with DD2.

[Formerly Mick]

Because I study as well, my youngest DS(4) goes to childcare. However as of next week I'm cutting that back to 2 days a week (from 4 currently).

It not only gives me a break but he also really enjoys it.

[lemongrass]

No they dont. But maybe next year, we see.

[melindamumof1]

Yay for you! Day off! I put my DD in daycare recently and she loves it, and I get a day to do my 'stuff' with no interruption- everyones happy! I must say though daycare centre was no good for us -shudder- but family daycare is awesome. Enjoy your relaxo day :)

[Pina Colada]

No, none of mine are in daycare. But next year DD1 is in Year 1, and DS is in kindy 2 days a week, so I'm looking forward to spending a couple of quiet days with DD2 :cloud9:

[Jensha]

I was one of those 'I'm never putting my DD in daycare' But then she bacame a toddler (terrible 2's lol) and I needed a break for myself. So in january (2 1/2yrs old) she went one day a week. Then in about July she started a second day. I still feel guilty but I needed some me time. If I start work or study next year she'll have to go in a third day (middle/end of next year) but I guess that will help her get used to consecutive days for prep the following year.

[lulu 2]

Both of my older girls went to day care after they turned 1 and i am going to put bubs in for a day or 2 a week soon. We dont do playgroup and most of my friends kids are older so daycare is a good place for the kids to play with other kids of their age. I have always used the same daycare and the staff are great, I tried to get them into family daycare but none of the local ones wanted english speaking children unfortunately.
As much as i love having the kids with me they just dont like doing all the stuff i want to do and all i get then is tantrums.

[jlc70]

Yes!
My twins have just gone into family day care one day a week, so I can stay outta the funny farm!

[Bon4]

My almost 4 year old DD has been going to daycare for one day a week since the start of the year. My older two children go to school. I spend every Thursday alone with my youngest DD and we generally go to the shops and do groceries and all the other stuff that is so much easier to do with just one small child who is still happy to sit in the pram and doesn't ask for things every five minutes. Next year my 4 yo is going to kindy for 5 days a fortnight.

[RmumR]

I'm a forced stay at home mum these days - had to give up work due to preg complications.
My DD still attends daycare 3 days a week as i am not well enough to have the energy to care for her at home for the full week.
We were going to cut her back to 2 days next year once i am hopefully back on track but she loves going so much we are going to keep her there whilst we can afford to

[rissa1985]

I put my 2 in for 1 day a week.. They started about 6 weeks ago, I have now taken them out as every week they have been sick it's getting beyond the joke.. I figure when dd1 turns 3 next yr she can go to 3 yr old kinder for 2.5 hrs a week then when my 11 month old dd2 is old enough she can go... I just gate seeing them sick all the time let alone hubby And I getting sick too

[BigRedV]

Don't feel guilty, I believe it makes me a better mother when I have a day to myself :)

[Mummak8]

Absolutely. Dd started when she was 26mths and went 1 day a week, 1 yr later she went 2 days a week and has been since then, she's 4.5yrs now, she loves it and asks for more days. She loves her friends and all the activities I wouldn't be able to do here at home with her. DS started at about 28mths and he now loves it too. They started to become more independent and what they learn at their daycare is amazing, DD is learning to tell the time!!!!

Because we live rural they also learn about farming and farm animals etc. It gives me the break I need to be able to continue to be a sahm - it's been 5 years and whilst I've looked for jobs and haven't been lucky enough 2 days per week refreshes me no end. I also have a shift working hubby which does make life difficult too!

[brogeybear]

No, I don't. I don't intend on doing so either. I never used to be able to understand why SAHMs would use daycare, etc. but now, even though it is not for me and our family, I can understand how it works and can be beneficial for others.

[Myztiks#1Fan]

yes he goes 2 days per week

[chicken and eggs mum]

We are considering it......

DD will only be 14 months when bub arrives and i think she might need a break from me and bub and we will need a break from her!!

She is a full on social kind of child!! Either that or she will spend a day with my mum!!!

But she will be going somewhere!!!

[~ElectricPink~]

I haven't been a SAHM for the last two years, as I'm studying. But when i was a SAHM he was in daycare for one day a week from the age of one, and I'll be a SAHM again next year, and he'll be in for one day a week. I'm a single mother, so I need that break. It's also fantastic for his development! Don't feel guilty about it :)

[mummaof4]

nope no daycare.

[danni3]

nope have never had my children in day care/looked after by someone else.

This was the first year DD was away from me as she started kindy and she must have been glad for the change as I had one of the only kids who was 'ok bye mum, go home now' :D

[Sheer Bliss]

:yes: DD1 stayed in daycare 1 day PW when I started maternity leave when pregnant with DS1 - I was planning on returning to work and it is easier to get siblings in, so we kept up 1 day (I had worked 3 days previously and she had been in 3 days). When I was made redundant, i kept her there, and then we fell prengant with our twins. I got sick of fighting with DS1!!! He wanted to stay at daycare when we dropped DD1 off. He LOVED it there, so he started at about 21months. I was suffering from hyperemesis and was so tired, that it was a welcome break. He now goes 2 days pw, and when the babies were younger, I really needed the time to rest, sleep and catch up on everything - now he really enjoys it AND i really enjoy some 1 on 1 time (well, 1 on 2) with the bubbas.

[decambla]

No, I don't. I don't intend on doing so either. I never used to be able to understand why SAHMs would use daycare, etc. but now, even though it is not for me and our family, I can understand how it works and can be beneficial for others.

I agree. It's not for me but know alot of mums who need the break to catch up on things or just have some time for themselves.

[lovemyprincesses]

I put my DD (16mnths) in daycare 2days a week about a month ago. She loves it!!! Usually only 9-3ish.
I have another one on the way due late jan/early feb & not coping as weel tgis time. I also wasnt going to a playgroup anymore, as I have recently moved. shewas a very clingy bub, & is getting betternow. It will also give me some oneon one when the new bub gets here.
Oh & I can do errands & just relax, while I know she is having a good day

[TammyLou]

My DS goes to childcare once a week from 9am to 5pm. When I worked he used to go about 4 half days and he didn't want to leave as all his little friends are there and this is where he likes to be. I didn't want to take that away from him.

He gets to interact & play with other children. Learn & get messy.

I get to spend this day with my DD & also clean the house.. hehe

I wouldn't ask MIL or my own Mum to look after him as they'd just complain! :(

[Fuchsia!]

Yep, Im a single SAHM, I send him 2 days a week since he was 2yrs old.

[Dreambeliever]

DS started at daycare when he`was 2yr old and iwent back to work 3 days a week...but i worked at the childcare he goes to so i could still see him :goodvibes:

Now im on maternity leave and when bub arrives i will be a SAHM for at least a year (possibly longer). I was considering taking DS out of care...but he loves it so much and it will give me a chance to bond with the new bub too. So DS will be staying in care for 2 to 3 days a week.