childcare- cdc or stay home

Melanie - posted on 08/31/2009

As one that has done both, I can tell you there are pros and cons to each side, at least from my perspective. If you are going to take your baby to a cdc, make sure it is nationally accredited so that NACCRRA will help subsidize your cost (if it is not on base). Research and visit the centers. Talk with the teachers. My son went to one and they would let him crawl and climb all over the place and did not notice when he got sick to call me ahead of time. The one he is at now is great and they really pay attention.



If you are going to stay at home, get a support system. Other moms on post for play dates and ppl to see in addition to your baby. After my husband deployed and I was home with my 11 mo old all day not knowing anyone where we were stationed, I had to get a job and have some adult interaction . Plus, he got social interaction and education that way, too. Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 08/31/2009

what financially works for you guys?



Do you have to go back to work right away? Or can you afford to stay home for a little while?



They kids WILL get sick. Let's face it, unless you stick the kid in a bubble, they're going to get germs, and eventually get sick. But this also helps to build your child's immune system. That's not to say purposely hand your newborn off to someone with the swine flu or something - that's just ridiculous! But you understand what I'mn saying.



At one point or another, children need to be socialized. They need to be around their peers to learn how to communicate, how to share, how to act in socitey. They can't get that being around Mommy all the time.



All that being said, I did have the luxury of staying home with my son for the whole first year of his life. I would bring him to play groups and to the play center at the mall. I went back to work this year, and it was hard at first to drop him off at daycare (our CDC is booked to the max too!) But it was harder for me then it was for him. He plays with this little friends, and learns things that I would not be able to teach him at home by ourselves. I miss him terribly, but the luxury you'll have with the CDC is the security and the web-cam monitoring!



Ultimately, it's what ever works for you!



Congrats by the way!

Shanon - posted on 08/27/2009

My 2.5 year old was in the CDC from 8 weeks until I had our second daughter a year later. I have absolutely no regrets! My daughter loved the CDC...when I dropped her off in the mornings she was so busy playing she didn't notice I was even leaving. She had her fair share of colds but her pediatrician said this was very normal as their bodies are building up the antibodies to resist colds each time they get sick. You can not possibly protect her from all germs. My second daughter has never been in daycare and she still had several colds last winter.



I have absolutely no regrets about taking my oldest to the CDC. She loved her caregivers and so did I. They were simply amazing and really loved my daughter. I am a SAHM now because of circumstances. We PCS'd to Germany last summer so I have not gone back to work. I am glad I have been able to spend time with my girls but if we were in the States I would have had to go back to work.



If you decide to keep your angel at home be sure to get her into a mommy and me group or maybe check out hourly/drop in care at the CDC. As for now I would certainly add your name to the list at the CDC...it is easy to take your name off but if you decide to send her and don't add your name now you will be at the bottom of the list when the time comes.

Jillian - posted on 08/26/2009

I am a stay at home mom and for me the choice was easy. It would have been more expensive to go to work and pay for child care, than to stay at home and take care of her myself, and i love spending all of my time with her, though i do think i am spoiling her because she doesn't really like anyone but me!! lol but she is only 4 1/2 months so maybe she will get over that

Cassandra - posted on 08/26/2009

Im a "new" sahm ive only been one since dec... I have a 3.5 year old and expecting my 2nd in dec.. i love being a sahm but sept my daughter will be going to preschool 3x a week for 3.5 hours.. so she can make some friends and get some interaction with others.. once my son is about ayr old i think i will do the same with him...

Amber - posted on 08/22/2009

Such a hard decsion! I had a friend watch my son when I returned to work, I had also heard stories from the CDC kids are on a diaper changing schedule and so on. When we moved to Germany my husband had the opportunity to stay at home with our son. He occasionally goes to the CDC. I've had good days and bad. They called my husband once to pick our son up because he wouldn't stop crying! He does get bit a lot, when when he's at home he doesn't and he does get the colds more often, I always try to choose a friend or a FCC provider, a more one-on-one approach.. good luck to you!

Melinda - posted on 08/21/2009

My daughter has been in childcare since she was 3 months old. From 3 months-1 years old ...she stayed with a friend, which was really nice. When she turned 1 ...I enrolled her at the CDC and I loved it! My daughter was very healthy and was rarely ever sick while at the CDC. I believe having social interaction with other children is great. It allows them to develop their personality and helps with speech and language development because they have constant stimulation. As far as doing your own home daycare, I would talk to other people who actually run one and get their opinions. I have heard both sides of people loving doing it and hating doing it because it runs into your own personal life/home and there are so many rules. Hope this helps!

Cassie - posted on 08/21/2009

Tour the CDC, see how the children and caregivers interact. I worked in childcare and taught preschool for 8 years...children in class/group settings will get sick, usually more so in the first couple of years. My daughter went to school with me the first year so I was able to check in on her throughout the day which was wonderful. When we transferred the CDC had a very long waiting list and the local daycares were too expensive so it made more sense for me to just stay home. It has been a wonderful experience for both of me and my daughter (I have recently had another baby). I do recommend finding a Mothers morning out (so you can have a little "me" time) or joining a playgroup both of which will allow your child an opportunity to develope social skills.

Teyaka - posted on 08/20/2009

I owuld say look into the in home daycares on base. Those are inspected all the time. I hear the same thing that kids get sick alot at the CDC. I also find that the in home daycares are more in touch and flexible with certain situations.

Sarah - posted on 08/20/2009

actually im considering doing my own at home daycare.... i just cant decide!!!! and i agree staying home and spending as much time with her will be great... since it will be our only child... so I am not so sure still :S

Ashley - posted on 08/20/2009

i am a stay at home mom.. you have the rest of your life to work i would spend as much time with your baby as possible now.. before you know it she will be a teenager and she wont want anything to do with you except borrow the car!

Michelle - posted on 08/20/2009

Have you thought about one of the Family Child Care homes (FCC)? I am a provider and the kids I watch are never sick, including my own 5.

Sarah - posted on 08/20/2009

well the thing is i am almost done with school... and its in early childhood education.... i think it would be great but at the same time i kinda want to spend as much time with her as i can before she goes to school! also i want to go back to work so im thinking the cdc is a good idea. ah!!!!!!!!!!!!! such a decicion....

Mindy - posted on 08/20/2009

i have my son in a cdc since he was 3 months old. I love it. He get the friends and education that i can't give him. Any place you take your son/daughter they will get sick. My son mabey gets sick every 6 months due to weather changing. Its not a monthly or weekly thing and he is now 3. He enjoys going everday and I love the teachers he has.