Daycare vs Stay Home Thoughts??

Genalynn - posted on 03/29/2011

If you can't find a job and have to take him out of daycare its not a bad thing. I'm a stay at home mom and I absolutely love it. A lot of moms like the fact that their kids get to interact with other kids at daycare...but they can do that being a in a playgroup! My son and I are very active in a playgroup here in Camp Pendleton and I LOVE that he can hang out and play with other kids and I get to hang out with other moms.

Being a stay at home mom isn't all that bad, if you find ways to keep interaction with other people. =]

Sara - posted on 03/29/2011

Like most of the other women have said...it's whatever is going to work best for you and your family. If you can afford to stay home than personally that is what I would do. You will get to spend quality time with your child and teach him the things that you feel are important. You could try to find other Moms with kids around the same age, play groups etc. If you have a sitter that could watch him a few hours once a week so you had time to yourself it might help as well but in the end it's whatever is going to be best for you.

Tah - posted on 03/28/2011

I am many things...I'm home during the day except a few hours for classes a few days a week. So I tidy, laundry, etc. I also work, but, I'm blessed to make my own schedule so I usually work overnights if I decide to work at all. So I'm a sahm, student and working mom. I'm home when the kids get home, we work on projects, I shuttle them and my nieces to events and groups..girl scouts, karate, band and I take karate with them so we do it and practice as a family and do tournaments, and my kids have and still do go to daycare. My youngest anyway, the older 2are school aged. My husband tells me I can stay home, but I can't sit still, as you can probably tell. It helps that I love what I do and we can afford the daycare cost. I know that isn't an option for everyone. I think social interactions between children are beneficial especially in a learning environment and it readies them for school as well.

Marci - posted on 03/28/2011

My line of reasoning is that their dad is gone a ton due to military, so I wanted to be there as much as I could for them. Now their dad and I are getting a divorce and I am so glad I was a SAHM because now I have to work and won't be able to be with them every day anymore, so I will treasure the time that I had with them forever.

Christina - posted on 03/28/2011

I can see your point as well. At one time and point I had to work as well. But dropping a child off at 7 am and picking them up at 6 pm making dinner, baths book and bed. Really sucked rocks but we did have to do it for awhile and yes kids do survive. My son now loves the fact I am home and we are discussing me working pt at either night when Dad is home or on weekends when Dad can watch them to get caught up on bills. But if going back to work makes it financially better then you do it. Otherwise there are play groups and mommy groups for kids to get interaction time. We started a mommy helpers group here. Close knit group. 1 day a week the mommy's get together let the kids play and the other mommies help with housework or what ever so everyone wins. Adult time, house help and kids socialize.

Bellece - posted on 03/28/2011

You have to do what's best for you. There is positives and negatives to both choices.

Tah - posted on 03/28/2011

I guess I don't agree with dr.Laura...just because you child misses interactions with his peers and teachers doesn't mean they are raising your child. They are in school for essentially the same hours as well. They like those teachers and enjoy the interactions there, yet I don't hear people saying schools are raising their children. Actually find it kind of insulting and discouraging to people who have to work to make ends meet when they hear that kind of judgement.

Christina - posted on 03/28/2011

I have done the work and take kids to the daycare. When I was fired while on maternity leave I decided to stay at home. When my then 7yr old said he will miss his daycare family and wanted them more.It really hit home. I took what Dr. Laura said to heart they were raising my son! He was there before school and after school they had more time with him than I during a 24 hour period. Now with a 9yr old and a 2yr old daycare cost will kill me I would have to make @ 15 an hour that is not happening. There are a few legitimate work at home jobs. But if your family needs the income maybe work pt. Is the daycare hiring? Check out www.workathomeagent.com they have pt you work at home with your phone and computer doing customer service. It is a tough decisions. :)

Marci - posted on 03/27/2011

Personally i think home is ideal.

Teyaka - posted on 03/25/2011

I think that it is up to what it is that you really want to do. However, I enrolled my kids in an in-home daycare on base because they are a little more flexible. My kids still get to interact with others. I don't have to leave them there all day, but if I need to run errands I know that I don't have to take them with me. I would say look into an in-home daycare. Since you aren't working, you could just drop him off for a day or a few hours to get that interaction, once you do start working, he may be able to go to the same home while you're out.

Donielle - posted on 03/25/2011

I, personally, prefer to stay home. Keira gets plenty of interaction through the church nursery and play dates with a playgroup I found through meetup.com I've stayed home from the day my husband and I were married and love it. But I'm a home body and I know there are people out there that have to be doing something all the time. You could do something in between like a work at home type of thing. Stuff like mystery shopping, network marketing, etc.

Jaime - posted on 03/24/2011

I agree with you Elizabeth i love staying home with my babygirl! But i put her in daycare for a couple of hours a week so she can socialize with other kids and so I can have some down time for myself. But I would keep looking for a job because it seems like you want to work outside of the house, but also keep in mind it is really hard right now for people to find work. So I guess any decision you make im sure it will be good for your family either way. Good luck with everything!

Ashley - posted on 03/24/2011

If your family needs the money, I say continue looking. usajobs.com is a great resource. They give priority to military spouses.

Also, if your little guy loves the daycare and its working out well, then there is no reason to take him out. As long as you can afford it without a job. Consider the daycare a moment for you to gain ME time, if you can't find a job right away. Continue looking but also enjoy your time with yourself. :)

I have a little girl on the way (4 more weeks!) and I plan on being a stay at home mom, but once she's old enough to go to some sort of nursery school, she'll be there. :) I think it's very good for children to not only socialize with others, but gain a concept of "school" environment since that's the next step. :)

Hope that helps!

Elizabeth - posted on 03/24/2011

I like staying at home with my baby, but somedays are really hard. If I could do it I would be working two maybe three days a week. That way I could get some me space and get a break from mothering, but at the same time make a little money for the family.
Because I've been staying at home I don't miss the new and different things my baby does. It feels great to know I've taught her almost everything she knows. We've also been able to work on signing which has been a life saver in the communication department. Some daycares do that too.
I figure if you need the money, try to find the job, otherwise do what you feel like you want to do.

Tah - posted on 03/24/2011

This will be probably get loaded..lol. I personally have done both. I love the interactions that children get in daycare and the independence of making money and helping financially. I DONT think that daycare raises your child as many people say. If he likes daycare and you need or heck want to work I say keep looking and keep him in. What kind of work are you looking for. Try government jobs and
Www.indeed.com they have great listings....best wishes.