Is there anyone else there that has put there child into daycare not because you work?

Sarah - posted on 07/24/2010

I'm a SAHM & I'm thinking of starting my son in a Mother's Day Out program in the fall (He will be 1 in September). It's one day a week from like 9:00-2:00 or something like that. I'm mainly doing it for him to start socializing more often. He has BAD stranger anxiety, so I'm hoping it helps with that! Plus, I'd like one day a week for myself to get a bunch of stuff done. :)

Sharon - posted on 07/24/2010

My little boy is in day care this year and I am a stay at home Mum. He goes one day a week. The reasons for this are: I need a break from him as he is very hard work. (won't go into details there!) He is ready to socialise but too young to go the local kindy. It has been a great thing for both me and my boy. I encourage you to it and don't feel guilty about it. It is our job to encourage our kids out into the world and day care is a good starting point. All the best.

Nicky - posted on 07/24/2010

Megan I am about to do the same thing with my 2 & 1/2 yr old daughter for exactly the same reasons.

Sapphire - posted on 07/24/2010

I think it's a terrific idea. I am so sick of daycares being bashed like they are ALL horrible places. No, they are not. As a parent, you will do your research as to find the best placement for your child. If you have the opportunity to introduce your child to new friends and a different social setting while allowing yourself some time by yourself, then there is nothing to feel bad about. I am unsure with what you mean about cheating being a SAHM. Does that mean you are supposed to be tethered to your child 24/7 for 365 days a year until the day they start Kindergarten? I don't mean that in a mocking way either.

Lucy - posted on 07/24/2010

Great, 3 and a half months should be plenty for your son to get used to his new routine- Good luck, I hope he loves it!

Angela - posted on 07/24/2010

I think it´s a great idea, we did it when our son was two because we have no friends with kids and he was such a serious little thing, the kindergarten helped him develop in so many ways, even though we felt mean at the time sending him there so young we´ve never regretted it. One thing to watch for, is that normally when kids start hanging out with other kids they start getting sick! Flu, colds, etc that they haven´t come into contact with at home. I´d start him now so by the time you´re ready for next little bundle of joy, your 2 yr old will be more settled and probably over the first sicknesses.

Daphne - posted on 07/23/2010

Totally normal! I did "Mothers Day Out" and many of my stay at home moms do it. you need the break and it is fun for your child. They love the socialization and you can be refreshed and ready to have the best experiences with your child when they get home. Happy mommy-happy kids! I did 2 mornings a week. When they turned 3 I did 3 mornings a week, and so on till kindergarten. It is rare meeting the mom that is with her kid 24/7.

Becky - posted on 07/23/2010

When I was laid off from work for a while, and taking care of my Mother who had cancer, I sent my daughter every weekday to day care. Part of it was that I was only off work for 2-3 months and didn't want to completely disrupt her schedule. But a lot of it was needing time for my Mother to rest and time for me to take care of the house and my mothers appointments and medications. She was happy to go because she had all kinds of friends there (she was 4 years old) and it was more fun than having to help Mom clean up or sit and be quiet while Grandma napped!

Kathy - posted on 07/23/2010

Daycare can be a wonderful place for your child to develop independence and social skills. Also there are daycares that have early education programs so he can a head start for school. I started both of my kids in preschool early for the simple reasons that they didn't have the social interactions with other children their age. I was working by the time they were both 2 but either family or a small independant at home babysitter watched my children. If you think it will benefit not only him but you-go for it. It is very important for children to have that interaction with other children their age. Good lcuk!

Medic - posted on 07/23/2010

I put my son in pre-school when I was pregnant and he loved it...the only horrible part was when it ended for summer....so sad

Megan - posted on 07/23/2010

If he is going he will be going in the middle of aug. so he will have 3 and a half months in preschool before the baby arrives

Lucy - posted on 07/23/2010

Here in the UK the benefits to a child of attending a pre school setting for some time each week are recognised widely, so every child is entitled to 12.5 funded hours a week to be used at a nursery/pre school of your choice. This is the case whether you are a stay at home parent or not.



To me, it is wonderfully complimentary to the nurturing environment a child experiences when they have a SAHM. Both my kids (2 and 4) attend an informal play school for a couple of mornings and afternoons each week, and they love it. They do lots of lovely activities that would be impractical at home and have made a great circle of friends who they will be at school with when the time comes.



Yes, it is a real bonus for Mum to have some time to herself, but the real benefit is for the child, so i say it's a great idea.



I would just add, though, that you should enroll your son very soon, as if it happens just as a baby is about to arrive he may feel he is being shoved out of the way to make room for his new sibling. Having to share Mummy can be a shock to the system for a little one, so it would be best if he is already well settled and enjoying his time at daycare/preschool well before the new arrival.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 07/23/2010

I think you should totally do that. If I had the money for it, I would also have my son in day care, or pre-school. It is great for socializing. You don't have to do the full day, just half day to start to have them get used to it. Good luck!

Sharon - posted on 07/23/2010

my sister in law did that just to socialize her son and she was a stay are home mom. I do it during the summers with my daughter not because I'm working the summers but there are just some days when mommy needs to have some mommy time for mommy things.

Joan - posted on 07/23/2010

hi
i didn't put my kids into daycare but i did put them into nursery school. we lived in an apartment where there were not many kids.i put them into nursery school for the social interaction. i wanted them to learn how to play with other kids before they were sent to kindergarten for the first time. they loved it.