Would it be worth it?

I am a sahm, and while I absolutely love it. Well, sometimes a mom just needs a break . Dh and I are thinking of having the kids go to daycare once a week. Its $50 a day for both kids, so this would be about $200 a month. Do you think this money would be worth it? While we arent scraping for change, we arent rolling in dough either-I would have to do some adjusting to the budget (i.e spend a bit less on groceries, buy some clothes at a consignment shop for the kids instead of directly from the Carter's store or whatever, ect) but I think it could be manageable.
We just moved here so my kids arent around other kids much, they see their cousins about once a week-one is 6 weeks older-but other than that they dont have much interaction with others. So, we were thinking this might help with some social skills. They also lag a bit in the speech area, particularly dd, so we were thinking this might help as well. I dont know.

Thoughts? Ideas?

 

If I were you, I'd totally do it. We have in-home care (DH and I work full time), and I'm beginning to think that my boys would really benefit from seeing other kids more often. Last weekend they saw their cousins for the 2nd time in their lives (they live in Maine) and had a blast.

It sounds like this might be a good experience for your LOs, and an opportunity for you to get stuff done or just take a break.

 

My boys go to daycare once a week for 2 1/2 hours for the same reasons as what you're describing. I'm a SAHM and need a break and they need a break from me. I say if you can afford it, do it!!! I felt like my boys needed to experience something other than the four walls of my house and socialize with other kids. We've only be doing this for a few weeks so the boys are still warming up to the daycare provider; she's an old accquaintance of mine and has a 4 years old son that plays with the boys but I really think they like it! GL with your decision!

 

If you're short on cash I'd probably look at free alternatives like toddler time at the library, kids club at the mall etc... and I'd save money to send them to preschool next year.

 

I say go for it, too! I'm in a similar situation...SAHM and no other exposure to kids. My oldest was really shy before I started him in daycare - 1-2x/wk for about 6 hrs. No, we didn't "need" it, either, (yep, we made those financial sacrifices, too) but I truly believe it helped him socially AND me mentally! That little break made a huge difference in my attitude for sure. He's much better at separating from me when he has to now, too. He just started pre-K and made a really smooth transition. I don't think it would've been so easy for him w/o that prior experience away from me. I thinks it's really healthy exposure!

 

I agree-- go for it!!!

 

I think if you can swing it financially then it is worth going for it! I am a SAHM and most daycares require either 3 or 5 day schedule around here but if I could do that with my two and afford it, I'd definitely do it. Good luck with your decision!

 

My girls were home with me for the first 1.5 years and are now with a nanny. I think they are starting to get board. So starting this summer we enrolled them in preschool for two half days. That way they can still have fun and be home just in time for nap. I'm not sure where you live but $200 bucks a month is great!

 

One of the best decisions I made was sending them to a Kids Day Out program when they were 22 months. I started off with one day a week and they now go 2 days for 2 1/2 hours each.

It gives us all a break. They have a great time and when they start pre-school it won't be that big of a deal for them.

Prior to them going, they came everywhere with me. I can now go to a Dr or dentist appointment and not have to worry about if they will have a meltdown.

If you can afford it, I say go for it.

 

I am a SAHM also and agree with needing some time away sometimes. Luckily, we are very blessed to have all of our immediate family in town and we are active in our church so the girls get a lot of interaction with other children that way. Just keep in mind that the more they are around other children, the higher their chances of getting sick will be. I would say that about every 3 weeks, my girls get sick from being around the other kids at church, especially during the winter season. If you can afford it though and need that break, go for it!

 

I'd say it's worth it. My kids are in daycare M-F, and I can't even explain how much they get out of it (of course, I'm not great with knowing how to teach them things, so that's a big factor for me). Plus, it'll give you a day a week to decompress and be charged up for the other four days.

 

I put mine into daycare when I had my third child. My girls love it and now it really has become a need for them and me. I'd go back to work now so they could go to daycare. They love the interaction with the kids especially my one daughter who is active. They both go one day a week and the other twin only goes one day since she has appointments. The daycare is great at allowing me to put them in an extra day if I have something on. They have sort of become my baby sitter. I don't feel daycare puts them ahead --- I'm not saying daycare will make them smarter.... it is just I love to see them active and enjoying to learn from other kids and adults.


Heather

 

I am a working mom and know how hard it is to leave your little ones. I also know how many illness my two got when they were just at another persons home. They were getting sick EVERY week. I ended up hiring a girl to come over to my house. Much better, plus they are in their own envrionment where you know they will be safe. Id hire a nanny. if you look on craigslist, they are around $10 an hour. good luck!

 

I know it stinks having your kids sick, but it does build up their immune system. My boys started their program in November and I swear they had colds almost all winter long. Plus it was that thick, nasty, yellow discharge type cold. :bad: It would clear up, we'd be ok for a week and it would start all over again. :crazy: One also caught the stomach flu and gave it to me (luckly the other one never got it ardon: )

I have heard from a lot of mom's that the first year is childcare is the worst and after that it does get better. I have noticed now that it's getting warmer, they have not been sick. It's been over a month since their last cold. :Clap:

Sooner or later our kids are going to be exposed to sickness by being around other kids. I'd rather build up their immune system now and get it out of the way instead of waiting until they start preschool or kindergarden.