One day of daycare per week

So currently we have had a nanny come to the house 1 day/week since the twins were 4 mos old (courtesy of the FIL)... It has been soooo nice and a great break for me. Now that they are getting a little older though (almost 13 mos) I am tossing around the idea of sending them to 1 day of daycare instead. I just feel like they are in this house A LOT (everyday) and maybe it would be good for them to get out be somewhere different and be around other kids and other toys, etc? I realize they'll get sick more and not get as much attention as at home and I'm ok with this.

Has anyone done anything similar and had good or bad experiences? Or should i stick with what I have? Thanks in advance!!

 

I personally wouldn't just because they will get sick more and I don't think paying for 1 day would be worth it. Is there a way that the nanny can take them to the park or maybe contact your local twins/mommy group and maybe they have a playgroup time that would work. Just a couple thoughts.

 

I totally agree with you... if we had those sorts of things here. Guess i do need to explain that I live in a small town with no twins/mommy groups and I don't want the nanny to drive the kids because we live up a really nasty road that requires 4 wheel drive and I don't trust her with that. But you are right they will get sick more and would they ever really 'get in a groove' with daycare going only 1 day/week? Any other opinions are valued thanks!

 

Oh wow that does make things tough! I think in that case daycare is a good alternative. Good luck with what ever you decide

 

I think going just one day a week would be pretty hard for them to get used to. (I don't think our daycare even accepts kids for just one day a week.) That's also a tough age for starting something new. I don't think it would be worth the emotional upheaval (to say nothing of the sicknesses) unless they can go at least 3 days a week -- and it's best to go 3 days in a row. Otherwise they get emotional whiplash.

Obviously, kids can get used to anything if it's a necessity, but since you have a choice, I wouldn't do it.

If you want them to be able to get out of the house more often, I'd do it on the days when you're home with them, and let the nanny just keep them at home.

 

I'd stick with the nanny. I think it would be really difficult for them to ever get into a routine at the daycare when only going 1xweek. It would probably always be a difficult separation because by the time their weekly daycare day came around, it would be like starting all over again.

Can you find other moms in your town with kids the same age and try to start a weekly playgroup, maybe? Or can you go to a neighboring town's library for kids' story time or a McDonald's playplace or something on the days you are home with the kids?

 

I understand what PPs have said about getting into a routine at daycare only one day a week. How is that different than taking kids to the church nursery one morning a week, though? Is it because daycare is for an entire day and they eat there, sleep there, etc? My kids don't go to daycare, so I'm not familiar with how much of an adjustment it is.

 

LOL, odd one out here...
I actually asked this question on here just a few months ago . Anyway, I did decide to take them to daycare once week (starting around 18 months)-it gives them a chance to expand socially, verbally, and just get out for a day. Yes, it did take them about 3-4 weeks to adjust, but now they usually cry in the am when we drop them off...but are good the rest of the day. I just got a job offer so they will actually be going to daycare part time starting next month. All in all I'm glad we did put them in 1 day a week, if you stick with it they can adjust.

 

Thanks for all of the thoughts everyone that really helps!! Except I'm still on the fence, LOL! Guess I'll just give it some more thought. And to Hsuter, thanks for posting because it is nice to know someone did it and it worked out. It's kind of what I figured that they'd adjust in a few weeks but I needed to hear it for sure. I guess I am just worried that if I don't do it they will TOTALLY freak out come time to go to preschool and have a serious mommy/home attachment. And the reason I think this is because I WAS this kid. I had horrible visions of my mom dead every time I went to pre-K and K and was a really shy kid for awhile and I feel like no kid that ever had to go to daycare was as shy and codependent on mommy as me Kind of weird I know... But anyway I think I am going to ask the nanny her opinion since she worked in daycares in this town and that will also help lead into the conversation of her possibly not working here anymore (she has another full time nanny job so I won't feel too bad)... Thanks again! and I will check out the older post too.

 

In September I am planning on sending my girls to a daycare type group one day/week. It's only from 9am-3:30pm and it's only one day/week but I am soooooo excited for them and for myself to have the break to do my grocceries/appointments without them tagging along. My girls will be 2 when they start this group but I think it's a great idea for them and for you.

 

I think it's a good idea Mommies need their own time too. I am a SAHM, but I take them to the babysitters once or twice a week for a couple hours. It gives me time to get stuff done that I can't do with them and just have a little time to relax. They enjoy playing with the babysitter's kids and having some new toys for a few hours. The babysitter gets the extra cash she needs. It's really a win-win. I've had SAHMs give me some weird looks, like, why on earth do you need a babysitter? Every situation is different. I personally have a DH who works a lot and is out of town frequently, so it's something that is a lifesaver for me. You can always try it and see if you all like it

 

With your situation, I think I would give it a shot! It's a great opportunity for them to interact with other children their age, where it sounds like they don't get many chances for that. You would continue to have a down day to recharge or catch up on things. I'm sure it will take a bit to adjust, but a lot of people take their kids to grandma's once a week, etc. It's no different once they learn they are safe and will have fun there.

Good luck with your decision.

 

I also would do it (and plan to). I think the socialization is great for them. Right now mine go to the church nursery once a week and to the childwatch at the gym and they love it. I'm planning on doing one half day (9-1) this summer and then going to 2 half days in the fall. I think it's important for them to be around other adults and other children. Sure they might get sick more often, but they're going to get sick sooner or later. Good luck with your decision.

 

Another odd one out here. :drinks:

If had had known about it earlier, then would have been going to a Kid's Day Out program when they were 8 months old. Instead, I found out about it when they were 22 months.

It's at a local church and it's fairly cheap ($12.50 per child/day). They go from 9-11:30 and it gives them time to be around other kids without me present. At first they were going one day a week and now they go two days. Over the summer they will go from 9-1:00 and eat lunch there. It also gets them used to a schedule.


The first day they cried for about 20 minutes. The next week it was about 10 minutes. Within a month (or by the 4th day) they did not cry. Now at 28 months they get out of the car and walk right in. They know the teachers and are comfortable with them.


Have they gotten sick more....YES! But I feel the sooner the better. If I would have held off until they started preschool, which for them would be at 3 1/2, I would be dealing with it then.

I think it was one of the best decisions I've made for them.

 

Thanks everyone!! I think I am going to go for it! I just have to tell our nanny today (which I'm not looking forward to) but I think it is for the best. She really specializes in babies (not toddlers) anyway so I think it will be best on all fronts. Thanks again for all of the advise

 

This is actually why we started it...to avoid the seperation anxiety for when they start pre-school

like pp mentioned there are some programs called Mothers Day Out that are sometimes cheaper. We found that a local daycare is actually cheaper, so we went that route.

 

Yeah, it's crazy but there is no Mother's Day out here!... like I said, small town. Anyway, I pulled the trigger and told the nanny we were going to do daycare instead. She thought it was a great idea and the right thing to do. She then told me horror stories about 1 of her 5 children going nuts when she started preschool. So I felt better about the whole thing... They are officially enrolled & will start in 2 weeks, yeah! Hate to say it but it will be SO nice to have my house back for 1 day/week. They've been in here every single day since they were 3 mos. old when we moved to this house.

 

I started my two in daycare when I had my third child -- they were about 16 months old. I had one daughter who goes two days a week and the other daughter just one day because she has many Dr. appointments. They LOVE it. I did find that I would ask at the daycare if they had any extra days open and the odd time put my one daughter in for 2 days in that week. I found she needed it especially in the beginning to get used to daycare. Yeah they get sick the odd time, but they do at Mc Donalds play stuff too. Mine actually go from 7:30 - 5:00 or even 5:30 !! I've picked up my one daughter at 4:30 once and she had a HUGE temper tantrum because she didnt' get to play long enough outside. I figure they might as well get there early and play there instead of at home.

The one USED to cry but in 10 mins or less it was over. It is great to pick them up so exhausted, dirty but happy from playing so hard. I LOVE daycare. I really want my kids to have some independence from me and I find I NEED it too.

I hope you have a good experience as well.

 

Thanks heathertwins! I hope it goes well for us too, I'm sure it will after a couple of weeks of them getting used to it!

 

When I went back to work when the twins were 2, we were able to work our schedules so that someone was home everyday except Mon. and Wed. So, they went to daycare 2 days a week. There was an initial getting used to it phase, but they did great and have done great ever since. They now go 3 days/week, but they go M,W,F so there is a break in between the days and they still don't have a problem. I think it's been great for their socialization and sometimes just one day a week can do wonders for Mom and the kids will probably have a blast learning and playing with the other kids.