I also posted this in my DDC but found this forum and thought others here might have thoughts. My DD was born 12/28/2009. I had to return to work a few weeks after she was born as I am the primary breadwinner in my family so I came back part-time as I do primarily contract work with no paid time off. My partner went to midnight shift this year so we could "tag team" while waiting for a spot in day care which we were told would probably be 6-8 months. The only two day cares I looked at are NAEYC accredited. Sure enough, a spot opened up in one right away, and now I'm really torn with the thought of her going. The way we have the schedule set up, she'll probably go 12-3 pm four days a week (I'll go to work when he gets off at 7:00 am and he will spend the morning with her, the drop her off and go to sleep). Right now, I go to work when he gets home, and I get home and he sleeps but he's not really getting enough sleep and it's getting to everyone.
I am absolutely terrified of leaving her with strangers even though I like the place, it's clean, teachers seem nice, etc. My son is 8 1/2 and he started at day care when he was 3 months old and I don't remember feeling this way at all. With her, whenever I think about leaving her, I just start to cry.
I'm sure others have felt this way - any advice? Tomorrow, I am taking her there at lunch time and will hang out with her there for an hour or so. Wednesday, she will stay for an hour or so and then Thursday and Friday we'll start her going 12-3. I know that this is only 9-12 hours a week but I'm really sad about it. I could re-arrange my schedule and probably never need care (most likely at the expense of our relationship) but I also want to keep the spot in the daycare since it's one of only two that are accredited and hard to get into too and I'm sure when she's a little older, I'll be glad that we have the spot for her. I keep reading about the dangers of day care, etc.
I'm just rambling now, but any advice greatly appreciated.
C.
I am absolutely terrified of leaving her with strangers even though I like the place, it's clean, teachers seem nice, etc. My son is 8 1/2 and he started at day care when he was 3 months old and I don't remember feeling this way at all. With her, whenever I think about leaving her, I just start to cry.
I'm sure others have felt this way - any advice? Tomorrow, I am taking her there at lunch time and will hang out with her there for an hour or so. Wednesday, she will stay for an hour or so and then Thursday and Friday we'll start her going 12-3. I know that this is only 9-12 hours a week but I'm really sad about it. I could re-arrange my schedule and probably never need care (most likely at the expense of our relationship) but I also want to keep the spot in the daycare since it's one of only two that are accredited and hard to get into too and I'm sure when she's a little older, I'll be glad that we have the spot for her. I keep reading about the dangers of day care, etc.
I'm just rambling now, but any advice greatly appreciated.
C.
s
