Me: Vacation. DD: Daycare?

[Halfasianmomma]

I get 10 days of paid vacation this year. I'm ecstatic. I'm taking one week here in town and the other week, DD and I are going to a cottage my family and I rented out of town--as in, in the middle of nowhere, with a lovely private beach by a lake.

During my week here in town, my parents, with whom I currently live, will be away at the cottage. They generally help me a great deal with childcare. I've elected to stay in town so I can take in some of the local city events, and also because I'd really like some time alone. However, I'm feeling rather guilty that I'd be putting DD in daycare for the 5 days I'm here in town (I've told the daycare that she'll be absent the following week).

What do you think? Is it selfish of me to want some days to myself, totally alone? I feel like I'm whiny when I say this, but I haven't had a vacation in a LONG time, and since my separation/divorce, things have been rather, um, hectic, to say the least. I'm toying with the idea of perhaps taking DD to this indoor waterpark place on the Friday of my week off...

[dioramamama]

Do it! You'll recharge and be in great spirits when you go to the cottage. Don't feel guilty. Take care of yourself!

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

Trust me when I tell you, you will find yourself picking her up earlier and dropping her off later then normal. Just because your sending her to daycare doesnt mean she has to go for the full 8 or 10 hours a day.

I have done it myself when Ive had random days off. Only because, who in Gods name can clean the house when you have two toddlers at your feet fighting you for the vaccum?

[texmati]

do it, and don't feel guilty. If you want to, perhaps you could do something fun with her in the evenings, that you normally wouldn't get to because of the usual weekday rush.

[Caneel]

Originally Posted by dioramamama

Do it! You'll recharge and be in great spirits when you go to the cottage. Don't feel guilty. Take care of yourself!

yep! Do it!

[russsk]

DS doesn't go to daycare, but I've often fantasized about something like this! Do it! If not for you, then do it for me!

[Halfasianmomma]

Originally Posted by Barbie64g

who in Gods name can clean the house when you have two toddlers at your feet fighting you for the vaccum?

Lol, thanks for the laugh mama. It made me remember that DD also loves to sit on the hose while I try to clean.

Originally Posted by russsk

Do it! If not for you, then do it for me!

Hehe ok. Deal. Daycare for DD it is.

[nextcommercial]

I am a daycare provider, and I always have parents do this. Nearly every parent does this at least once or so a year.

As long as the provider is getting paid, and they can reach you if they need to, they don't really care if you are working or getting your nails done. ETA.. We do care if you are on vacation, and still can't manage pickup before the daycare closes. We get really cranky when we have to work late when we know it isn't necessary.

I think it's important to every adult to have several days alone, but to really enjoy it. You should look forward to your time off.

[2lilsweetfoxes]

Originally Posted by Barbie64g

Trust me when I tell you, you will find yourself picking her up earlier and dropping her off later then normal. Just because your sending her to daycare doesnt mean she has to go for the full 8 or 10 hours a day.

I have done it myself when Ive had random days off. Only because, who in Gods name can clean the house when you have two toddlers at your feet fighting you for the vaccum?

Agreed. I've done it, too. Take my DD1 to daycare when I was off for the summer (maternity/school year leave) around 9-10 am and then pick her up at 3 after nap. During that time she'd play and I'd do errands and stuff with her newborn brother at home.

[*MamaJen*]

Take some days off and enjoy it. Good god, lady, you deserve it.

[MeepyCat]

Another vote for not selfish!

Plan special outings for a day or two if you feel up to it, drop her off late or pick her up early if you want (but don't feel bad if you don't), and then when you take her up to the cottage, it'll all seem new and magical to her and you'll be rested enough to have fun helping her explore.

[madskye]

Our old daycare was paid by the month with no break if you went on vacation so...I just took advantage of the flexibility of that week. I didn't feel like she had to do five full days there while I was on vacation, but I definitely used a couple of days to do me things and just enjoyed it.

[Halfasianmomma]

Originally Posted by nextcommercial

IAs long as the provider is getting paid, and they can reach you if they need to, they don't really care if you are working or getting your nails done. ETA.. We do care if you are on vacation, and still can't manage pickup before the daycare closes. We get really cranky when we have to work late when we know it isn't necessary.

Oh, my daycare is paid monthly and I'll be paying them for August even though DD won't be there for a week. And I'll be just as reachable during vacation as I would be while at work.

Thanks for all your input mamas. It really put my mind at ease!

[Ceinwen]

Originally Posted by texmati

do it, and don't feel guilty. If you want to, perhaps you could do something fun with her in the evenings, that you normally wouldn't get to because of the usual weekday rush.

Yup. My kids both go to daycare so I can recharge. As a fellow single mama, if I don't take care of myself - no one around here gets taken care of properly.

[Quinalla]

Don't feel guilty at all! We all need recharge time and you can always pick her up a bit earlier or take her in a bit later if you want

And the first time I took time off and left DD in daycare I felt guilty too and talked to my Dad about it and he said there is no reason for me to feel guilty. Everyone needs breaks and when you can get them, don't be afraid to take them!

[laurabfig]

Do not feel guilty! Do something great for yourself...and see what a better mom it makes you.
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[DCMama01]

I am jealous! I would LOVE to take off for 5 days and take her to daycare, I just don't have the leave!

[KSLaura]

Sounds like a good idea to me! The Friday waterpark idea also sounds good. That way you have time to yourself for 4 days and some special time together on friday!