Anyone go back to full time with an 18 month old?

[April Dawn]

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Edited by April Dawn - 7/4/11 at 6:24am

[Gator-mom]

I went back to school full-time when my ds was a little younger than that. It is not quite as much time as a full time job, but pretty close. I put him in a home daycare that I really trusted and I know he loved (because he never wanted to stop playing there!) I feel like it was a good time. I had my time with him the first year and a half and he was starting to be able to play on his own by then so I could get stuff done. We still had lots of cuddle time in the evenings and at night as he co-slept with us until he was over 2 years old.

So that's just my two cents

[Triniity]

I went back fulltime when my ds was pretty exactly 18 month old. He adjusted just fine. I worked parttime since he was 12 month, and he started daycare than.
We have a daycare center with after hour care, and all the kids are in one group than with different carers, so he had to adjust to the new people, but it really took only a couple of days. He has his big sis with him, though. (but not in the normal daycare group)

I think it was so the right decision. I used to work parttime when dd was small, and I hated it. I kind of missed all the important stuff, was not treated like a full member of the team and was constantly stressed. It is much better now.
I get the full benefits, I am able to build my retirement plan and I feel like a complete person. My kids are totally used to it and I guess they are quite happy.

I think every child and every family is different. You´ll have to find your own way. But how do you feel about the decision? Do you feel excited if you think about the interview and the job? Would you be sad if you would not get it? visualize and feel how you feel in these situations.
Hope that helps!

[mystiquesmom]

I went from part time to full time with DS#1 at 18 months. He was being watched by my parents when I was part time and switched over to a daycare centre when I went full time. I honestly think it was way harder on me than him. He would cry for a few minutes after I left, but the longest stretch was 5 minutes, and that was in the first week and stopped crying altogether after the 2nd week. He fell in love with one of his teachers, so that helped alot and I did a lot of searching for a wonderful daycare.

Each family and child/ren are different, so I can't say if it's the right decision for everyone. For us, it was perfect. My parents were 30 minutes away in an opposite direction from work and home, and I had to go on their schedule, so it was tough on H and I. The daycare was close to home and a lot more flexible for us. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Louisep]

I went back 30 hours per week when DS was 16 months and now at 19 months am upping my hours to 37 hours per week. It has been great! I am so glad to be working again. The shift up to 37 hours is a little painful, but I've negotiated 2 mornings at home per week and that's helping. The 30 hours per week was really ideal though. I worked 12-6 5 days per week, so I had the mornings to hang out with DS.

[April Dawn]

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Edited by April Dawn - 7/5/11 at 10:58pm