daycare blues

[Kaya's Mama]

Hey mamas. I dont think I have posted in this forum before but I belong here. I think Mom2Maddie knows me and maybe some of you remember Kaya and her pneumonia case last summer. In any case, I have been staying home with Kaya since she was born with odd jobs here and there. Right now I full time babysit a 18 mos old and Kaya comes with me. But the hours were killing me and not good for Kaya (50 hours a week in someone elses house and she is quite bored). Kaya will be three in April. I just gave my notice at my job. Now I have to figure out how many hours to work without making Kaya stay in day school to long. I think I am the one who will have a hard time. I cant let her go that long after having her with me all the time for the past 2 3/4 years. For those of you who use day care/ preschool how did your kids do adjusting-wise? I feel like my daughter has had it good since she was born and now she will not be the center of attention. Not that she is spoiled! But she is pretty attached to me.Any advice to make the transition go smoother??? Any BTDT

[happyday8598]

BEEN THERE!!

Owen was with me for 2 1/2 years, then I had to put him in daycare.

I chose to go to a home environment daycare. I thought it would be an easier adjustment for him...

AND IT WAS!

We had one caregiver, the first one, that he HATED! A year later, he STILL talks about what a "witch" she was (don't ask HOW he came up with that term for her! I JUST DON'T KNOW!)

After switching, he was as happy as can be! It gave him the opportunity to mingle with other wee ones his age.

It was hard for me at first (still is hard, but in other ways than initially). The transition for him was much smoother...

Maybe you can look into getting a job somewhere where they have onsight daycare? Or maybe be a caregiver out of your home?

I don't know what your living expenses are or how much space you have to do something like this, but daycare is costly! Something else to think about!

Good luck, lovely lady!

The next step in parenting is just about to begin! And it's SAD!

Love,
Emily