Is there any truth to this or am i just trying to make myself feel better?

[squeakermansmom]

Tommorrow is the first day for ds to be with the sitter and of course i'm worried, sad, anxious and even a little hopeful. I'm hopeful because as much as i hate to leave him and wouldn't if i didn't have to work to pay the bills, a small part of me thinks ds might actually benefit in some small way by being in this new situation. He will be watched by a woman that's very AP and has 2 young girls of her own (ages 2 and 4). My ds is 12 months and thus far really hasn't been around other children on a regular basis. my hope is that he will enjoy being with other children and in this new environment. honestly, sometimes i think he gets a little bored hanging out with just mom, playing with the same old toys, in the same old house all the time. he will only be going to her house 1-2x/wk for about 3 hours each time (the rest of the time my husband watches him - i'm working 3 days/wk). what do you think? do you think any of your children are benefiting from the environment they're in when your not there? or have i just concocted this crazy idea in my head to help ease the guilt i feel by leaving him?

jodi

[somemama]

Sounds like you're doing fine, mama! :)

[LiamnEmma]

I know exactly what you mean! I also felt this way for a period of time, right around the time ds was one year old. I no longer feel this way, but I know one of my SIL's does and I do believe that with the right situation, daycare environments can be beneifical and wonderful experiences for kids. Certainly not all, but it sounds like you've found a great one for you and your baby (he'll always be that, right? ;)). I hope it goes really well for you all! :)

[Liz]

Yes, I know that my DS (almost 3) benefits from being with the other children and in the other environments with his wonderful babysitter. And I'm not just making it up! I encourage her to provide as much variety as possible and I try to do the same when he is with me. I could not provide this amount of variety if he were home all day with me.

[Elphaba]

i don't know if i am supposed to be posting here since i don't work outside the home, but i think it will be good for your son to be around other people, adults and kids. i started shoshanna in a children's day out program about a month ago. she goes 2x a week for about 3 hours, and she is doing great. she is around other toddlers and is accepting comfort from the 2 women there, so i feel really good about it.

it was scary as hell that first time though! but we've both adjusted and i think it is good to get a break from each other and just be around new people!

[Lucky Charm]

You are not concocting anything!! i think your child will be fine, and will enjoy being around other kids and a new enviorment. I know several SAHM's who do like shoshies mama does..."mothers day out" programs, or use a mommys helper to run errands, whatever. i dont think a few hours a week is necessarily unique to just wohm/wahm.

i find that a child experience and excitement and enjoyment of any new situation is directly related to how the parents feel....their enthusiasm, kwim? if you are stressed crying and uncomfortable, then chances are your child will be to. However, my youngest has been with me or my husband 24/7 since birth (he just turned 5) and stutters if he is away from us, so we arent! ( i work on hubby's day off). he is doing nicely now at morning preschool 3 times a week. who knew?! my other two were "fine". sheesh!

hugs to all mamas!

[squeakermansmom]

thanks for your responses - i'm feeling better already. it makes me feel better that stay at home moms do this too. all went well today - he apparently had fun! now if only i weren't so tired when i get home.........

[hulamama]

Here is a little story to make you feel better. We drop dd at daycare at 6:45 am--she is often too sleepy to be aware of this at all. Some mornings she squawks a little, one week of teething and she cried--but otherwise, just ok it seemed. Well last year, on the last day of daycare (we teach and the daycare is just for school employees--so we have "last days" before the summer)....I was going into the classroom to pack up and so I brought dd late--so she was wide awake. Well, when I opened the door and she could hear the kids and the ladies, she started to jiggle and laugh and get excited. She could hardly wait for me to sign in. She was 11 mos. old that day...and whenever I feel like questioning myself or worry that I am doing the right thing by her---I think of that day and how she felt in my arms--all excited and happy--and I rest easier. I know I would rather be with her all day, but I know she loves her daycare and enjoys being there. And that makes me feel a little better. Hope all goes well.

[Chelly2003]

My son has been in day care since he was about 18 months, and he loves it, he goes all day Monday - Friday.

I honestly couldn't do all the things with him that they do, and I'm happy he's getting to meet new people etc.... he even goes to gymnastics now - well the gymnastics teacher goes to the day care once a week.

I think it can be good for both mommy and child if its a good loving set up.

Chelly

[EFmom]

My daughters definately benefit from their daycare environments. They do things there that they wouldn't do if I were home with them all day. DH is a teacher and they are home with him during school vacations. By the end of the week they will sometimes want to go back to daycare to play with their friends.