mums and mums to be?

Question

how do you feel about leaving your baby in nursery?
do work commitments pressure you to return to work soon?
and would you take a drop in pay to stay with your child until they are 3yrs?

there are some real great mums out there

Answer 1

I don't believe in daycare/nursery especially in their infancy. I think those early years are the most important and I surely would never have a stranger raising my child and molding them into who they will grow up to be. I think the best thing to do is to be a stay at home mom until the child starts school. If that's not financially possible, have grandma's and aunt's and people like that switch watching the baby. At least you know and trust the people caring for them.

Answer 2

I leave my baby with a child minder as I have to work full time. When I was pregnant, I booked a nursery slot, but after I gave birth I realised that I wanted to keep her in a home environment, so I chose instead to place her with a child minder (we couldn't afford a nanny which would have been the best solution).

My daughter is so happy. She loves our child minder and she has so many friends to play with. Most days I drop her off and she goes running straight off to play with someone or get toys out! Of course I would much rather be at home with her, but as I can't I believe I've chosen the best option for all of us. She certainly seems a very rounded and happy little person.

I think that if you're in a position where you have no option but to go to work then you should think carefully about what your child's personality is like and what sort of situation they would best thrive in. Some people like nurseries, some (like me) prefer the closeness and home atmosphere of a child minder. You can always see if you can enter into a nanny share contract with someone if you'd like your child to be cared for in your home on a one-to-one basis if you can't afford a nanny on your own (this wasn't an option for us). There are so many options that really you can find something that suits both you and baby.

Answer 3

I had to put mine in daycare to work but not without doing a very good inspection of the nursery myself. I ask many questions, watched how they done with other kids and even interviewed the teachers. If you know that your child is being well cared for the separation won't be too bad. The break will be good for you and you will be refreshed when you pick the child up. But wait until he or she is a year old that way you don't miss any of the important milestones. If you can't wait and need the pay then take a disposable camera so the workers can take pictures of accomplishments.

Answer 4

As I was already qualified to work with children I became a reg childminder so that i was still working but at home have been there for my kids all the time while looking after other peoples children and yes I did send them to nursery when they were 3 because there are more actives for them to do there than you can offer at home I am still a childminder and my children are aged 12 (13 soon) and 10

Answer 5

My Youngest was in day care from 2 as I went to college. He Loved it. He is socially aware, is great at making friends, he speech problem improved greatly. He started school way ahead academically than kids that didn't go to nursery school. Find a good nursery and go back to work when you Need to. You will know when you walk in the door of a place if you would feel comfortable leaving your little one there. If it feels wrong find another and another. Only when you are sure s/he is happy will you be able to focus at work. We all miss our kids when we are working, they probably miss us a whole lot less, but s/he will be happy to see you at the end of the day.

Answer 6

I stayed home, but I didn't have some great career, either, so it wasn't a hard decision to make. I think it is a very individual choice that each mother has to make for herself. But, keep in mind...is that drop in pay worth losing time with your child for? The first three years are so priceless, afterall. If work is important to you or you really need the money, then maybe see if you can work part-time for those first three years. Good luck!

Answer 7

Sorry I am the old fashioned type, I think if you have a baby you should look after it yourself, you dont need two cars, you dont need foreign holidays, you dont need loads of new stuff, but your child does need its mother, I know things are expensive these days, and mortgages and everything costs a fortune, but with good budgeting and a bit of thrift, you can do it, I stayed home with my kids, when they were three or four I got an evening job part time, so their dad would look after them and put them to bed, they were never left with anyone else.
You will miss out on so much if you put your child into daycare, and you will be too tired after working a full time day to be any use as a mother, sorry but thems the facts.

Answer 8

IMHO, going back to work before the baby is a year old is just daft. That first year is unlike any other, they go through so many developmental changes, and I believe they need their parents around them. Also, how gutted would you be if you missed their first word or first steps?

I returned to study at 18 months old - IMHO the perfect time for her as she needed stimulation and social interaction that I couldn't provide at home. Before then, she was definitely not ready to go to daycare.

I also wonder why some people have children at all, if all they're gonna do is dump them in childcare as soon as they can?

Answer 9

i stopped working untill my daughter was 3, my hubby and i were lucky enough to be in the financial position were i could give up work , however not everyone is and sometimes needs must. but i would honestly go without (and i did) rather than miss out on all the bonding i had. when she reached 3 i felt more than ready to be in the workplace again and she needed nursery for social interaction. just do whatever feels right only you can decide because we all live in different circumstances.

Answer 10

as a day care worker i shouldnt feel like this but i think that a baby 12weeks old should not be in a nursery lots of them dont have the staff to give the love and comfort a baby needs but my son went to daycare when he was 2 i think its a good age for them. this is what i think and yes mothers are pushed into work to early when they have had a baby my sister in law has gone on the sick as she doesnt want to leave her 6month old in care but will lose her job if she doesnt