Daycare..................and mother-in-laws........?

Question

I work and my husband works and we send our kids to this great daycare. They teach them sign language, letters, numbers, colors, etc. They have thrived so much. (age 15 months and 29 months). I love that daycare. We have had some biting issues, but it is under control. The problem is I have my husband and his mother lecturing me on how I should take my kids out and send them to a cheaper daycare because it would save us 60.00 a week. But, the daycare they want to send them to doesn't teach sign language and have lessons throughout the day. It is just a big play place. I love that my kids are in an athome daycare where there are less kids. How can I explain to them? As the mother of these children, I should be the one making the decisions, right????

Answer 1

You are the mother, you make the decisions. Period.

Answer 2

Your husband and you are the parents of the children. The two of you together should be making these decisions. Your mother-in-law, even though she is entitled to her opinion, should not have a say in the decisions that your husband and you, as a couple, as parents, make regarding your children. The very best gift you can give to your children is to work hard on keeping your marriage strong and remain connected to each other. It sounds like your relationship with your husband may need a little re-focusing. Work this out with your husband, just the 2 of you. If he can't stop bringing his mother into the mix, perhaps some professional counseling would be helpful. I would venture to guess that where your children go to daycare is not at the heart of the issue as much as there are some control issues to be resolved for the sake of your children. In my opinion, you and your husband should always be the "we" when it comes to decisions and it should be "our" and not "my" when it comes to the children.

Answer 3

Leave the kids where they are at this great daycare. There will be far worse issues if you move them. They are happy & secure with their teachers and playmates in their enviroment they are in. If you uproot them and place them in a different centre - they may not thrive as much and wonder where Miss "teacher" is. They may only be 15 months and 29 months, but they are sponges and learning fast. They understand things even if they cannot verbalize it.

learning all those things in pre-school/daycare is a beginning to ready them for kindergarten. (true they are still young, but once they get to that stage, they will be absolutely thriving)

If it means saving $60, then why not try to save that money elsewhere? Your children's happiness is worth more that saving $60.

Answer 4

I can see both sides of this issue. 60.00 a week extra does not seem like much when you first look at it, but that is really 240.00 extra a month. That is quite a bit. A middle ground could be you putting them in the cheaper daycare, and then maybe you and your husband could get a video teaching sign language. Learn it, and teach your children. Everybody wins!!

Answer 5

I am wondering if your husband was maybe completely persuaded by his mother about this money you are paying as being a waste.

I believe that the decisions about your children belong to you and your husband, and not your in-laws or even your own parents if you did not ask for their opinion.

$60 a week is quite a bit of savings at the end of the month, BUT, if you are able to afford it, then this early learning for your children is priceless and should be to your husband as well.

sit down with your husband and have a heart to heart with him and show him that you both are able to afford it and that it is a wonderful thing that they are getting all of this knowlege.

Answer 6

I sent my kids to a cheap daycare that didn't teach anything. Little did I know that Kindergarten is no longer for play. They were expected to learn to read and do simple math social studies and science. They are still struggling now in 2nd & 3rd grade. Even if you move them back later, they'll be behind in daycare. Little did I realize that kids are expected to learn 10 times as much as they were 25 years ago.

Answer 7

If you and your husband are happy with the daycare, why change it? Yes saving a little money every week would be great but why compromise the care of your children just for a little extra change each week. It isn't worth it.

Answer 8

I agree with you. If there is a learning benefit at the place they are at now, then leave them there...that's what the extra cost is for. Cheaper is not always better. If the $60 a week isn't breaking the bank, then why not spend it on the kids, think of it as an investment in their education and/or furutre.

Answer 9

i think that it should be something that you and your husband agrees upon, however, having them in daycare that teaches is worth the $60.00 extra. Stand your ground and let them know that this is only going to help them thrive through out childhood and through out school. Good Luck!

Answer 10

Yes, you and your husband should make the decision. If you can afford it do it. Only you know what is going to make your children happy. Give them the best you can. If it is working why change?? Then the kids have to learn a whole new set of rules and get to know new care takers that may not have the time to dedicate to your children.......could cause more stress than it would be worth..........good luck. Dealing with inlaws can be difficult.

Answer 11

ABSOLUTELY! My son is in a similar daycare center. He is so smart, and is just thriving. I wouldn't take him out for anything. 60 dollars a week isn't worth your children's future. Sounds like they are being very well taken care of, and loved. Don't move them if you don't want to. Tell your mother in law to mind her own business. And tell your husband that he can take the 60 dollars and shove it, because your children are more important!