Moms of toddlers in daycare

Please tell me what you love about it, and how you nake yourself not feel guilty about going to work. I might have a great opportunity close to home and have a great facility in mind for Jenna. On the plus I feell she would get a great deal out of it, and on the negative I guess I feel no one will care for her like I do

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

Well, Noah has been going to daycare for about 9 months now and the thing that keeps me going is that I know he loves it there, when I drop him off in the morning he is so excited to run into that room and play with the toys and the other kids. When I go to pick him up, he is happy and runs towards us with a big smile on his face. The facility that he is in is really homey, its not like a classroom, its warm and friendly and the girls who look after him shower him with hugs and affection. I can clearly see that he is being taken care of really well. The woman who runs our facility is conscientious and always rings me with questions and/or any concerns that she has. Also, you are right, she will get a great deal out of it, the first day Noah came home he could eat with a spoon...I found that amazing.

You have to find a good facility, thats the key. You have to feel good about where she is going to go. I wish I could be home with him everyday, but I can't right now, with the next baby I am going to do the SAHM thing, but for me, it works and I am happy!
Good luck!

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

Of course no one will care for her like you do - you are her Mommy and no one can ever take your place...and you wouldn't want them to.

But that doesn't mean no one else CAN care for her very well.

What I love about daycare:

-Jake has friends there, he is being socialized, he is learning to share, to play nice with others, etc

-they do tons of things with them - arts & crafts, gross motor skill development exercises, field trips, etc

-he is learning SO much...

-I'm getting help with potty training

How I make myself not feel guilty about going to work? Geez...where do I start! Well, I know that I'm working to provide my child with a roof over his head and food to eat. If I didn't work, he wouldn't have those things. Financial stability which makes for a happy family; I am a better Mommy to Jake because I work. I could go on and on...

Of course there are days you feel guilty... there will always be days like that.

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

What I love about Bella's daycare now is that is is run like a school at this age. They have gym, music, painting, and learn their ABC's, colors, etc. Bella is also socially advanced because of it. She is comfortable playing with others and has actually formed friendships with a bunch of the kids that she has been with since she is 4 months old.

When I left yesterday they were paiting halloween stuff and the teacher was explaining every shape and object. Bella barely looked up after rollin gup her sleeves and diving in.

It is a wonderful thing

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

Thanks ladies, I really do feel like she will get alot out of it, the facility is new, has excellent programs, and someone I know works there . She goes to pre-school once a week right now and I can see the positive changes in her. She runs right into the class and the teacher says she is great. When I pick her she runs to me says hi mom and shows me her project for the day.

The job will be an amzaing opportunity for me and so close to home (3 miles) if I am lucky enough to nail it.

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

DS is in pre-k, and was in pre-school before. I think anytime a DC can be in a group environment, it helps with their socialization skill, which are very important in life. He is learning to share, wait his turn, interact with others, etc. Plus, they get used to listening to other adults.

Sounds like a good opportunity. Hope it works out!

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

The benefits for me are:

Its just like school- DS has learned so much since being there, and Im truely so impressed.

Ryan went there talking minimally, since then his vocabulary has exploded. In addition he knows his colors, numbers- he writes with a pencil (ok he scribbles but he does hold the pencil the correct way) he sits for group activity, and he interacts w/ children beautifully (PrincessP can vouch for that)

Im so impressed with how much he learns, and how he is genuinely interested in learning. I watch him, as he sits and literally absorbs every piece of information. He is thriving on academics!

Honestly i think about it and long term he is gonna be in school (I mean even if I was home he'd be in pre-k next year)anyway, why not start the ball rolling a little earlier on???

Sometimes I miss being home with him, however everytime I second guess myself Rj comes home telling me about the new "thing" he learned- it erases any doubts.

Its a bit easier for me since Im down the hall, but even if I wasnt- His experience thus far has been so positive, I truely feel Im benefiting mu child w/ all that he is learning.

Message edited 10/13/2007 6:33:48 AM.

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

Amber's vocabulary has increased dramatically since she's been enrolled in daycare. Her social skills have also improved. She comes home excited to share what she's learned for the day and sometimes surprises me with her new "knowledge". I feel right now it's her one constant and she really looks forward to going and loves her teachers (and they fawn all over her). She's made so many new little friends and actually talks about them with me after school. Plus a little peer pressure doesn't hurt with the whole potty training experience (we have been having issues with that ). Her location is here on site, so I can sneak in and see her during the day. It definitely puts both our minds at ease as we transition into a new life.

Good luck

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

No one will care for your baby like you do! But the teachers at Ryan's school (1 in particular who was with him since 11 wks) really do love him - I've seen them give him kisses etc. and I know they can soothe him if he gets upset.

He is learning so much there, how to drink from a sippy, walk/talk and is so incredibly social as a result of being there. My working allows for us to give him more in his life, and provides us more financial security and that's how I justify it. If I stayed at home we would be scrimping and not able to save for his or our futures and that is not the life we want for our family. Also I have alot of flexibility w/my job so I can go to his daycare halloween party, for example, or work from home when needed if he is sick. It is not easy, but I make it work

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

All the things that Sandra and Kelly said are the same for me. Nate had a speech delay and this new daycare has really helped him. There's a structured but flexible curriculum. I know it's working bc his vocabulary has expanded, he knows his ABCs and colors, learning his shapes and plays well with other kids.

It's tough, but I really enjoy working and I know he's being taken care of.

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

DS will be starting daycare in 2 weeks. I am really sad because I dont feel like anyone will care for him like I do. But I have to work to pay bills and provide him with a future.

I try to think that daycare will help him grow intellectually and socially....like the other moms say.

Re: Moms of toddlers in daycare

never felt guilty at all. DD thrives in daycare- we have an amazing facility that has tons of great programs- signing fingers, many music programs, cooking. it's so great! she does more activities with them than she would ever do with me at home! the care they give her isn't as personalized as it would be with me, of course, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. i also love my job and am good at it, so i enjoy going to work every day, even though it can be stressful at times. i also have many weeks off during the year, plus summers off, so we do spend a lot of time together.

i think if you feel confident with your daycare provider and enjoy your job, it makes it much easier. there will be an adjustment period but it can be fantastic for kids.

ETA: I'm always amazed when she comes home doing something new- today i told her to "smile" and she gave me this huge toothy grin! it was picture day at daycare & they must have been practicing all week!

Message edited 10/12/2007 9:35:58 PM.