SAHM's - having to leave your DC in full-time care for a short period of time?

I have jury duty starting beginning of March. They say it will be about two weeks, but could be less if I'm dismissed, could be more if I'm on a trial. DC has never been in any kind of daycare environment. This summer I worked three days a week for two months as a favor to someone and DS stayed with my parents - no one but them has even ever put him in for a nap before!

I was trying to sort out a combination of grandparents, nanny and friends to watch him, but it's getting too confusing. I've found a local day care that will take him on a temporary basis, and the court pays the cost. I'm thinking this will be easier and there are pros - ie, getting DS ready for nursery school which he starts in September, having the consistency of being in the same place with the same carers for the duration, etc. But I'm really nervous too. I don't know how he'll react, if he'll behave!, if he'll eat, if he'll nap, etc, etc. I know I've just got to let go...!

Anyway, I'm just curious to hear opinions or if anyone has been in a similar situation. If so, how did your LO do? DS is 2.5

Thanks!

Re: SAHM's - having to leave your DC in full-time care for a short period of time?

I think he will probably really enjoy it. My advice would be to start him there one day a week or two mornings a week a few weeks before you are due to go to jury duty just to get him settled in. He might not be happy for the first few days just because its a new place, but he will probably be just fine. I am at home, but Immi goes to nursery 2 mornings a week, she loves it. I would send her two whole days if I could afford it. Good luck, it will all be fine!

Re: SAHM's - having to leave your DC in full-time care for a short period of time?

I had jury duty while I was pregnant and I recall someone was dismissed on the spot because they stated there was no one to care for her child and it would be a huge financial burden to put them in daycare.

Re: SAHM's - having to leave your DC in full-time care for a short period of time?

I just got a notice too. I plan to write a letter and ask to be excused. On the back of the notice there are directions on how to do this. I would not put my kids in daycare for jury duty JMO. GL

Re: SAHM's - having to leave your DC in full-time care for a short period of time?

Thanks everyone.

I should've mentioned - we live in London, so the system is different here. I've already deferred once, they won't let me do it again and full-time carer is not an excuse as they will give me a daily allowance of up to about $100 to pay for child care.

Rachel - I know settling in days are probably a good idea...I just don't think we can afford to/I can justify the cost. Especially if, in the end, it's only a few days because I'm excused. I'll have to talk to DH about it.

Re: SAHM's - having to leave your DC in full-time care for a short period of time?

If you're a SAHM why are you serving? I got called for jury duty and I wrote on the form that I am a SAHM and my DD's primary caretaker all day, every day and attached a copy of her birth certificate and that was it............never heard from them again and that was over 2 years ago! You don't have to serve as a SAHM because they cannot force you to find a daycare situation when you're technically the primary caretaker for your child.

Edit - Oops..........just saw your reply. NM what I said then.

Message edited 2/13/2012 9:10:45 AM.

Re: SAHM's - having to leave your DC in full-time care for a short period of time?

In NC, i had to serve, they did not care that i was a sahm.

they had an onsite childcare center...it was set up to watch jury kids and the criminal's kids.

even a note from my ped saying i was EBF did not help.

luckily, dh took off the day and i never got called back.

for you, try it. you have back up...but he might really love it and it is like pulling off the bandaid...just do it and see what happens

hugs!