Daycare Fear

My son went to daycare at a young age, awesome private place but a center at the very least. He did this while I went to school, did some homework and worked out. Really, it helped our relationship, I had free time and got to relaxe and the teachers were so very supportive of me and my family. He is a single child, so he got the child interaction (when any other time he is around adults 110%) and it was great for him. I really don't see anything wronge with two days a week for some time. Especially if it helps you to be able to deal with home life in a less stressful way. Better for mommy is better for the whole family! Best of Luck!

Maybe you are so anxious about it because you really don't want to do it. Maybe you just need to get a babysitter (someone you know well) at your house a few hours a week and then adjust your work schedule.

I don't know exactly where you are from but in Ohio they have a website for Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which is who liscenses centers. There is a tiered system. A three star center is the best with low ratios and educated care givers. A one star is good also but they are slightly higher ratios and have educated care givers but it might be an associates degree instead of a bachelors. When you go to look for centers take a list of questions with you and voice your concerns. if you have the flexibility with your job to visit the centers you like the most for more than a fifteen minute walk through then ask them if you can do that. ASk the center also if you can have a copy of their parent roster so that you can call the parents to see what their opinion of the center is. I've been in the field for nine years and there are some very quality centers out there. Last but not least before you go pray about it. If you have a bad feeling about the centers you visit then listen to that. Happy hunting!

It is hard, and you both may cry in the beginning, (I know I did), but it really is the best thing if you need a break and if you cannot get your work done. Just get good recommendations, and go in and meet with the child care workers before starting. I'm sure you can take your baby in and sit there for a little while to see their routine and get a feel for the place. Also, your baby will get used to the day care, instead of just dropping him/her off at a strange place.

I have always worked full time, so my girls were both in daycare from infancy. My own mom was a SAHM, so I absolutely hated the idea of daycare...but had no choice.

My girls are now 8 and 5, and I have nothing but good things to say about our daycare experience. The teachers have become an extension of our family, and my girls were more than prepared for school.

My only advice to you is to take time to find the right daycare center. You will know it when you see it -- it'll just feel right. I also recommend a book called "How to Find the Best Quality Child Care" by Michael J Matthews. It really helped me know what to look for. I have loaned the book to other moms, and they all loved it too.

The good news is that your 5-month-old is probably too young for separation anxiety. Get him/her settled into a center as soon as possible because it will only get more heartbreaking as he/she gets older and starts to cry when you leave. Even then, rest assured that your little one will be just fine as soon as you're out of sight.

Good luck!

Maybe there is a small center in your neighborhood run by a SAHM who would give your child the individual care you want and a better rate. Without having to put your kids in traditional daycare.

In your situation I think the best thing to do is pray... Jesus I pray that you would speak to Beths heart about what day care to use for her child. I pray that you would guide her to the right day care. The day care that will take great and excellent care of her child. I pray Lord that you would give her peace. I pray that you would help her not to worry. For GOd did not give me a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. I thank you Jesus for hearing my prayer. In Jesus name I pray amen.....

My little girl, who is 8 months old, has been in daycare since she was 10 weeks old. She does great there. The ladies who work there love her and they take excellent care of her. She is thriving in this situation and I am very happy that I have somewhere to take her. I have a lot of friends who have nannies or stay at home and they are constantly having problems with them not showing up or being late and I never have that concern because daycare is always open! I think daycare is a great choice because the kids learn from one another and they learn early on that you have to wait your turn in life and that you have to interact with others in the big world outside of home. I wouldn't be worried at all. Just make sure to do your research and choose a daycare with qualified people who have been taking care of children for a long time! Good Luck!

Have you considered hiring an individual to either come to your house or a home care provider you can take them to? At that age, it will take a little longer to adjust then for say, a newborn (6 weeks). I worked in an infant room at a day care for several years and it will take time for your baby to adjust. An in-home care provider might be a little less overwhelming. The home-care style will be more similar to what your baby is used to versus the institutional style of a daycare. If you're in the Cincinnati area there is a group called 4C ( or CCCC) that offers referrals to Family/home care providers. Also, I don't know if you've looked into it or not, but a lot of daycares don't do part-time for infants (it's not cost effective because of low student/teacher ratios and such) Many don't offer part-time rates until they are at least 2. Good luck and I hope this advice helps.

if you have researched the daycare center and chosen the one you think is best, then you and your baby will be fine. you can take ease in knowing that you have good people taking care of your baby. the thing is, it's not easy leaving your baby at that age and all mom's know that no one is going to love or care for their babies and children in the same way or even to the extent that they themselves will.
other moms have talked about the benefits of day care - pre-/school preparation, social skills, etc. but i think also this teaches your baby (at least in the long run) that even if you leave him/her, you will come back later, not leaving him/her to feel abandoned.
although it's tough right now (and it is more difficult for the mom) you will come to appreciate it later - like around two or three years old when they want to follow you, hang on your leg, make messes, only want to talk when you're on the phone, etc :) you'll come to love "me time" after you lose the fear - which i think only comes with time.
also, as long as you see your baby (especially when they are a bit older) stay happy and have good/fun behaviors, you'll know it's just fine.
good luck - just make sure you give plenty of hugs and kisses before you leave your baby which is good for the baby AND for you :)

I use to work in a daycare and I have no horror stories, other then what the moms put themselves through. The kids usually cry only until mom lesves the room, and the moms were a wreck for most of the day. Believe me, it is really true.
The kids have many benefits from attending daycare. They are ready for school and preschool earlier, they know how to build relationships with other children better. Daycare is actually really good for children, as long as you did your research in picking the daycare. It is also good for you to get a break, it makes the time you get to spend with your child more special and more relaxed.
I hope this helps.

I comletely understand how hard it is. I have gone through it myself. I started very slowly...only leaving her for one hour at first. I didn't have time to accomplish much, I drove around and cried. However, she loves her daycare and her teachers and friends. Every now and then she cries when I go to leave, but I pause outside of the door where she cannot see me and she stops crying within a minute. When I pick her up, she is always happily playing. I agree that it is MUCH harder on a mom than on the baby and there are definite advantages. I do still call on some days to check on her and see how her day is going. The teachers should be receptive to that and never mind you calling.

Spend some time playing with her at the day care to get both of you acclimated. I wish you the best of luck and know that it does get better when you see your child thriving!!

Good luck,
K.

I know it is hard to leave your little ones but as a provider, I see the benefits! They are "prepared" for school by not only realizing that they have to listen to people in charge other than mom and dad during the day but the also get the needed interaction with peers. My advice to "check up" on the daycare is to make unannounced visits that way you can see exactly what is going on when you are not there but keep in mind too that the provider/daycare has a routine that may differ from what you are used to. They will definitely enjoy playing and interacting with new faces. One other plus is there will be more people to love your child and it is the best feeling in the world to know your children are truly loved by others. Enjoy the time you have to yourself...your 5mth old is going to be just fine!