I am very fortunate to be able to stay at home with our 2 year old daughter.
Now that I am pregnant with a high risk pregnancy I have a lot of doctor appointments.
So I thought about having our daughter go to daycare every other Tuesday.
Plus having her in daycare will allow me to get ready for another baby. And help her learn how to interact with other children.
But I am feeling very guilty for thinking this way.
I don’t know what to do – send her to daycare 2 times a month or just deal with bringing her appointments and hope she behaves at them?
The closest family member we have is about 45 minutes away. And I would have to drive her there and pick her up if I asked them.
I can just tell you from my experience i took my children with me to all my appointments as i also had no one to watch them. they did really well and were pretty excited. I always got them a treat afterwards or did something special afterwards. i also had been on and off beadrest for my second.
My boys are 2 yr and 2 weeks apart.
Do you have a friend you could trade care with
Lola,
I never had the issue having to take my children to the appointments with me because I have family always willing to take them, my problem was with my youngest daughter being with me all the time not wanting to stay at grandmas ect... I was terrified that when she started school it would be a big mess her doctor told me to put her in daycare 1 day a week to get her interacting with other children her age so that she was ready for school, it was the best decision I ever made. I felt soooooooo guilty because she would cry not to be left there, but the daycare assured me she quit crying as soon as I left within about a month she was asking when her "play day" was because she missed her friends. So I say go for it enjoy they time and remember that when you leave your daughter at daycare you are furthering her social education.
E.
Oh Lola~
Don't feel guilty! Your daughter needs some interaction with other kids. As your pregnancy progresses, you'll be so tired and needing to take even more time for yourself. You may find that you'll want to send her a day or two a week. Luckily, my daycare is a licensed family member, but I am grateful for the 2 days a week that my kids get to go play with friends. As long as you find a loving daycare, take advantage of it and don't let guilt be part of the equation!
~L.
Daycare. I've been there, done it. Daycare. No matter how good your little one is, there is no way they will stay happy and busy in a doctor's office that long with good "dr. office appropriate" behavior. One of my kids had to go with me to an ultrasound appt, and was trying to climb all over my belly, etc. It was awful! Save yourself the headache, it sounds like you have enough things to worry about as it is. There's no reason to add to it, and your daughter will probalby enjoy it!
I just want to jump in and agree with the other mom's. Daycare sounds like a GREAT thing! My kids (I have two ages 4 1/2 and 2 1/2) go once sometimes twice a week to a drop in center. They LOVE it and I get some much need time to myself! Sometimes I feel guilty sure, but the pros's far out weigh the guilt for me :) Good luck!
Definitely do not feel bad! If you have been a stay-at-home mom, first of all she has had all of your attention for two years! Secondly you deserve the break! and Thirdly, she will be better off for having spent the structured time in day-care of preschool when it's time to enter kindergarten. You might also consider leaving her there after baby comes. By putting her in now, she won't be as likely to associate it with the baby and it won't cause jealousy. A better decision all around, in my opinion.
Hi Lola,
I agree with Jenny, she may enjoy playing with new friends. It's only 2 days a month. If you go about it positively she probably will too. I brought my son to my doctors appt. but he was kind of shy at that age and he would just sit and color. I never had any problems. You know your daughter the best so if you think she will do fine at all the appt. bring her. If you think that she would have fun playing with other kids then drop her off. Either way, don't feel guilty. Good luck.
Chris
I think part of your guilt has to do with the fact that subconsciously feel like you are giving her up for the new baby. I know cause I have been there. I was pregnant with twins when my daughter was 2 and I felt so guilty leaving her anywhere when I had my appointments. 2 times a month is really not that bad at all. I don't think you should take her to dr appt with you. You also need some free time for yourself too even if it is just going to the dr. Good luck with whatever you decide!
I think if you bring it up as a positive experience with your daughter, she may be excited about daycare. If she senses that you are sad or guilty about it, she may associate it with a negative attitude. She may really enjoy meeting and playing with others!
