I’m a SAHM, don’t currently work and am considering putting my 14 mo old in preschool 2 (4 hr) days per week. I struggle with guilt about it too. However, there will be benefits for both of us. He will get to socialize with kids his age and learn to mind other grown ups. I will get 8 hrs a wk to do housework uninterrupted, go to appointments alone, get groceries and maybe occassionally have a coffee date with a friend. I’m still home with him the vast majority of the time PLUS I’m less stressed= win/win for both of us.

What about having a babysitter, just like the comment of of Cindy!!! still close to you but you getting things done, theres is always some in need of work that loves babies and that could help you out!!! Good luck!!!

There is nothing wrong with asking for help. I am a work out of the home mom and my son has been in daycare since 4 months. And we all live. In fact, we all thrive. My work is fun and satisfying and he has interactions with babies his own age and with grown ups that he isn’t related to! There is this pressure to be wonder woman brought on by all the wonderful mommy bloggers who make it looks so effortless. I appreciate your honesty! There is no harm in revealing the (wo)man behind the curtain. I would rather be great at a couple of things (being a mommy, a wife & my job) than just ok at a lot of things, so I get help in the form of daycare and I feel no guilt.

Agree with the others! After my first daughter was born 2 years ago, I negotiated with my company to work out of the home. We have a full time nanny who has a daughter a bit older than mine. She is at our house ~50% of the time and out (her house or the park/zoo/etc) the other half. Even though I’m still working full time, I calculated that I get probably 2 hours or more per day of quality time with my daughter (I don’t have to drive to daycare or to the office, get fully ready in the mornings, etc). Also, I can take play breaks, and make up any additional work at night. Not to mention I’d rather work through lunch and end my day a bit earlier. There are ups and downs to my nanny bringing her daughter, but primarily positives… they both have a playmate, I pay less per hour, and my daughter has advanced so quickly (especially verbally) from having another, 1 year older, child around. Now with #2 due any day, I’ll be able to actually nurse during my workday instead of pumping (at least some of the time).

One thing to keep in mind, the downside is as they get older, there are stages where they will be perfectly fine until they see ‘mommy’ and then if mommy leaves, the tears ensue. So you end up trying to avoid any quick trips to the bathroom or kitchen when you don’t have time to stay a play for a bit.

Good luck to you!

I loathed the idea of daycare initially but now? Such a blessing! I work from home on Fridays and it’s been awesome. I love having that time with her and it makes M-Th bearable. Maya is thriving at daycare and ours is pretty amazing–I’d want to be a kid and go there! And the webcam doesn’t hurt! :) I hope LB loves his first foray into daycare … I bet he totally will dig it!