https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:11:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2260096 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:56:22 +0000 californiadreams 2260096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: one of my totally selfish bonuses of the part time preschool is that i will fully intend to do stars n strollers all year again ;) But because i am excited about that prospect also leads to more guilt. i can't win. I am sure L will love preschool and it will be great that you get alone time with C to do baby stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2260080 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:49:50 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2260080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: well L will be three soon and we're putting her in preschool. So I definitely see that point of view. Luckily part time preschool is fairly easy to find. Downtown part time daycare was impossible. And spending $24,000 on daycare when I'm home anyway seemed insane.</p> <p>I've really loved being home with these past seven months but I do miss the baby playgroups because no one wants your two year old stepping on their newborn. I'm looking forward to having some time to do that with C before the next baby comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2260075 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:42:18 +0000 californiadreams 2260075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: it's still good to hear :) and i think you have done an amazing job! it is stories like you and travelgirl1 and my other friend who said she kept them home that make me think i need to try too, lol. One difference i am seeing though is that a lot of people who say they kept their LO1 home also had an LO that was 2 years old. My LO1 will be 3 and 3 months and by then i really think it will be beneficial to have him preschool part time......perhaps my mommy guilt is more based on the past 2 years that i've been working full time when i wished i could have been home with him :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2260059 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:30:08 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2260059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You know our story but I'll put it out there anyway.</p> <p>DD1 was with a caregiver that was having a very difficult pregnancy towards the end of my pregnancy. The last few weeks they were together I felt terribly guilty knowing how sick my friend was and how hard it must be to watch my daughter. </p> <p>Fortunately #2 was due around the holidays so my schedule and DHs schedules were pretty flexible so we kept her home when we could. Sending her to a sick nanny wasn't a great plan and it didn't feel right starting her at a daycare right when she's already going through a big transition. </p> <p>We were fortunate to have a very easy sleepy baby. I actually got to spend more time with DD1 than I had been before my leave. I think this really benefitted her and she saw the baby as the vehicle to more mom time. The girls are wonderfully bonded and we've had an amazing transition. </p> <p>There were days when I've felt like she's been bored or not stimulated enough but I think overall we've done really well.<br /> Now that #3 is coming we are enrolling her in part time preschool in the fall. I think having two babies in the house will make it more difficult to entertain her appropriately and it'll be good for her to have friends and activities of her own that don't involve the babies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2260050 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:12:01 +0000 californiadreams 2260050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: oh right, i remember you told me about that one that wanted the whole year! crazy - i only pay month by month.</p> <p>@Pumuckl: picking LO1 up early is a good point. I feel guitly now a lot of the time because i feel the days are too long, but when i am home for a year, i can certainly drop him later in the morning and pick him up earlier. So instead of a 7:30am-5-5:30pm, a 7 - 8 hour day is what i would likely what i would do.</p> <p>@Rockies11: thanks for your perspective. Cost is definitely an issue and like i said, i can definitely pull him out at anytime we feel finances are getting too tight or it's not manageable. I have been thinking for a while that no matter what i decide, he will stay full time for the first month approx. or maybe the month of February as i am due Feb. 9th so i can get through those early newborn weeks. That may also depend on how much time DH takes off and if my mom comes down to help again the first month, in which case we can do part time from the beginning. I like your pro of being forced to learn. That's my argument for pulling him - i tell myself, tons of people take care of 2 kids, so why can't I? I can learn to manage!</p> <p>One thing I haven't thought of that PP mentioned i think is whether i even have the option to do part time! I assume I do, but I better check with the daycare...he just started a new one since we moved. His old daycare for sure said they take kids part time, but this is a smaller center (only the one preschool class with 8 kids), so i am not sure what their policy is! I hope I even have the option!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2260044 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 14:58:20 +0000 Rockies11 2260044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pulled my 2 year old as soon as I went on maternity leave. Our daycare was super expensive and she really likes being at home, so it was a no brainer. A lot of people I know keep their kids in full-time daycare for a few months, and then part time for the rest of the leave. </p> <p>The cons to taking her out was that I was too sick to take care of her at the end of the pregnancy, so that was a nightmare. then I had a bad birth/tough recovery so it was a hard adjustment. </p> <p>Pros were that I am just so glad to have thhe extra time with my oldest - we have so much fun every day. I also like that being with them full time means I am forced to learn how to do everything with 2 because I dont have another option.</p> <p>Cons- it was really hard to get adjusted at first. Really hard. My toddler is very needy and the baby was feeding a lot. We had to get out of the house a lot which was hard to do with pretty severe injuries from birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2260033 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 14:35:05 +0000 Pumuckl 2260033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: not from Canada but we have a year of parental leave here too. I kept my 21m old in daycare full time when his sister was born. I haven't regretted that decision at all since it keeps him in his familiar setting and I can still pick him up earlier if we feel like going for an outing. Especially in the early days I was glad I didn't have to worry about how to occupy him when nursing LO2 etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2260015 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 14:03:00 +0000 travelgirl1 2260015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: Pretty sure she will just be with me. Can't really swing the $, and there is nothing stroller accessible on the subway line that allows the minimum of two or three half days and pay monthly. Our ideal one wanted the whole year up front!!! She has lots of play dates and stimulation and is bright as a button, I don't think she will miss out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2260001 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 13:41:04 +0000 MsMini 2260001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS goes to daycare 1 full day per week (they have a full day preschool option) while I am on mat leave - when I go back to work he will enter the full time full day preschool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2259942 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:56:50 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2259942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stay home, but almost everyone I know who has their older one in day care keeps them in part time once number 2 arrives! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2259940 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:55:57 +0000 californiadreams 2259940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelingnanny: @sera_87: good point, i had thought about it but wasn't too worried as i would have a whole year to hopefully get him back on a list. but it would certainly be easier to not have to look at all.</p> <p>@Charm54: that's been pretty much my exact plan. Except i have the guilt in the back of mind a little bit! And after talking to a friend last week who kept her 2 year old for a year, she made it sound so easy and doable and that she found classes/activities for him to do everyday and she just brought the baby along. She made it sound so simple. </p> <p>DH thinks we should do part time since the preschool has many positives and he doesn't want me losing my mind so i dump both kids on him as soon he walks through the door every day, lol. I get what he's saying.</p> <p>@travelgirl1: Did you decide for sure if you are going to do any part time preschool this year for A?</p> <p>@Ellie: i have thought that too, that whatever i decide now can change later on.</p> <p>well, it didn't take much to sway me back ;) I think going with part time preschool is the way to go. And after a few months i can re-evaluate. I actually had another friend tell me yesterday to keep LO in daycare as much as possible, whatever i can afford lol. She said the days she had both kids were really hard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2259888 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:18:40 +0000 travelgirl1 2259888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As you know, A is not in daycare. But if she had been - speaking in my situation now with a 2.5 year old and newborn - I would have kept her in part time. It would be nice for her to have a space where she doesn't keep getting told to be quiet because she has woken the baby up every time I got him down. And as much as I am trying to dedicate lots of time to just her and do crafts etc, it is really hard and my newborn is a super chill -touch wood - baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2259881 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:12:59 +0000 Ellie 2259881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO will be 2.5 when my next one is born and I plan on keeping her in full time daycare. I don't think I'd feel very guilty about it - I get to give the baby my full attention and my my oldest will get what she deserves: a continuation of her routine, friends to play with and appropriate stimulation. Plus, I'm sure that she'd like some time away from the baby.</p> <p>I say keep us the daycare/preschool routine and see how it goes. You can always change your mind later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2259860 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:01:21 +0000 Charm54 2259860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Im keeping her in daycare but dropping her down to 3x a week. She loves going and I think it will be good for her to stay in a routine - plus I want to spend some alone time with this baby. 3x a week will be perfect because I will still get to spend a little bit of extra time with C. We've been home together all summer and are having a blast (I pulled her out bc I'm a teacher) but I know I won't be able to keep up all the fun activities we've done once baby comes (and winter!)</p> <p>I feel no mommy guilt because every other mom at my daycare has done the same thing when #2 came along! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2259856 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 11:59:07 +0000 sera_87 2259856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I kept him in full time daycare. He had enough upheaval and adjustment - daycare was a constant and familiar place for him. Plus I got to focus just on baby 2 which I felt was only fair since baby 1 got that from me too :wink: </p> <p>Other considerations:<br /> I couldn't afford to lose his spot.<br /> Baby2 more likely to have a spot there open after mat leave was over.<br /> Daycare is 100% in French and I am 90% English. I didn't want him losing his language skills when it's the best time for him to be learning it (age 2-3). (I realize that is highly specific to my situation but it was a consideration).</p> <p>Won't you lose your spot if you pull him completely ? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2259852 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 11:56:17 +0000 Peasinapod 2259852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister pulled her 2 year old out of daycare for the year, but did enrol her in preschool twice a week. She's also very good at structuring home time with crafts and classes so I think her 2 year old didn't get too bored.</p> <p>I however would lean towards leaving the older one in daycare. But this is because I'm not good at multitasking and would need all my attention for the new baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2259845 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 11:52:11 +0000 Freckles 2259845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO was 2.5 years old when LO2 was born. I kept her in daycare from December to May because there was no way I would be able to stay indoors with both kids during our cold winters. She has been at home with me from June and will start preK in September. </p> <p>While she initially loved staying at home, eventually she asked to visit daycare. Her preference probably would've been to go 2x a week but the daycare didn't have that option. </p> <p>LO2 only napped in the ergo so it was really stressful trying to get out for activities while trying to keep LO2 asleep. Life got easier after I nap trained him at 7.5 months. </p> <p>In your situation I would totally keep him in the preschool because it's part time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2259831 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 11:35:44 +0000 travelingnanny 2259831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would you lose your spot if you took you child out for a year? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/canadian-bees-with-1-year-off-did-you-keep-lo1-in-daycare#post-2259809 Mon, 10 Aug 2015 11:17:04 +0000 californiadreams 2259809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first LO will be 3 years and 3 months old by the time LO2 is born. He has been in full time daycare since he was 20 months (had a nanny full time from 12 to 20 months). So basically, he will have been in full time daycare for about a year and a half when baby gets here.</p> <p>My dilemma is when LO2 gets here, and i have a year off, my options are to keep him home with full time OR to keep him part time in daycare (it's actually preschool now since he turned 2.5). I would do 2 - 3 days a week in preschool to save money from full time and more importantly because i do want to spend extra time with him. </p> <p>Pros of part time:<br /> - he would get to continue with what he knows, his friends/teachers/routine/activities part time<br /> - I don't know how good I would be at providing the same kind of activities/structure when i am also home with an infant (and even without a baby to be honest)<br /> - I would have some alone time with baby, which I cherished with him when he was a baby.</p> <p>Cons<br /> - I feel torn a little due to mommy guilt that i won't be keeping him home full time - but then i am afraid i will resort to having him watch more TV when i need to nurse or get baby to sleep etc<br /> - cost (but we can manage between my job benefits and EI, and if it came down to really not being able to afford it, well then i could pull him out if i had to when needed - for example, i will make less money in the second half of the year when my job no longer tops up my EI)</p> <p>Other things to note:<br /> - I plan to go only back to work part time after the year off, so if we did part time during my leave, it would just continue that way when i went back to work.<br /> - Yesterday I asked him what he wants to do when i am home and he said he wants to go to preschool! I am not sure he totally understood what i was asking, but he does love his new preschool so far.</p> <p>What did other people do in this situation (if you had a year off approx) and what were the pros/cons? </p>