https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 20:30:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255950 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 19:50:20 +0000 matador84 2255950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Left him in daycare. I was driving and doing drop offs pickups when she was about 6 days old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255826 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 16:21:28 +0000 plantains 2255826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am due at the end of next month and L is just over 3 now. She just transitioned from daycare to full day preschool (same company, different building). She is loving it so far and even though the cost is astronomical (north of 2k) I am going to leave her there full time. </p> <p>My mat leave is 6 months long, but I am having a C-section so I could definitely do with fitting in some rest. Plus, this is my only chance to have the kind of one on one time I had with DD and not feel pressured to trek to the playground with her in the middle of winter!</p> <p>Her preschool is 3 blocks from my house so I will do drop and pick up off with LO2 either in stroller or carrier. DH will probably do both in the first couple of weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255816 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 16:11:03 +0000 mamabolt 2255816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will keep LO1 enrolled FT but probably pick up earlier and do a few special days home depending on how things are with LO2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255814 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 16:09:14 +0000 AmandaB8 2255814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD will stay in daycare. It's within walking distance, so on nice days I'll probably walk down to get her a little early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255812 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 16:07:46 +0000 Amelieisme 2255812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I reduced LO1 to part-time daycare (3 days instead of 5). DH still did drop off and pickup as he usually does. It was great! Got to spend some extra time with LO1 and it broke up the week for me (I get a little bored with a newborn). That being said LO2 was a good baby who slept a lot which made it all doable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255758 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 15:17:26 +0000 birdofafeather 2255758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD only does 2 full days a week of preschool now, but she will absolutely stay in that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255752 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 15:13:24 +0000 Anagram 2255752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daycare is actually fine with me taking LO 1 out while I'm out on mat leave, so DH and I couldn't justify the cost of keeping her in (plus, she goes near my work and I'm obviously not commuting while I'm on Mat leave).</p> <p>If childcare were less expensive, or closer to home, I would probably keep her in full time.</p> <p>As it is, I found a pre-school close to home and got LO 1 enrolled in a 2-day-a-week program but even that is pretty $$$$, so it's not fun trying to swing that payment while on unpaid leave, but I think she needs the stimulation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255749 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 15:12:37 +0000 Charm54 2255749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a year mat leave so I am dropping DD down to part time (3x a week). I think it's good for her to keep somewhat of a routine, plus she loves daycare. I also want some one on one time with this baby. I think 3x a week is perfect for us. If I had a shorter mat leave though I would leave her in full time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255738 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 15:05:08 +0000 mauxie 2255738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO1 stayed enrolled in daycare when LO2 was born. Once in a while, she stayed home, but I think overall she enjoyed her usual routine and seeing her friends. Once cleared to drive, I picked her up early on occasion, but always after nap time haha. DH always did drop offs since it's by his work. DH was home for 1 month and I was on leave for 4 months.</p> <p>When LO3 is born, our director will allow us to do part time daycare for a portion of my maternity leave for LO1 and LO2. We expressed to her that paying for full time care for 2 while not working is difficult, so they made an exception. I think it was reasonable since they don't even give any sibling discounts. </p> <p>Our daycare has a very long wait list and is corporate run so if a student de-enrolls, an opening is flagged in the system to bring on a new child. You have to pay to keep your spot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255730 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 15:00:38 +0000 Adira 2255730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lovehoneybee: Definitely keep sending him and don't let anyone try to guilt you! You're doing the best thing for everyone involved! It's good for your older LO to continue in his routine which he LOVES and it's good for you and the baby to get some alone time to bond! Absolutely nothing wrong with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255724 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:56:21 +0000 lovehoneybee 2255724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Yep. We'd have to pay to hold his place there, and if we took him out there'd be no guarantee his spot wouldn't be filled. And he LOVES it and thrives there, and he's at an age where he would definitely not be okay with it, lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255715 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:51:58 +0000 Corduroy 2255715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Let go of that guilt, mama. I'm 7 weeks post partum and LO is 2.5 years old going to daycare full time. After me and DH the daycare providers and classmates are the closest people in her life. I can't be present for her like I have been in the past so I'm really glad they can be. She gets love, attention, activity, and routine in a time that her little world is dramatically changing. </p> <p>Since LO2 is still waking up many times at night DH is doing wakeup and dropoff while baby and I sleep in. I do pick up. I walk with LO2 in a K'tan and bring LO1's stroller. We often go to a park after pick up because I find it's easier to watch LO there rather than at home. I have the kids alone together for about two hours before DH gets home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255711 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:49:55 +0000 NeekieRose 2255711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took DD1 out of daycare while on leave. Would have maybe been different if we had to pay to keep her spot, but since we did not, it was an easy decision for us. It worked really well for us and I absolutely loved having DD1 home with me. She was 17-20 months, which is such a fun age. I don't know if I will ever have another 12 weeks to spend with both of my girls without working so it was important to me to take advantage of the time with both of them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255702 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:46:45 +0000 daniellemybelle 2255702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I SAH right now but I for sure want LO to be in preschool part-time before we have another baby. I think it's great for them to have something that is theirs and makes them a big kid, plus it is consistency when things at home are topsy turvy. You'll appreciate the one-on-one time with the baby too! I'd say leave her in if finances are not an issue. You can always keep her home when you want or even pick her up early on a regular basis. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255699 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:45:34 +0000 Rockies11 2255699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pulled mine out but I have a long leave. Even with long leaves here, lots of my friends leave them in daycare or leave them in daycare for at least a few months. It is very hard to take care of a newborn, toddler with a disrupted schedule, and heal from childbirth all at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255696 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:44:16 +0000 Mommy Finger 2255696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm currently on leave and DS1 is about 2.5. We took him down to part time in order to save some money. He goes MWF and I keep them both on TTh. I like spending more time with him and getting some alone time time with DS as well. But it is sometimes a struggle to keep them both entertained! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255695 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:42:53 +0000 californiadreams 2255695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i have a similar dilemma but i think it's different because i get a full year for mat leave. i think i will keep LO full time daycare for the first month, then i am debating between pulling him out completely or keeping him part time (2 - 3 days a week). I know people who have done both and I can't decide what will be best for us. After my mat leave, i only plan to go back to work part time, so if i go with the part time option, it would just continue, I wouldn't have to bump him back to full time.</p> <p>I think if I only got 6 weeks mat leave, i would definitely keep LO in daycare full time but perhaps keep him home once or twice or pick him up earlier to spend some extra time together. I also think some ppl in the US get 3-4 months in which I would at minimum keep him part time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255691 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:41:16 +0000 catlady 2255691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: If it helps to know, every daycare mom I know that has had a baby #2 recently has kept their LO #1 in daycare full time. There was only one mom who pulled her LO out, but she actually waited until after her maternity leave was over to do it (and then she decided to SAH with both kids). Ignore the snarky people! We're not there yet but I'm definitely planning for LO 1 to stay in daycare while I'm on maternity leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255683 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:37:05 +0000 Adira 2255683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: People would ask me if I was going to keep Xander home with me while I was on leave, but I just pointed out that I couldn't just take him out of daycare for 12 weeks and then put him back in, so I'd have to continue to pay for it full-time anyway. Plus Xander LOVES daycare, so it would be mean of me to pull him out just because I was home. Plus with feeding the new baby around the clock, I wouldn't have much time to devote to Xander anyway, so it would've been a disservice to him to keep him home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255678 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:35:28 +0000 Adira 2255678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Xander continued to go to daycare full-time while I was on leave with Logan. While my husband was on leave, he would do drop-offs and pick-ups, but once he went back to work, I often would pick up Xander with Logan in tow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255676 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:34:20 +0000 LuLu Mom 2255676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We left her in daycare, and DH did drop off/pick up. Once we established a somewhat routine (and got a little more sleep) I'd keep her home for a special day of fun. I knew she needed the interaction with the other kids and I needed her to be entertained while handling with a newborn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255672 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:33:47 +0000 Mrs D 2255672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: AMEN!</p> <p>@lovehoneybee: great idea - I have been worried about keeping her out of the parking lot with a car seat!</p> <p>@Mamaof2: Good idea having someone lined up to do drop offs/pick ups those first two weeks - I think I'll enlist a grandparent or two as well! And I agree - I know its whats best for her and me - I just hate the mommy shaming in our world these days! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255655 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:23:37 +0000 mkp17 2255655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lovehoneybee: that's a great idea! Never thought to ask them what they do to "manage" the kids!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255652 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:22:40 +0000 NovBaby1112 2255652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm planning on keeping LO in daycare 4-5 days per week, but picking up earlier, like around 3:30. I want to be able to give LO 2 lots of attention and have time to rest, and also keep LO1s schedule somewhat the same. Then I feel like I will be better able to give more attention to my older LO once I pick her up. She will be almost 3 when the baby gets here, and needs lots of activity, so daycare will help </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255650 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:22:17 +0000 blackbird 2255650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I take her mon-fri! DH does pick ups. It's hard to feed T when E is home. Plus I'm selfishly enjoying spending my leave organizing the house, cleaning out drawers and closets, and watching lots of adult TV, not Mickey Mouse </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255649 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:21:44 +0000 lovehoneybee 2255649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mkp17: E's daycare does a thing called "sticky back" when they are lining up to go from one room to another...basically what it sounds like, back against the wall. It works beautifully in the parking lot...I say "sticky back!" and he immediately stands with his back against the car and doesn't move until I tell him to! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255648 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:21:32 +0000 Mamaof2 2255648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: My DS was also 2.5 when I had my DD in March :happy: </p> <p>I kept him in FT DCP - it was best for him and me!</p> <p>My mom drove him the 1st two weeks and after that I did drop off and pick up </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255645 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:20:57 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2255645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't want to disrupt DD1's schedule too much, so we left her in daycare. It also helped me to give DD2 (almost) the same bonding time that I had with DD1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255644 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:19:38 +0000 Truth Bombs 2255644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO will go to school full time while I'm on maternity leave. I'm sure I'll keep her home for random days here and there but for the most part she'll be in school. She loves school and would be bored at home with me and the baby all day. Plus, we have to pay for it to keep her spot anyway so I might as well send her! My parents will handle drop off an pick up for the first two weeks since they'll be in town. Then my husband will do drop off and I'll do pick up (which is the same thing we do now). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-moms-what-did-you-do-with-lo1-while-on-leave-with-lo2#post-2255641 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:18:35 +0000 Mrs D 2255641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good to know others have done this. I have gotten a few snarky comments making me feel guilty for keeping DD in school - but honestly even now on days off she just gets bored at home with me...it'll only be worse when there is a baby splitting my attention! </p>