https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:15:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-768025 Wed, 08 May 2013 14:21:41 +0000 Lozza 768025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I may not be helpful because, to be honest, I never had any qualms about putting LO in daycare. Like @highwire mentioned, I really like the fact that while LO is at daycare, 100% of all the adults' time is focused on the kids, whereas if I were home with LO I'd have to do other stuff too. And while I think that for young infants getting attention is the most important thing, for older babies and toddlers I think the socialization and routine and learning to follow directions components are really great. Also, it allows me to focus 100% on LO when I am home- DH and I are lucky that between our two incomes we can afford to have a cleaning service, and buy prepared healthy meals, and outsource repairs and lawncare and the like, so when we are at home with LO, LO gets all of our attention. DH and I very very rarely get frustrated with LO even when he's upset or being defiant or whatever, and I think a big part of that (for us) is that we don't have to deal with it 24/7.<br /> I also don't quite understand being hesitant to put them in daycare as babies but ok with it when they're older... I feel like as long as LO is getting loved on by whoever is caring for him at the time, he's going to be fine, and he's not going to remember these early years (not that they're not important, but as long as someone is loving on him at age 5 months, I don't really get why that has to be ME), whereas I feel like from my own childhood, it was more the middle school years where I really benefited from having my parents around more. At this age, LO just wants attention and if I'm not around, he's pretty cool with just talking his daycare teacher's ear off and making the other kids play the hokey pokey with him, and I'm cool with that too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767917 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:48:42 +0000 googly-eyes 767917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just following this but I really have been thinking along the lines of what @highwire said. I feel badly because as a sahm I have lots of other things to get done besides paying constant attention to dd, and if she were at daycare, although she would split the attention with other babies, there would always be someone whose job it was to be with her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767915 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:48:13 +0000 ladyfingers 767915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a lot of worries and tears leading up to the end of my maternity leave, and the first week was rough when I was apart from him and at work thinking about how he was doing. But it didn't take long to become more comfortable with it. Now that we're in our second week and have our routine, I don't mind taking him there because I see how well he's doing. He's young (3 months) but he is very smiley and talkative to the teachers when I drop him off, and very happy when I pick him up, either playing or chilling in his crib. He eats well and naps OK. And when he sees DH or I, he's very happy, and that warms my heart. We make sure to get lots of cuddle time and interaction with him when we do see him. It works.</p> <p>Like @highwire: said, he's being cared for when neither of us can be there, and that's all we can ask for. In a perfect world, one of us would be able to stay home and he would have undivided attention all day long. But to be honest, most of our day with him is spent with him napping, struggling to get him to nap, or feeding him. There's a very small percentage of active awake time. So it's not like we're missing that much anyway! He's a very good independent player so he's cool with the fact that his teachers have 7 other babies to look after. When he needs attention, he gets what he needs without having to wait too long. In short, he's well taken care of.</p> <p>It's hard, but I promise, you will get used to it and be OK with it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767912 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:46:33 +0000 lomom 767912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for weighing in, I really appreciate it. I just called the center again and made plans to revisit with him. The lady on the phone was super nice and friendly. </p> <p>It's just hard to imagine being away from him, though I've already done it. He was in NICU for 8 days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767892 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:38:51 +0000 prettylizy 767892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was so worked up about going back to work and sending her to be with someone else all day long. Turned out that she loves being with our care provider and I love working and it's been amazing. You just kind of have to throw it out to the universe and see what comes back. If it's not good, then adjust, but you might be surprised at how good it can be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767888 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:34:11 +0000 Bookish 767888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: I've struggled a lot with this on and off throughout my pregnancy (I'm 30w). I hate that I can't stay home with her and give her all my attention and love, but I think I'm finally in a place where I'm 'ok' with it. I know that they will be keeping her engaged, active, and socialized. It also helps that I get to pick her up around 3:30, so I still feel like I get some time with her.</p> <p>It's definitely a rough thing, though. I have days where I have major crying fits over not being able to be there 24/7, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting that, since I knew from the get go that she would have to go to day care. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767886 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:33:54 +0000 looch 767886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son started day care after age 2, but it was so the right decision to send him. He's progressing so well in speech, body control, eating and other stuff being exposed to other children. Granted, he also gets sick more often from being with them, but the progress outweighs the sickness. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767884 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:33:17 +0000 autumnlove 767884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just went back to work and let go a bit. Lo's daycare teachers and director are great and I know she is well cared for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767882 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:32:44 +0000 Mrsbells 767882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septemberlove: It gets easier with time, the first few days and weeks of taking your child to daycare are tough but then you see your child thriving and learning so much and you adapt to it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767880 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:32:32 +0000 FLnative12 767880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After DS had been at his daycare for a few weeks and I saw how caring the staff was it got a little easier. Now that he is a little older (10 months) he gets so happy and excited while I am dropping him off, he loves to see all of his little baby friends and teachers. This has made it MUCH easier for me b/c he is always so happy to be there, but still excited to see me when I pick him up in the evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767875 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:31:34 +0000 Rubies 767875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it wasn't a real option for me to take more than my maternity. I am very happy with our daycare. It took a while to get my MIL warmed up to the idea but after seeing how well LO is has progressed, she had to admit that daycare was a good choice for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767872 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:31:03 +0000 DillonLion 767872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The daycare teachers are always "On" when they are at work. And when I'm home with LO for the short few hours during the week, I'm always "On" and present for her then. </p> <p>So, she basically gets someone all day long that is focused and paying close attention to her. If I was staying home, there would be times where I'd need a break/grow weary of being on baby duty 24/7. </p> <p>Plus, our daycare is great. I've never seen her being ignored or treated any differently than I would. And I love that she gets the stimulation and interaction with other kids of different ages. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-you-get-okay-with-daycare#post-767857 Wed, 08 May 2013 13:25:31 +0000 lomom 767857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really struggling with the idea of sending LO to daycare. I found a great center while I was pregnant and everyone seemed friendly, warm, and happy to work there. The center was clean, impressive, and felt like a good fit. </p> <p>But daycare will never be Mommy. How did you come to terms with that? </p>