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I don't know anyone who has young kids and stays home but still pays for daycare! Maybe the therapist is out of touch.

I know a few SAHPs who have their kids in daycare or preschool PT.

@spaniellove: Could give you a chance to breathe, and maybe also to get more energy to pursue services for him! Win/win.

I SAH and my toddler goes to preschool 2 days a week. It's for both of us. I have an infanf now as well. But last year we lived cross country away from all family and he went to daycare 2 days a week. I did things like go to the gym, clean, errands, skied, doc visits (was pregnant part of the year). Otherwise I had no help and no break as we lived a zillion miles from family and friends (husband has demanding profession and works a ton). I don't feel the least bit guilty or weird about it.

My 2 year old will go to preschool 2 mornings a week when the new school year starts. I'm not sure if that's considered daycare...

Full time daycare with a sahm since pretty uncommon. But, a once a week babysitter or drop off care thing is more common, I think- special needs or not. If you could swing it financially I think it would be great, but I don't necessarily see it as the same as regular daycare?

Then as they get older preschool or whatever is good for both of you, I think.

I have a friend who had her kiddos in daycare twice a week, because it was cheaper than daycare and the hours were much more flexible.

As a SAHM I had considered it in the first year because I was so overwhelmed. I needed a break, and the only solution I could think of was putting him in daycare or school for a few days a week. After he turned one, taking care of LO became easier, and I became better adjusted to my new role. I didn't consider it again until he was older, and it made sense to enroll him in preschool at 3.5.

To me it really isn't that different- "daycare" can mean preschool, or Montessori or anything really, right? Semantics?

I nannied for a SAHM of 2. I wish that was me!

I will be a SAHM most of the year but plan to have LO in daycare 1-2 days a week year round. My summer option is drop in only. My school year choice I can request the days I need a month at a time then they staff based on need. I'm doing it primarily to socialize my babe and to run errands and go to appointments alone. I'm not sure how common it is but no one has said it is unusual (daycares, our parents, friends etc).

@spaniellove: it could be competition or a wealthy person mindset. I experienced this a lot while living in NYC, people who just wouldn't even imagine doing anything other than the most expensive option.. Because it was the best! Again, more power to them, but so glad to finally be around "normal" people like me who bargain shop and have budgets.

@spaniellove: our school year day care is 15 min each way. It feeds into the preschool (then elementary and middle school) LO will likely attend, which is why I selected it. The drop in summer care is 5 minutes away, I don't like it as much but I work in the summers and the school is closed.

I think for 1-2 days a week a 20 minute drive is not bad for a program that's a great fit.

My friend SAH with twins and they go to Mother's Day Out twice a week.

It's probably not super common for FT daycare, but PT something - preschool or Mother's Day out is common. I do know SAHMs with FT nannies (some live-in, too) though!

We've talked about doing two days a week so I can get a break/get more done, but we haven't actually looked into it yet. We are definitely signing him up for preschool as soon as he's old enough.

Early intervention has special daycares through the state here that are free and a great way to socialize a babe as well as get a break from the special need they have if your child qualifies. They dont start till age three though.

I know a number of SAHP who have their kids in part time or full time daycare...but where I live daycare is extremely affordable.

@spaniellove: do you feel like you need a break? DId the fact that she asked you the question put you on the defensive? I only ask because I could see myself reacting the same way. If you need a break, that is a good enough reason to seek out some daycare options for your child, of any age.

The point of staying at home, in my mind, isn't not paying for day care. It's to allow the working parent to work without having to be pulled in two directions of taking care of home resposiblities and work responsibilities.

When I was a at home, I had a nanny that came one day a week, for a few hours. Maybe that seems ridic to people when I tell them that it cost us $25 per hour, but it was necessary for my sanity.

@spaniellove: baby steps girlfriend! I think the program sounds wonderful for you son (from what you've written) and it could change the playing field.

Parenting concepts, schmarenting concepts. Do what works for you!