Random kid question.

flip_flops

If you did not have a job (either outside the home or working from home) and you had children, would you put them in daycare?

kdonedizzle

Meh...I wouldn't really see the need unless it was a short educational program that allowed for some time to get a few things done and allow the child to socialize and learn. I think it would depend on the situation.

Rachel2315

Not until they were older...I might arrange for a babysitter every once in awhile if I needed to do something that I couldn't do with him (like paint a room or something) but I'd probably just wait until my MIL or mom could watch him.

Agentmysterycat@hotmail.com

Im kinda with Karrey...If I was a SAHM then no I wouldnt put them in daycare until they were older, and then it would be for socializing and things of that nature.

SheriandMark

I agree with K and K on this one.

flip_flops

Thanks!  Just wondering.  I found out today that SIL isn't working now and both kids (6 months and 20 months) are in daycare every day.  I'm very interested to find out what she does all day, but I guess I'll see when we arrive on Friday.

I know it's none of my business and I'm being judgemental, but I can't help but feel sorry for these kids right now.

breannek.ot

I'd put them in a Mother's Day Out program, or preschool when they got old enough for socialization/education, but otherwise, no.  I might arrange for a sitter if I needed to do things and couldn't take them with me.

Bellabride2B

If I did not work, then no. I would love to be a stay at home Mom.

flip_flops

breannek.ot:

I'd put them in a Mother's Day Out program, or preschool when they got old enough for socialization/education, but otherwise, no.  I might arrange for a sitter if I needed to do things and couldn't take them with me.

I don't really consider what you've described as daycare.  I'm talking about 7am-4pm 5 days a week.

breannek.ot

Then no, I would not use daycare if I was not working.

cmk1108

Daycare - no.  I would definitely put them in some classes and stuff so they get used to be around other kids. 

wendilea

Nope.  I was a WAHM for 7 years and my kids went to activities (dance, gymnastics, art, etc) but not daycare.

LBF DPT

I am a pediatric physical therapist and alot of my patients' parents ask this question. My response is normally: at least for one day a few for a 1/2 a day. To start encouraging transitional skills to another (non family) person and to promote socialization. It is never too early to start that. I have many parents that tell me " my kid is with me all the time and i dont understand why the scream when i am not holding them/with them/etc."

flip_flops

LBF DPT:

I am a pediatric physical therapist and alot of my patients' parents ask this question. My response is normally: at least for one day a few for a 1/2 a day. To start encouraging transitional skills to another (non family) person and to promote socialization. It is never too early to start that. I have many parents that tell me " my kid is with me all the time and i dont understand why the scream when i am not holding them/with them/etc."

Thansk!  Good to know a professional opinion.

Personally, I could never put my 6 month old in daycare all day, 5 days a week while I was at home not working.  That's just me though.  Certainly I would send an older child to preschool a couple mornings a week, but again that's not what I consider daycare.

My mom and her friends traded days where one of them would watch the kids while the others got a break for a few hours.  Granted that was in the 80s and they were all SAHMs.

ilovedesi

I would want my children to interact with other children BUT I would probably find some group of non-working moms and their kids to hang out with so that I could be with my kids and watch them while they were hanging out with other kids.  I would not want to send them off to daycare if I did not work.  I don't see the point.

hudysgirl

I would not put my child in day care if I were a SAHM. I would make sure to set up play dates for the kids to let them have soical interaction and would put them in preschool at the appropraite age. Otherwise I would have them home with me.