Helo figuring out childcare / socializing

[Anonymous]

Hey all, I am a first time parent with a 6 1/2 month old. Me and my husband both work from home and will be indefinetly, so far we have been juggling taking care of the baby and working on our own with no help. My husband was able to be part time until 2 weeks ago so he was the main caretaker as my job is super demanding. Now we are both full time (remote). we are hesistant to put the baby in daycare just yet due to the high cost and the new variant circualting, plus we are abel to manage it all for the most part (though it is not easy). But we want to get him in daycare at some point when socializaiton starts to be important. What age woud you say that is - 18 months? We are new to the area and we dont know a lot of people let alone alot of people with babies, so I want to find a community and have him be around kids when it starts to be a thing. What is a good time to do this in YOUR opinion? I know every kid is diff, but generally speaking, shoudl he already be in daycare? Is waiting until 11- 13 months going to be ok? We wont be able to juggle work and taking care of him past his first year, especially because we wont have time to bring him to the park etc. Ideally would like a nanny since im paraonid about covid, but too expensive for us, and its of course hard to find a nanny who wants part time work. A

In general I wish i knew people / had a social group with kids. I really want that for the baby when he is older, but I am guessing that stuff mostly comes naturally as he joins school, right? Im seeing people I grew up with having 1 yr old bday partieis for their kids with tons of kids around and Im like dang, that will so not be my baby's experience next year. Damn social media!

Thanks for your helo

[Anonymous]

Regardless of socialization, you must get childcare so you can both do your jobs efficiently. Have you considered a nanny?

[Anonymous]

If you don’t need the childcare I would wait until 3 to do daycare. You can go to playgrounds and do a baby and me class on a weekend if you feel like it. Plenty of young children don’t go to daycare or preschool at all and do just fine. I don’t know how you are productive at your job though when you are juggling a baby too. I feel like neither your baby or your employee are getting the best version of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of socialization, you must get childcare so you can both do your jobs efficiently. Have you considered a nanny?

we are doing our jobs efficiently. this isnt our issue. I explained we cant afford a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t need the childcare I would wait until 3 to do daycare. You can go to playgrounds and do a baby and me class on a weekend if you feel like it. Plenty of young children don’t go to daycare or preschool at all and do just fine. I don’t know how you are productive at your job though when you are juggling a baby too. I feel like neither your baby or your employee are getting the best version of you.

its two of us juggling work and baby so I think its fine for now, my job is going well. But my concern is when he turns 1 and not being able to take him to parks and stuff because of our work. we dont have an alternative though. Its either daycare or nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t need the childcare I would wait until 3 to do daycare. You can go to playgrounds and do a baby and me class on a weekend if you feel like it. Plenty of young children don’t go to daycare or preschool at all and do just fine. I don’t know how you are productive at your job though when you are juggling a baby too. I feel like neither your baby or your employee are getting the best version of you.

doesnt preschool start at 3p though as opposed to daycare?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t need the childcare I would wait until 3 to do daycare. You can go to playgrounds and do a baby and me class on a weekend if you feel like it. Plenty of young children don’t go to daycare or preschool at all and do just fine. I don’t know how you are productive at your job though when you are juggling a baby too. I feel like neither your baby or your employee are getting the best version of you.

doesnt preschool start at 3p though as opposed to daycare?

you can start either at 3. Our daughter was in daycare part time from 18 mos to 3.5. Then we switched our schedules around so one of us was always around in the mornings. She went to a pre k 4 program and had a sitter 3 days a week from 330-630. We pulled out of daycare mainly because they forced a 2 hour nap/ laying on cot time. So our kid was then still awake at 10pm.

[Anonymous]

I’d try to find in-home daycare at 1 year. Once they start walking, it’s much harder to balance work and childcare. Most daycares in our area (NW DC) are $2400 a month but I’ve found some great in-home daycares in our neighborhood for $1500. You should also join a parenting group on Facebook for your respective area. I’m in one for our neighborhood and there are opportunities for meeting other parents and tons of support. You might also find a nannyshare.

[Anonymous]

It'll become way worse juggling a baby as he will become mobile, grabbing things, and requiring stimulation.

And don't fool yourself that you can (still) work efficiently with an upcoming active/crawling/almost toddler

[Anonymous]

What was your plan for childcare when you were pregnant Op?? Surely, you had this fiscussion with your husband? Surely, you knew that you could get away with hiding you're taking care of an infant while still logging in online and working, but at some point the gig would be noticeable?

Covid isn't new so presumably you ruled out daycare (which you seem to fear) even before baby was born.

You can't afford a nanny you claim?

Nanny state, PT nanny, mothers helper for a few hours a day, local family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was your plan for childcare when you were pregnant Op?? Surely, you had this fiscussion with your husband? Surely, you knew that you could get away with hiding you're taking care of an infant while still logging in online and working, but at some point the gig would be noticeable?

Covid isn't new so presumably you ruled out daycare (which you seem to fear) even before baby was born.

You can't afford a nanny you claim?

Nanny state, PT nanny, mothers helper for a few hours a day, local family?

nanny share ^^

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d try to find in-home daycare at 1 year. Once they start walking, it’s much harder to balance work and childcare. Most daycares in our area (NW DC) are $2400 a month but I’ve found some great in-home daycares in our neighborhood for $1500. You should also join a parenting group on Facebook for your respective area. I’m in one for our neighborhood and there are opportunities for meeting other parents and tons of support. You might also find a nannyshare.

great idea. thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was your plan for childcare when you were pregnant Op?? Surely, you had this fiscussion with your husband? Surely, you knew that you could get away with hiding you're taking care of an infant while still logging in online and working, but at some point the gig would be noticeable?

Covid isn't new so presumably you ruled out daycare (which you seem to fear) even before baby was born.

You can't afford a nanny you claim?

Nanny state, PT nanny, mothers helper for a few hours a day, local family?

Things change. what is the point of your comment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It'll become way worse juggling a baby as he will become mobile, grabbing things, and requiring stimulation.

And don't fool yourself that you can (still) work efficiently with an upcoming active/crawling/almost toddler

yea thats why i was asking about childcare at 1 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d try to find in-home daycare at 1 year. Once they start walking, it’s much harder to balance work and childcare. Most daycares in our area (NW DC) are $2400 a month but I’ve found some great in-home daycares in our neighborhood for $1500. You should also join a parenting group on Facebook for your respective area. I’m in one for our neighborhood and there are opportunities for meeting other parents and tons of support. You might also find a nannyshare.

other then fb, any suggestions for how to find inhome childcare ? I have not had much luck so far!