Dealing with the question of "Why do you use daycare?"
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Anonymous
| I'm a parent of an infant in daycare (DC is almost 9 months old). Our child is doing well and by some accounts thriving in daycare (becoming independent, interacting with other babies, meeting developmental milestones etc.). Most of friends and acquaintances are SAHM or use a nanny or grandparents as their primary childcare. I am constantly being asked why I would use daycare as if it is an inferior choice (e.g. less attention, more illnesses). I dislike recounting our reasons because it seems like I'm criticizing their choice of childcare by doing so (e.g. I need to work, I don't like the idea of leaving DC alone with one person, there's more stimulation being around other people etc.). It feel like the conversations turn into debates or arguments. What do others on this forum do to avoid these situations? |
Anonymous
| "It's what works best for our family. Can you pass the beans. They look delicious!" |
Anonymous
| Oh, that's simple. "I simply cannot deal with these children for hours at a time." |
Anonymous
| Tell them to myob! Frankly, I'm a SAHM, and get tons of comments from the other direction, its all ridiculous! But, I totally agree with you on the liking daycare because its not just one person. I would go that route if I ever decided to woh! Just get out if the conversation ASAP-- they're only bringing something like this up in order to pass judgement! Ahh! |
Anonymous
| Tell them it's cheap and you are saving for her college. I mean would you waste your time with a real answer? This type of person doesn't care about your reason they just want to make you feel like sh!t. |
Anonymous
| Just say you found a center that you're thrilled with. No need to get into details or cost-benefit assessment. Someone will judge every single decision you make as a parent, and you don't need to justify any of them to anyone other than yourself and your partner. |
Anonymous
| My DH's mom was a nanny. She beat her charges. I always tell them that. Shuts them up fast. |
Anonymous
Yeah, I keep my mouth shut about it unless asked, but I have so many horror stories about nannies and in-home DCPs from my days as a prosecutor. I doubt I could ever get comfortable leaving my child in the solo care of someone who is basically a stranger. |
Anonymous
Yes, nanny vs. baby, nanny wins every time because the baby cannot speak. Why would you put your dear child alone with anyone? Answer is simple: in daycare, there are atleast 3 or more adults in infant room watching each other. |
Anonymous
| We have a nanny. Because that's what works best for our family. You use daycare because that's what works best for your family. It's that simple. Different things work best for different families. |
Anonymous
Umm, yeah. That really worked out great for the kids at Minnieland, didn't it. There are risks to EVERY TYPE of childcare. |
Anonymous
| Who asks these questions? I can't believe so many people in your life are that rude. |
Anonymous
+1 you have horrible friends/family OP. This has never come up in any conversation I've ever had. |
Anonymous
| Because it's illegal to leave them home alone. |
Anonymous
I was a nanny for many years and I am horrified by this. How awful  those poor little babies.
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