Honestly, at 4.5 months old, i probably would not do this. Unless i really needed a mental health day or an urgent home project. But probably not.

With a 4 or 5 year old, yes for sure. A full planned day in their normal routine is much better than me dragging them around town to a bunch of errands or being parked in front of a tv while i try to knock out some things around the house. Because thats what i usually do on non-work holidays.

Everybody needs a break, including day care providers and kids. I keep DD home on holidays that I have off and the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas. If I take a random weekday off because I need a break, I will send her to day care for a while. Having worked in child care, I know that (older) children realize it when they are one of just a few kids in care and their parents are not working. And I have to admit, I used to feel negatively toward parents who'd drop their kids off early in the morning the day of or after a holiday and leave them there all day when they weren't working.

..I wouldn't judge a mom for doing it, BUT since you asked...drop him off for a couple hours if necessary, then pick him up before lunch. He needs time with YOU.

I'm a daycare provider, and I think you feel guilty for the reasons you said. He is 4.5 montjs old, you are breastfeeding and away from him full-time. It IS better for him, IMO to spend the time with YOU.
Other posters have said that you don't get many opportunities to have "me" time at this age, and that is true. And I know it's hard. But you don't get many "extra" days with your son either. And then...."poof", they are gone.
From a daycare provider standpoint, I would care either way. I wouldn't judge a mom who

Op here, thanks all for the insight and the day date idea. Somehow my foggy frazzled brain never thought of that...

Appalling? No. The (rare) day where I'm not working and daycare or preschool is open lets me get some really mundane stuff done quickly, and leaves the weekend free for family time. Totally worth it.

And for 18:41 and 18:49, both WOH and SAH moms today spend much more quality time with their kids than moms did in previous decades, such as when I was growing up in the 1970s. Occasional mental health/get things done/date days aren't going to negatively impact our kids.

As a daycare mom, I find this appalling. Daycare isn't closed all that often. Why have kids if spending your days off with them is such an imposition?

Anonymous wrote:Those are our favorite days. DH and I have "day dates." LOVE those days.

+1

Threads like these give working moms a bad name.

Those are our favorite days. DH and I have "day dates." LOVE those days.

Anonymous wrote:When I have the day off, sometimes I do drop my daughter off for a couple hours then pick her up early. It lets me clean up around the house, do some errands, catch a nap, etc.

DH on the other hand? Every single time. He gets every other Friday off and DD is in daycare every Friday.

Good point. My DH also has every other Friday off, and more often than not he uses it to accomplish house projects that are hard to do with DS around, then the weekend can be more relaxing.

It is ok to take a break if you need one! I usually did this when I was sick the first year, and sometimes DH and I take a day off work for a "date day" and send DS to daycare.

It is hard when they are so little and you're still having to deal with pumping, but it can be amazing what a day off can do for you. If you have been needing to get a hair cut or do some shopping, it's a great chance to do it.

I love those days! My husband and I are off and have a date day. Lunch, movie, etc. I drop off at the usual time but generally pick up an hour or two early. So a treat for everyone!

Anonymous wrote:I feel that I give myself permission to not feel guilty about those because our marriage needs them, and a good marriage is good for our son.

If you substitute "mental health" for "marriage" on the quote above, you'll have all the justification you need to take time for yourself and not feel guilty about it.

I do use it for my older 4 year old who loves seeing her friends, plus it's more pre-k academics.

I do not use it for my 1 year old who would prefer to be home and nurse and snuggle.