Anonymous wrote:I was lucky I didn't need strangers raising my kids.

Lame; boring.

Anonymous wrote:I was lucky I didn't need strangers raising my kids.

I'm impressed it took till almost the bottom of page 2 to get to this.

My kids are now in first and third grades. I worked full time and had them in daycare since they both were 4 months old. I was lucky enough to find a great daycare so I had no guilt. Once my youngest started kindergarten I started working 80%, so I don't work on the day their school has early release days. On my day off I volunteer in their school and have met other moms. I now feel part of the school community. Next year I will drop down to 60% so I can have another day off. I think my kids need me more as they get older. Financially we put a lot away for retirement and college when they were babies so there is more time for the money to grow. I have no regrets about not staying home with them those early years as I was able to advance in my job to the point where I can now work part time.

I was lucky I didn't need strangers raising my kids.

Under 5 is when personality is determined???

No. I was fortunate enough to be able to afford and choose a day care where caregivers shared my overall philosophy about child rearing.

Anonymous wrote:I absolutely love my daycare. We plan to only have the one child, and don't have grandparents or much other family in the picture. So, knowing that she goes and spends time with a second family of people who love and care about her, and seeing all the enriching activities they do with her (which I would never have the creativity or skill to do), makes me feel like it actually adds a lot of value to her life. And she looks so cute playing with her baby friends when I pick her up

All of this. She has so much fun playing with other little folk, and is so studious about her "work." Honestly, her teachers/caregivers are so lovely and good with kids that I'm not sure DD would be as polite, great at sharing, early potty trained, etc. if I were the only in charge of her. I certainly couldn't have socialized her in the same way. Don't feel guilty, OP!

I toured a center I knew I would feel guilty leaving my child. I actually found myself apologizing to him on the way home from the tour. That's how I knew I wouldn't be enrolling him in that center. I had left a pretty hefty enrollment fee but I walked away. It's worth the extra searching to find a situation that won't make you feel guilty.

I did the SAH thing for a few years, thinking that was "better" for my child. I don't think so now.

When I did go back, I did have stress and anxiety but I could see that my kids were really thriving in daycare. There is nothing to feel guilty about. It all depends on the quality of care though. My kids were in a truly excellent place with excellent caregivers.

My child is in a wonderful family daycare with people who love her, she is getting social interaction with 5 children ranging from 3 months to 3 years, I think it's actually REALLY good for her. She's thriving, she does more there than I would probably do with her at home, she has friends, she's having a blast, and we really enjoy our time together (she was only in daycare 3 days a week her first year, now she is full time). Why should I feel guilty?

I kind of feel guilty that I DON'T feel guilty, if that makes any sense. And I don't even love my job, it's just okay and it makes financial sense for our family for me to work.

I considered SAH but in addition to the finanical reasons to continue working, another was that I actually felt it was important to send my kid to daycare. I feel the socialization and structure he will get there far surpass what I would have provided at home full time (I'm sure there are SAHM out there who are great about this stuff, but I knew it would not be one of my strengths).

My kid aged out of daycare, but I didn't feel guilty. Some teachers were better than others, but he made such a good group of friends there - there was little turnover, so it was the same 15 kids for 5 years. Although I wasn't close friends with the other parents, one mom schedules regular reunions and the kids are still so happy to see one another a few years out.

Anonymous wrote:I absolutely love my daycare. We plan to only have the one child, and don't have grandparents or much other family in the picture. So, knowing that she goes and spends time with a second family of people who love and care about her, and seeing all the enriching activities they do with her (which I would never have the creativity or skill to do), makes me feel like it actually adds a lot of value to her life. And she looks so cute playing with her baby friends when I pick her up

Another one and done, here, and I agree that I love that daycare provides her with the opportunity to socialize, learn to get along with other kids, and make friends. She's now been with the same group of kids for two years--they have known each other their entire lives, really. I sometimes feel sad when I drop her off, because I miss her, but I don't feel guilty.

I feel guilty if the care is below my standard. Otherwise, I think that it's GREAT to expand my child's "village" to include other really wonderful adults and children who have talents that I don't have!

The key here for me is that the childcare is EXCELLENT.

A part of me feels guilty, but I think that has more to do with me wanting to spend more time with DD. Overall, I am extremely happy that she is there. She is learning to socialize with other children and is learning life skills. She has a favorite teacher there who she absolutely LOVES. I also think it makes me a better mom because I make a point ot be very engaged with her once we are home. It is a very positive experience all around.