Maternity leave and daycare for older child

[itsmemeg]

Hi there, 

I am due with baby #2 late April and I will be on maternity leave until mid August. I am trying to figure out if I will continue to send my older son, who will be 3, to his daycare either at all or part time or still keep him full time. Financially we can keep him full time if we wanted to but just wanted to see what other STM+ have done while on maternity leave. Did you keep your other children home or send them full/part time? 

[Deleted]

itsmemeg, my kids have roughly the same gap and we kept her in daycare. She loves school, and we love the routine. DS was already going to be changing so much about her world that we figured if we could afford it, it would be worth keeping her where she was. We had lots of days that she arrived later or was picked up earlier than normal, and on a couple days, I took her out to do something fun or travel since I was home anyways. I have 0 regrets.

[itsmemeg]

@k3am thank you! I think that’s what we will likely do as well.

[oldbaylover1024]

itsmemeg - My kids are 3.5 years apart and we kept my DD in daycare when my son was born. First, I couldn't handle entertaining her and having a newborn at home. She's an active pre-K kid and LOVES being in school anyway, so it was best for her to go. Second, she thrives on routine (my whole house does LOL), so that was an easy factor to consider. Third, I wanted some bonding time with my son. It was nice to have our days alone, just the two of us.

Congrats!!!

[itsmemeg]

oldbaylover1024 everything you said sounds just like my family. DS is super active, loves going to “school” and he does best when on a routine (me too!).

[vvvvvfee]

DS1 was almost 3 when DS2 was born (in the summer), and i kept sending him f/t. they spent most of the day outside in the summer, and DS1 was/is very active-- i knew i couldn't provide the level of activity he would probably need. our DC wouldn't let us pull him out completely if we wanted them to save a spot, so my only option would have been to cut back and just send him a couple of days a week. we didn't think the savings was worth it. i think it helps for them to continue their same routine even after the baby is born.

LO#3 is also due in the summer, and we have DS1 signed up for camp (9-3) and DS2 (who will be turning 3) will continue to go to DC f/t.

[thatgolfb]

Way behind, but I have been on ML since October and we have kept DD1 in day care/preschool full time the entire time, other than a 2 week holiday and a week long Disney trip. I have no regrets at all. It has been great to be able to spend time one on one with the baby, and DD1 loves her day care and school friends so she has been happy, too.

ETA: DD1 turns 4 tomorrow, she was 3.75 when DD2 was born.