Our Reasons for Daycare

I have recently had several people asking me how Will and I came to the decision to have Colin in daycare rather than one of us staying home with him...so I thought I would post an entry about the subject.  Disclaimer: I am just pointing out our reasons for our decision.  I think each family has to choose for themselves.  I do not think there is only one right answer.  

When I was younger I thought that I would want to stay home once I became a mother, but I found that I was OK with the idea, but was realizing that it may not be the most beneficial for my son or myself.

I read a few articles about the negative and positive, because there will be good and bad for both options.  Here are two articles that are not the exact ones I read, but are saying basically the same thing:

http://www.thelaboroflove.com/articles/what-are-the-benefits-of-sending-my-child-to-daycare/


http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Day_Care_Benefits_Look_at_the_Positives.html

What it mainly came down to for Will and I was which one would benefit Colin in the long run.  I had been told that the first few months it is definitely beneficial for an infant to stay home in order to bond with the "at home" parent, so we stayed home as long as we could his first few months.  I was also told that once a child gets to be a few months old, then socializing becomes very important.  Kids learn from other kids.  Of course they can learn from adults but seeing someone your size doing something seems to definitely make a difference.  I think that is why the second child seems to be less timid then the oldest child (at least from what I have seen) they benefit from seeing their older sibling doing something and realizing it is OK to do.  Colin has blossomed since being around kids, especially ones older than him.  One of my biggest concerns with Colin was that he would be as shy as I was when I was a child (or even older). My brothers and I were at home with either one of our parents or a grandparent.  I love the memories of that but I do see what influence that had on my social skills. So far shyness is NOT a problem for Colin - not at all!  He is very good at approaching kids, something I would have dreaded.

The place that Colin goes to is in a lady's home, but is set up more like a preschool.  The benefit from going to someone's home rather than a company/school is that there is not as many children.  So, enough children for him to get his socializing but not where he goes unnoticed.  I think there is around 6 kids where he is at.  Since it is more like a preschool there is structure and a schedule to their activities.  My little organized boy LOVES this!  He gets plenty of playtime but is learning so much.  He can count to 10 (for quite some time now) and he knows his colors - which probably helps that Will and I quiz him all the time! He is getting used to "circle time" and doing art projects.  With him being so energetic I think he will benefit from learning to "sit still" now rather than waiting so close to starting school.  The daycare is influenced by the idea of the Montessori method. 

Another positive thing is that Colin has been able to build up his immune system by being around other kids and their germs.  So, yes being at a daycare means that your child may get sick more often in the beginning but he is able to build up a tolerance and get exposed to different things.  Now when he gets a cold, his nose runs a little and then mommy gets sick! 

I have also read that kids who attend a daycare are more likely to be independent when they reach school age.  If you stay at home, more often your mom/dad will drop whatever they are doing anytime you need something, but if you are in an environment where there are other children you may have to wait your turn or learn to do some simpler things for your self.  They learn to be patient.  Obviously, this is not regarding serious situations.  They also may be less likely to have dependency issues. 

This choice worked for Will and I.  It may not for other people.  I think it has truly benefited Colin.  I am also lucky that I have a great PTO benefit at work and can take off "special days" with Colin pretty much anytime I want to or feel the need.  We also have a great (flexible when needed) routine during the evenings to make sure Colin gets plenty of family time.  Our weekends are usually dedicated to family events as well. This works for us but I can definitely see some benefits for keeping a child at home...but the ones that were important to Will and I were more likely to come from him being in daycare.  So, I am not against keeping a child home or a mother choosing to not work.  I think each family has to address that themselves.