What I Like About Daycare

Daycare is sometimes my nemesis, but for the most part I really like daycare and the one Jack attends.  What I have decided and learned over the past year regarding childcare is there really is no perfect situation and solution.   For us we weighed the pro's and con's of a nanny versus daycare.  We decided to go with daycare vs. a nanny because while the nanny would have been convenient and easier on us we felt the benefits of daycare were greater.  As I had mentioned in another "working mom" post, I have always known I was going to be a working mom.   Not because I don't love my son to pieces, but because I a. need to work for financial reasons b. Enjoy the balance.  I worked hard to get my education, and develop my career.  I pride myself on being a "working mom" role model to Jack that hopefully some day he will really admire. Even possibly follow in my footsteps?  Maybe we shall see, no pressure Jack Jack.   I give kudo's to mom's that stay home because it is very hard, I think sometimes it is probably harder then working.  But once again still not a perfect situation. 

 The arguments that went back and forth in our head included everything from if he goes to daycare he will get sick all the time.  If he stays home he won't have enough socialization.  Daycare teaches a better structure.  Babies pick up bad habits at daycare.  Will he be held enough, rocked enough, loved on, etc, etc.  The thoughts whirred through my mind constantly, and despite Jack being in daycare for 9 months those thoughts have not stopped whirring!  Thank god for my dear friend SMP, who's son is also in Jack's daycare class and one week apart from him.  She is my sounding board and sanity (besides John) for all of my daycare rants.  The most recent ones now involve my decision to have moved him up to the one year old room.  It is just never ending.  In the end these are the reasons why I like care, and why right it is the best situation for us.

1.  Jack is independent and open to other people. 
2.  He loves playing with his friends
3.  He is learning in a structured environment with people that are trained to teach and educate toddlers.  I was a  marketing major, not an early childhood development major and I see a benefit in someone specifically taught to teach my son in teaching him the things he is supposed to be learning at this age in a daycare setting.
4. Yes Jack gets sick, but I also think his immune system will be stronger long term by being exposed to germs.

This is an interesting video clip.  While it focuses more on pre-school education it has strong points that I think mimic and compliment the early stages of development when they are really young and in daycare.  If you have 15 minutes it is definitely a must watch.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.

These are my thoughts and opinions, and I know this one is a very sensitive topic.  Bottom line in my opinion there is no perfect situation, it is about the situation that is best for each of our individual parents.  In the end we all love our children more then anything, want to be the best mothers we can be, and enjoy every moment we have with these amazing little people!