Both my kids are still registered in daycare. Yes, even though I am staying home with them now I can always bring them in for a daily rate. It’s call “drop in” status and hangs there like a trapeze net to catch me if I fall. Not that I think I will fall or anything…
Of course I could always drop them off at one of my “non-working” cousins’ homes. But for not working they seem to be just as busy each day as I am. One is always going from football practice to dance/cheer then back to the football field. I have another SAHM cousin that has boys that play “travel ball” so she is never home either…Then there is the non-working cousin that runs a photography studio out of her home, edits her own photos and gets paid to edit for other photographers, does the books for her husband’s small business, and shuttles her son to karate several times a week. And they all have immaculate homes.
I’ve been assured that I will find my groove. I will learn to balance the housework with my school work, and the soccer practices along with the kids’ doctors appointments. That my home will be immaculate one day too. (Bwahahahahahaha–immaculate under the paper that is.)
I think it is happening. My routine is slowly forming.
But I am still happy I have my safety net. (Keep in mind, though, that my safety net is a daycare that I have been trusting for over six years. That trust makes a difference.)
I have 2.5 hours from when I drop off, then pick up my youngest. That is when I workout, work on homework, run errands, or make my own appointments. It eases my mind to know that if my doctor has no open morning appointments and I need to go in the afternoon, then I can. No stress. No scrambling for a babysitter. That burden is not on my shoulders and that’s priceless to me.
Granted, I paid the registration fee for the daycare (like I have been doing for the past six years while I worked) last year so there was no initial cost to me. The fee is steep for a drop in at about $45 for a day each. However, if there was a reason for me to drop off the kids then it would have to be worth the $90.
Some may look at me askance for this admission. They would probably be the same ones that thought I was crazy for dropping the children off at daycare on the one day off a month I had off during the week, back when I was still working full time. I was asked why I didn’t spend my day off with the kids when I was off. Well…
- My kids flourish when they follow a routine and it is still a “school day”
- Since it was my only weekday off during a whole month, there was no better time for me to get my personal business done during normal business hours. (DMV anyone?)
- Or we were at a doctor’s appointment for one of the kids and I needed to give my full attention to the doctor and not to keeping the “well child” from spinning around on the doctor’s stool.
- They liked playing on the playground with their friends twice a day.
- Whether I kept them home or not for that day, I still had to shell out $300 for the week.
I felt then that the “free day” to get stuff done without having to make my kids suffer through it with me was better for them in the big picture. It was a day like any other for them and it allowed me to get items on my to do list checked off, thereby releasing me from the stress of having unfinished tasks. My stress has a direct effect on their stress levels.
There’s no shame in my game. All you working mama’s out there, whether you work at home or away from home, if you have a back up plan set up in place you will be amazed at how good it does you, whether you use it or not.
Holly @ My Plant-Based Family says
I’ve considered putting my kids in daycare for a day or two, or even a morning or two a week. It just wasn’t in the budget. I would truly love it though and wouldn’t feel bad for a second. Next year one of them will be in school so I will consider daycare for the younger one. Smells like freedom!
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Herchel says
Lol the couple of hours that my daughter is in daycare is actually a county pre-kindergarten program so I don’t pay for it. They are signed up for drop in care as needed though.
Heather says
It’s good to have a break from kids now and then else we’d go mad. Here in SA we have maids to help and that helps me so much!
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emma t says
When I was made redundant and on 2 months off, N was still in his day nursery, although 2.5 rather tahn 4.5 days. It kept his routine the same and gave me time to go for interviews, plus do other jobs. I also have an extra day off work after N and I get back from a few days off. I’ve lots of to sort out, spot of shopping etc, and weekends just don’t give me time to do that when I want to be with him doing fun things.
I also think children need to be with friends and in different environments as variety is what provides a broader experience and education for them in future.
Katelyn F says
I couldn’t afford daycare, but sounds great! Running errands with kids can be crazy sometimes. I just try hard to plan them out, well in advance!
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Herchel says
My youngest is in voluntary pre-kindergarten for 3 hours in the morning. It really helps with errands.
Gracielle says
I bet those few extra hours you get when you drop off your kids at day care are the most productive hours of the day! Keep doing it if it works for you and your sanity 🙂
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Kimber's Navy Family says
Hahaha! I loved this post. At our last duty station, we had a fabulous drop-in childcare place that I used for all 3 of my boys all the time– and I’m a stay-at-home mom as well! It is great not to have to drag 3 children to the pediatrician when only 1 has a doctor’s appointment. Drop-in childcare, compared to drop-in status at a daycare, is much more affordable. Because I have 3, I would buy bulk hours there, the biggest bulk hour package that was available. It was such a life-saver! As a military family, we don’t have family nearby and so finding childcare during the daytime can be difficult without friends/family nearby. Drop-in childcare was a life-saver for those days that I NEEDED someone to watch the kids and FABULOUS on the days that I just WANTED someone to watch the kids! 🙂 You should Google drop-in childcare and see if you have one in your area! They aren’t everywhere; there isn’t one at our new duty station so I’m having to adjust. 😛
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Earl-Leigh says
You need time to catch up with household duties and regroup sometimes. When my in-laws ask to keep Harper for the day, I don’t see it as sending her off. I get stuff done so that she has my full attention when she returns.
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Katy Blevins says
I send my kids to day care on every day that they are open, even if my office is closed and I have the day off. Having those random days where I don’t have to work and have the house to myself to catch up, run errands or quite simply do nothing, has been AMAZING. I sometimes feel guilty, but I know ultimately, I am doing the best thing for them by carving out some me time.
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Herchel says
Absolutely! Taking that time to yourself means that when they get home they have a stress free mom who will have more time for them!
Angella says
I do the same thing. I still work, but I get to telecommute twice a week. The whole idea was to save money on daycare by going from full-time down to 3 days/wk. Except it’s not always the days I’m home that he’s home. I can’t get much done at home when my 3 year old is bouncing off the walls, that includes cleaning. So we try to schedule 1 day where I’m home with him and 1 day I have alone and he spends time with his grandparents. Works out well, but my house is still so very far from immaculate!! lol (Visiting from SITS!)
Herchel says
It’s so hard to clean with kids around, isn’t it? I am actively campaigning to get my mother in law to move near us though. The snow up north is making moving look tempting to her :). I get so jealous when people have their parents nearby!
Tricia says
Everyone needs a break, especially moms! We all need a moment in a day sometimes that don’t involve carrying little ones on our hips. Good for you for making sure you still get that time!
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Echo says
It’s ok. I homeschool and my son is still registered in the latch-key program at our public school.
Same reasoning, if I need to, I can drop him off with out issue. It is always nice to have a backup!
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Sandy Sandmeyer says
Just because you’re a stay at home mom doesn’t mean you don’t need some time away from your kids. There is not fault in having the ability to drop them off when you need to. I bet your doctor appreciates not having them in the examining room and you get more done when you’re not dragging kids along. Good for you!
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Karen @TheMissingNiche says
I wish my kids were still young enough for daycare so I could get them out of my hair. Oh wait, they go to school every day 🙂 Now that I will be going back to work, I wonder if I can get them into a weekend gig so I can nap…
Luckily, my mother-in-law lives next door and I have never had to worry about day care!
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Herchel says
You are lucky! My mother in law lives 10 hours away!
Kim Banks says
I think that’s great. You’ve found what works for you! Thanks for sharing. It seems like a good solution to keep in the back of my mind (I’m expecting in March).
Herchel says
Congratulations! There are just some cases when it’s not beneficial to them or me to bring them along.
NJ @ A Cookie Before Dinner says
“There’s no shame in my game. ”
Yes to this! Do whatever works best, you’ll find your groove. Promise.
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Rabia @TheLiebers says
I think it’s a great idea!! When I worked at a day care we had parents who would feel guilty for dropping off their kids on their days off. I always told them that they deserved some time to themselves and the kids love being with their friends! Of course, we also had parents who didn’t work and dropped their kids off every day just to avoid them…Those were sad cases.
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Herchel says
That is an expensive sad case. I really don’t think my kids would enjoy sitting and waiting while my car’s oil is changed and tires rotated. I would choose arts and crafts and the playground over that any day.
Bev says
I think every parent deserves at least one day a month to themselves, even if it’s to get errands done. I’m currently taking care of my little one full-time, but while I also run a business. Even though I *technically* can continue to watch her every day, I would like to have a day a week where I can really focus on my business. And I think there is a lot to be said for the routine and fun of daycare for children!
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Herchel says
I have one child that misses being in daycare now that I am home. We go to the park when we can, have play dates, and do fun stuff when we can so his need for playing and running is met. My daughter used to scream when I dropped her off. Now that she is only in school for a few hours a day for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten she is much happier on the the whole and doesn’t fuss each day. I want her to like going to school and not being there for a full eight hours each day has been helping a lot.
Lexie Wolf says
Good for you! You deserve the time and I bet you are a better mom for it. And, I bet your kids are really benefitting from the social time.
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Herchel says
Actually I haven’t used it yet lol! I just like knowing it’s available for emergencies so I have it set up. But I am surprised at how many people I know who don’t know you can arrange for drop in care at some daycares.