Child Care

Hi Bellasmama, I'm a grandma who watches her grandson full time while his parents work. My daughter would love to answer this, but since she's not a myLot member, I will tell you what we have discussed about this. The cost of day care is really unbelieveably high in our area. They quoted her $100 for 2 days a week ($50 a day!) If she was to put her son into full time daycare, she would be spending far more than she would make in a week! She also didn't feel that placing her son into the hands of strangers would make her feel comfortable while he's so young. While the atmosphere, and day, is structured he would not get individualized attention. He is 3 1/2, and I've been watching him since he was born. One of the other reasons we decided to have grammy watch him was because they wanted him to grow up with our beliefs about life, and morals. He says please, and thank you, and asks nicely for things...he is learning respect and politeness. (I don't know if that is taught in daycare.) He has learned to be respectful of his parents, other children, and has learned how to share. He has learned how to be patient until it's his turn, and how to be kind and treat animals with care and love. My grandson has never had a sitter. We've both heard some terrible things on the news about things that have happened with sitters, even those that people 'thought' they knew well. The flip side...everybody thinks that when they're home they don't have interaction with other kids. That is not necessarily true. We take him to the library (kids hour) and to a busy park where lots of mothers and nannies bring the kids to play. From this, he's learned how to be quiet when someone else (teacher, etc) is speaking, and at the park and all, he has learned to take turns on the equipment, how to make friends, and more. Yes he is with adults a lot. But because of being with adults, he's learned his alphabet and how to count already (his choice) and speaks in complete sentences and has a real good sense of humor. (He is NOT like a little adult, however, and plays just as any other little one would.) Eventually, as he gets older, he will go to preschool. When he's older, he will know to report if he's being treated unfairly or something. This works well for us all the way around. For us, his safety comes first, and we've just heard too many horror stories to let him be taken care of someone else while he's so young. I feel like I was blessed to be asked to do this honor, and my daughter and husband have often said they feel blessed that I would do this. I think we're all pretty lucky!

I have a five and a half month old and my mother in law is finallly getting to baby sit the little fella tonight for the first time. I couldnt leave him at childcare just yet and he is only very rarely left with family members. It isnt that I think noone but me nows how to look after him, its just that I cant stand being seperated from him. I never knew I could love someone so much...

I am a stay at home mom

Yes,because i want my son to used to different ways of life.The cost of day care is really unbelieveably high in our area. They quoted her $100 for 2 days a week ($50 a day!) If she was to put her son into full time daycare, she would be spending far more than she would make in a week! She also didn't feel that placing her son into the hands of strangers would make her feel comfortable while he's so young. While the atmosphere, and day, is structured he would not get individualized attention. He is 3 1/2, and I've been watching him since he was born.

I choose family, because where I live a woman who had run a daycare had killed a child. She was trying to read a book and put her casted (she was wearing a cast) on the child's back for him to shut up. She ended up crushing his chest. He was only two years old. Therefore, I trust no one other than family to care for my children.

My job is as a home health care provider through the State of California for my nonverbal autistic son. I do get respite through the regional center, but I only use it on an as needed basis for conferences and training stuff on the subject of autism or special ed.

I have three children and have never used a sitter other than family. My wife and I work different shifts so a sitter is not usually needed, first I dont like letting my kids say with someone I know nothing about. Plus it is too expensive for daycare.

no way. too many crazys out there. i was abused by a babysitter when i was little and i will not let that happen to my son. i only trust my family with him.

I had my 2 children in a in-home daycare for the 1st 4 1/2 years of my daughter and 2 years for my son. I have now started up my own in-home childcare. I would NEVER put my children in a regular "state-licensed" daycare. I have heard way too many things that go wrong. They are mandated by the state and they still get away will all sorts of junk!

If I had a choice I would most definitely choose family. If I didn't however I would have to leave them to child care.