Sahm

You can always send him to pre-school at 2/2.5 years old. Typically it’s a half day program (at least in my area). That would give him the socializing aspect.

I’m not shaming day care because with the right one it can be so beneficial. No one will care for your child like you and it’s hard to find a good daycare. I however am I’m the same boat as you but that’s why I joined on here to hopefully meet some mamas to go on play dates with you can do mommy and me classes and sign your baby up for a class as soon as there old enough like gymnastics or something where they’re with kids there own age. For that interaction The library has story time where they hear someone read them a book. I’m home love nbeing with him but I hear you 10000%

@Patsy same reason I joined! I prayedddddd to have this opportunity to stay home and I knew it was for the reasons you stated when I started. I'm just in my head overthinking when I should be soaking up this time with him. Being home is not easy and will make your mind do funny things 🤣

@Sam I may look into something maybe a couple of days a week. Thank you!

@Alyssa same I never imagined I’d have this opportunity but I thank my husband so much. And try to make the best of it. But I’ve realized like okay there’s options because I’m a first time mom so he doesn’t have siblings. We’re doing great !!

True! Thank you I needed that!

With me 30 weeks pregnant my husband and I wanted to get our daughter into a routine and I'm realizing that I'm going to miss going to storytime with her and just being with her all the time. So we currently got her signed up and enrolled. Her first day will be in a couple of weeks. She hasn't even started and I'm already crying. I'm due in June with my son, but my husband thinks I'll be early with him. I just know it's gonna be a huge adjustment with everything. I'll still be staying at home knowing that if we didn't put her in daycare and if I decide to breastfeed I'd be overwhelmed and stressed. Whatever decision you decide to go with it'll be an adjustment. Just do your research or look at events around town. That's what I've been trying to do with my daughter.

We keep our kids home with us... but utilize storytime at the library and things like swim lessons to get out and interact with other kiddos.

I’d say don’t worry about the social aspect until 3-4 years old! Can always do preschool later on. Go to storytimes at libraries and have play dates for some social interaction now!! If you’re able to stay home, do it and enjoy it! You’re avoiding a lot of sicknesses coming into the house for now, too!

@Jamie that helps thank you! I worry about it also

@Larissa such tough decisions! I'll be thinking of you and I hope she loves daycare!

@Brooke I'm going to start signing us up for activities now he's getting older. I'm such a homebody so this is going to be an adjustment for me. But I know if I'm going to stay home I'm going to have to step out of my comfort zone so he gets all he needs! Thank you for your input

@Jamie thank you! Yesss on the sicknesses. He was in daycare until I quit my job when he was 6 months old. He was sick literalllly at least every other week and would stay sick for at least a week or 2 at a time!

I have by the grace of God been able to be a stay at home mom since 2017 my son just started school last yr and shortly after he started school I got pregnant and now am home with my now 15 month old and plan to stay home with her till she is at least old enough to start school. I personally am not comfortable with sending my babies to daycare (I don't judge those who do) I just feel like God gave me my babies as my responsibility. I'd honestly home school if I had the capability but I unfortunately do not have the brains to do that myself. But you said you prayed to have this opportunity so maybe praying over the right decision would help you know what you should do for your child individually. Each child needs something different and going off what others say for their kids isn't always right for your own. Only God knows your child and what he or she needs best. I've had to learn that a lot lately as God has been teaching me how to be the mom my children need as individuals.

I just enrolled my son in hourly drop off care. My husband is military and goes away often for 1-2 weeks at a time. I plan to bring him 1-2x during those weeks for 2-3 hours either to run errands, go to appt, or to just get a break for a couple hours. I also hope it’ll help his language being around some other kids as he’s not talking yet.

@Lisa this is so cool! I think I would be okay with a few hours. For like you said errands and stuff my baby’s grandparents are young so they’re still working

@Alyssa it’s so hard to see them sick all the time I imagine!

Trust your instincts. My gut tells me to stay home with them as long as it mutually beneficial.

I have a 1 yr old single mom and have experimented with parents teacher groups as having been told to put him in daycare/school right after birth ...I debate the same exact things of income vs priceless moments. It's one of the first of many most difficult choices of a mother's life feeling forced to leave your child with another care giver/educational provider

@Patsy yeah we are stationed in Hawaii and we don’t have any family anywhere near us (Chicago and Tampa) so it’s just us and it can be very overwhelming!