Nursery

My little boy is 2 tomorrow and he's not in nursery. It was a choice for me and my partner made and we've loved having him home with us

We have now put him on a waiting list to go because we think it's time, but it is completely up to you what you do.

Don't feel like you're missing out just because people ask you. If it's working for you, don't fix whats not broken. However it could be a nice few hours to have to yourself if need be 🙂

My boys (coming up to 4 and 5) never went to nursery/preschool. My eldest is 5 in July and started school in September just gone and my youngest her boy is 4 in August and starts primary school in September coming.
They are thriving. The social side of nursery is great but as health and development professionals have told me it’s not essential. I don’t work so love spending my time at home teaching and playing with my littles. Even though sometimes I wish I had that few of hours of alone time a week

They just ask coz it’s a conversation starter. I find other sahm friends generally don’t ask. My 3 kids have never been daycare or nursery, they all started 3yr kinder with the free 12hrs a week my government gives. I compensate that by filling up my days at mothers group and playgroups and library sessions to make mum friends for me and for them to socialise, make play dates 1-2* a week . I have happy confident kids and they’ve had play date buddies from birth and are social extroverts like me and never attended daycare. I’m a “sahm” but I’m actually never home, always out and about somewhere w someone. My husband gives me the time off I need to see friends do hobbies etc he’s my “daycare” whenever I need lol. Some of my working mum friends are envious that I get to take him out every day, they have to work.

When I had my first borns (twins), they didn’t go into nursery until they were about 2.5 - I was a stay-at-home mum at the time and, honestly, I couldn’t afford it anyway.

With my youngest, now 2.5, he started nursery at 22 months, so I’ve experienced both sides.

Nursery can be a really positive environment, but there is also research suggesting that very early and long hours in group care can increase stress levels in younger children, especially under 3.

I think it’s less about one “right” way and more about what works for each family - finances, support, the child’s temperament, and the quality of care all play a part.

There’s no one-size-fits-all here. I think as long as you’re working towards their milestones, supporting their development and educational needs, and making sure they’re socialised, that’s what really matters.

That can happen at home or in a nursery setting — it just depends on the child and the environment.

They ask this to everyone. It is a way to know what you are up to and what your plans are.

At that point mothers are thinking about going back to work or getting another one.

I feel like it’s different strokes for different folks! I sent both my boys to daycare around 2-3 months! One is now 6 months and the other is 3 and can count to 10 in Spanish and know his alphabet in Spanish! (Spanish teacher comes in 3 times a week) Definitely things I couldn’t do at home by myself! And he’s made a ton of friends! People often thinks he’s older because of how smart and independent he is! In the USA you’re paid ALOT more for being bilingual so that’s why. Like I said these are things I COULDNT DO BETTER THAN A TEACHER! So that’s why my boys are there! I say all that to say IF YOU CAN DO ALL THAT AND BABIES ARE HITTING MILESTONES THEN KEEPING THEM HOME WILL WORK but my bestfriend is a preschool teacher (3-4 yr olds) and her biggest hurdle is trying to teach kids who haven’t been to daycare how to hold a pencil and just basic social skills(because they’re just not use to it because they’ve been at home)

BUT DAYCARE IS EXPENSIVE AS HELL! But hey you get what you pay for or what you don’t pay for!

People ask questions regardless of what you choose. My son started daycare when he was around 10 months old and I heard all types of comments like he’s too young, or why don’t you save the money and stay home.
What I’ve found is, any choice you make whether SAHM, working mom etc., someone is gonna always question it. You do what feels best and works best for you.

I think they are just asking to start conversation perhaps. If it’s bothering you maybe do some reflection, is there something you’re worried about? I had my son during midterms at law school and grandparents baby sat him for a few months until my summer break when I stayed home with him. In September he went to daycare at 10 mos and has been with some of the same kids ever since. He is outgoing and independent but definitely has ADHD like his parents. At daycare they paint, go to the beach, the forest, art galleries like so much stuff I would honestly be so tired to do! I just finished law school and will be going straight to articling at a firm but this month I’m off and taking him out of daycare once or twice a week for mommy and baby time. I think whatever works for you is what works best for you both! Try not to take innocuous questions personally, even though I know it’s hard not to. You got this mama!