MIL and childcare for baby no 2
Current scenario, my MIL has my 19mo at my house one day a week. For baby no 2, the thought of her coming over every Monday whilst I’m on mat leave gives me so much anxiery. Hormones, trying to bond with baby and also being able to have an extra day with my older son (I work full time at the mo) is really important to me, but I know it will cause issues.
Has anyone else navigated this? And what did you do?
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Can you just explain it that you are excited to have more time with your older son now that you are on maternity leave, and so won't be needing the weekly childcare. Perhaps you could organise something less anxiety-inducing like you all going to the park instead so she still gets to see him but it's not so invasive?
Maybe just explain that while you don’t need her help with childcare all day would she still like to keep to the routine and do something during the week with your oldest even if it’s a couple of hours or ask if she could watch the baby while you spend time with your oldest like go swimming ect when your ready. Is there a reason it’s at your house?
Idk, you might find you appreciate having the one on one time with the baby, she could be invaluable there to watch toddler while you nap, shower, whatever. Your toddler might also like the consistency of still spending time with her. I do think it would potentially be hard for them both, obviously it's yours and your husband's decision at the end of the day and she will need to respect that but I'd personally hold off on making big decisions about it for now, I'd wait and see how it goes. If you decide you do want to cancel her id handle it gently, consider alternative times she would still be able to see him, maybe less frequently but still regularly, you know? Another alternative could be having her over every other Monday?
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