Feeling guilty - need some reassurance that I'm not being a cow, really!!!

[JonesTheSteam]

DS (3) currently goes to a pre-school 3 mornings a week.

This morning I have put him down for another morning session starting next week.

I'm feeling so guilty about it, now that I've done it. DD only ever did 3 mornings a week until she started state nursery.

My reasons for doing it :-

(1) He missed starting state nursery by just under 3 weeks (his birthday is in middle of September) and I feel that as he is older he needs the company of older children, and perhaps a bit more structure to his day.

(2) I childmind my nephew (18m old) 3 days a week, and I'm finding it exhausting. I just feel like I need an extra 2.5 hours on my own to get house straight, do food shopping in peace, occasionally have some time to myself.

(3) Since I've been looking after my nephew, DS has definitely become younger in his behaviour again - calling me Mama (cos that's all nephew can say atm), using a dummy more often (sneaking it when my back is turned), moaning and whinging more, walking like a toddler, etc.

But I feel guilty that I should be looking forward to having a whole day of him to myself until DD comes home from school. That maybe he won't have enough time with me just to himself (will have two afternoons a week).

Am I being a crap mum?

[Bucketsofdynomite]

I had the opposite, DD started off on 5 afternoons a week and I couldn't handle the commitment and cancelled one. She loves her pre-school and could easily have managed it but I needed a slower transition to daily school (she starts Spetember.) So by that logic DS will probably go 5 days a week to pre-school because I'll be more organised then!

[hockeypuck]

Jones, you're not being a crap mum at all. If you are happier and he is in the company of children his age having fun then you will all benefit, you'll have more patience and time with him when he comes home.

My DD was in nursery 5 days right from the age of 3 (because she is an end of August birthday - so shes the youngest) so your son being in there 4 mornings is more than appropriate for his age.

Don't feel bad, you'll probably be a better mum to him for it, and he'll have loads of fun!

[JonesTheSteam]

Thanks.

I'm finding it a strain looking after my nephew TBH. And I do hate the fact that DS is becoming more babyish again. I hope that spending more time with children his own age will curb that.

I am still worried that I'm being a little selfish though, that maybe it's not fair that he has me so little to himself.