To NOT feel guilty that my kids are in childcare?

Of course there’s nothing to feel guilty about. I know lots of people find it a struggle to balance everything with children, work and home life, social life.

Do you mind sharing HOW you manage everything? I imagine it gets a little easier once they start school…? I’m a SAHM at the moment and will return to work at some point, possibly in a few years once the youngest starts school. But I’m just not quite sure how it is likely to work. Are your children quite well behaved? Is it simple to get through the morning routine for you and them, drop off and get to work ready for a full-on day? What are the practical challenges and how to you approach it all?

I only felt guilty when it didn't feel like the best thing for my child.

I had my DD in nursery from 11 months, she never cried on drop off, but I could tell she didn't enjoy it.

We moved out of central London and I now have a part time nanny (who my DD ADORES and asks for all the time) and a childminder three days a week who is the loveliest woman. My DD asks to go to her house at weekends and shouts "YAYY!" when we drop her off and she sees the other kids who she's friends with.

I now don't feel guilty whatsoever. But I could always tell she wasn't happy at the other place, and that's what made me feel guilty - not childcare in general.

I feel the same way.

I am always surprised by some of the comments on Mumsnet about mum guilt about this sort of thing, I don't feel at all guilty.

My kids are school age now and go to wraparound and holiday childcare and are absolutely fine and happy with it. They like being with other children.

I love nursery! The messy play alone is worth it.

Had the odd blip, usually when moving rooms but I've never felt guilty. I'd not be a good SAHM, those that do are amazing!

It's less than 200 quid a month now with the funded hours. My salary is up 20k in that time

I am, personally, pleased we just did have 3 days of nursery and we were able to reduce work a bit and were lucky enough to have some grandparent help. But we were lucky that was an option and it suited our child not to be in full time so no shade for different choices.

Nope. DS loved it, it gave me a chance to further my career which has benefitted him in other ways too. It was the right choice for us 100%.

No regrets here either. I’m a teacher so they go term time only. I find the holidays hard and wouldn’t want that to be my life all the time. I’m a much better parent on a part time basis and my child seems to enjoy nursery (hard to tell as he’s only just over a year but he never cries at drop off and they tell me he’s happy every day.)

Mine went 3 days a week. They loved it- had loads of friends, loved the food, loved the activities. I have no regrets about sending them at all