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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband thinks 4.5 months old is ok to go to Nursery full time

390 replies

plplz · 13/08/2020 20:54

So I have a 12 week old lovely girl. But I'm not on maternity leave, I'm unemployed. I got an amazing job offer but issue is they want to me to start when DD will be about 20 weeks old.

My girl is EBF and refusing the bottle. She screams and cries and I can't stand hearing her so upset, so naturally I'm feeling very terrible about the prospect of starting a role and putting her in nursery so young, with her struggling with the bottle and feeling so well on the breast.

Husband thinks sending her to nursery so small is fine, but I just can't stand the idea.

Who is unreasonable here? Is 4.5 months really too small for her to go into nursery? I feel bloody selfish.

OP posts:
cheeseychovolate · 18/08/2020 08:24

If your husband will be earning less could he go part time?

IndieTara · 18/08/2020 08:32

I put my DD into nursery at 4 months old as I had to go back to work, single parent though.

Snog · 18/08/2020 08:37

Could DH go part time or give up work to be a SAHD?

RaspberryRuff · 18/08/2020 08:41

It’s not an idea situation but these are not ideal times. If you turn the job down how easily will you get another one? Ultimately it depends on how much you need the money and to work. If you do then I think you’ll probably need to go for it but maybe a CM would be better as others have said.

prettybird · 18/08/2020 08:47

If it helps, the lovely sister at the maternity hospital (which I was in twice after having ds: when ds was born obviously Wink for 5 days as he developed jaundice and needed light therapy and then 2 weeks later as I developed a bad infection from one of my cats, we think, long story Confused and was on IV antibiotics for a week Shock) told me that it was actually easier at c4 months than at 6 months or more because as they get older, they're doing more things so you will miss them more.

And that babies are perfectly capable of being attached to more than one person - in fact historically and anthropologically, that was normal, with other family members helping out.

So a good child minder, nursery or nanny will not cause any damage to the child, who will adapt and actually probably be more adaptable. Any "damage" is more likely to come from changes in the way that you deal with her - but I'm sure you'll love her just as much, so that won't be an issue Smile

Think of it purely mathematically: if she wakes up at the crack of dawn, you'll be seeing her for x hours in the morning and then again in the evening for y hours. And she'll be sleeping for z hours during the day. If you're breastfeeding, you get the best snuggle time Smile (Can't talk from experience about overnight feeds as ds slept through from really early Grin).

The other way to look at a nanny taking up 60%, even a 100% of your salary (after additional costs) is that it's a short term investment to get your career going again: in a year/18 months' time, you might be happier with the idea of a good Wink nursery or childminder.

The other good bit of advice that my best friend gave me (her dh and she are GPs and they had 4 kids, the last one with special needs) was not to worry about missing "key" moments because what matter is the first time you see or hear that key moment. She had a nanny (I think over the years she went through 4 but the first still a much loved "aunt" and the rest are all still in contact) - but in Wales, that wasn't too expensive Wink Her children are all grown up now and are well adjusted, confident young people (a doctor, a lawyer and a pharmacist and the 4th one was doing well in supported "independent" living pre-Covid but is back at home for the moment).

Another thing my lovely mum told me was that no-one can make me feel guilty and to have confidence in my own decisions.

I'm sure you will come up with the right decision for you Smile, your dd Smile and your dh Smile - your own wee family unit.

Don't let others judge you - only you can work out what is right for your family unit.

All the best, whatever you decide Thanks

MostlyAmbridgeandcoffee · 18/08/2020 08:51

Maybe a childminder or nanny would be a better option for the first few months? May be more expensive but you’ll have the job and in a few months time may be more ready for a nursery?

Brefugee · 18/08/2020 08:55

can your husband take parental leave so you can take the job?

The age is fine for me, but it depends if you're going to be worrying at work about the baby.

However, sometimes as a parent you have to step up and make uncomfortable decisions to do the best for your family. If taking the extra money this job brings is best for your family - I'd do it.

EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide · 18/08/2020 08:56

Personally I feel its too young, but if needs must then your daughter will be OK. My step daughter is 16 and she went to nursery full time from 4 months old and she is a brilliant kid.

LannieDuck · 18/08/2020 08:57

the money is good, better than husband's salary!

Glad he's looking at parental / paternity leave.

Given he's on 40% less than you, would he consider going PT to deal with DC going fwd? Be aware that there will be months of illness to cover once LO starts nursery.

It always frustrates me that there are so many threads on here where the woman sacrifices her career so easily 'because he earns more than me', but it so rarely happens the other way around.

whycantIthinkofadecentusername · 18/08/2020 09:02

It is absolutely up to you when you feel comfortable to do it.

I went back to work with DS was 11 weeks old, so he went to nursery from then. However, the nursery was on site where I worked. I could look out the window by my desk and see him.

I was ok with that and he enjoyed being there. But please don't feel forced into anything. That worked for us as a family, but is not suitable for everyone.

quebechouse · 18/08/2020 09:15

'We're looking at Nanny options but in London good lord the prices, I don't think we're on that good a wicket. It will be 60% of my salary maybe more. After we take out the mortgage and other costs I'd basically working to fund DD's nanny. Gutted!

I might have to get myself used to nursery.'
💔

Please try not to look at it as a percentage of your salary only. You and your DH are both parents, so the cost of looking after your baby should be seen as a percentage of both your wages.

That might help to soften the blow a bit Smile

Blackbear19 · 18/08/2020 10:48

My DD wakes up at the crack of dawn, if you have tips on how to get a baby to sleep so long please share

Only works if BFing, feed them at crack of dawn, and let them go back to sleep. Alternatively keep them up in the evening which gives you more time with them.

My friend used to moan about her DD being up early at 6am, she went to bed at 6.30.
On a normal day by time I've collected both kids I'm not home until 6, kids need fed, bath, story and bed, they are rarely in bed before 8.30.

Blackbear19 · 18/08/2020 10:52

Another way to view it as you live off DHs salary so he pays mortgage and bills.

Your money is bonus money you pay the nanny and what's left is fun money for you all.

angieloumc · 18/08/2020 11:03

Can your husband take some leave so your DD isn't there full time?
My DD (now 16) went to full time nursery at 4 months. I was due to go back to work when she was 5 months but my lovely dad became very ill very quickly so needed her in care.
Your DD will be fine!

pinkyredrose · 19/08/2020 08:47

Another way to view it as you live off DHs salary so he pays mortgage and bills.
Your money is bonus money you pay the nanny and what's left is fun money for you all

Hmm Strike one for equality! Surely all income is household income? She'll be earning more than him anyway.

NoSquirrels · 19/08/2020 16:47

It will be 60% of my salary maybe more. After we take out the mortgage and other costs I'd basically working to fund DD's nanny. Gutted!

Not sure how you’ve figured this - presumably you’re already paying the mortgage and ‘other costs’ (apart from any extra commute etc for you) from your DH’s salary? So yes, a nanny is an expensive form of childcare to guarantee 1-1 attention but 60% of your salary leaves 40% which is a big uptick overall. Even with commute costs etc you’re left with a lot and you cannot underestimate how much less stressful fir you and your DH a nanny will be.

If you could afford to be a SAHM on your DH’s salary alone, you can afford to have a nanny especially if you’ll be out-earning your DH.

It’s fine to choose not to - it is expensive so maybe you would prefer nursery in the end. But don’t tell yourself it’s unaffordable as I can’t see how that could possibly be the case.

Redcrayons · 19/08/2020 17:18

When I first went back to work I was roughly £20 per month better off after nursery fees. I’d treat myself to a boys meal deal every Friday with it Grin.
However I also got NI contributions and pension contributions A year later I got a smallish pay rise so I was slightly better off. 3 years later I got made redundant and got 10 years worth of redundancy pay. I had no gaps in my CV so I secured a new role relatively easily.
You have to consider all the benefits of working, not just the money going into the bank.

It’s not easy juggling nursery and work and I won’t pretend I didn’t wake up some days and wonder why I was even bothering.

LannieDuck · 19/08/2020 19:17

It will be 60% of my salary maybe more. After we take out the mortgage and other costs I'd basically working to fund DD's nanny. Gutted!

You earn 40% more than your DH. If the nanny would cost 60% of your salary, they would cost ALL of DH's salary.

Why aren't you framing this as he'd be working to fund DD's nanny? Maybe he should consider becoming a SAHD?

Embracelife · 20/08/2020 22:48

Cost of nanny is from your joint salaries
Not just one parent
Add on benefits of pension contributions and NI
It s for the long term

plplz · 13/09/2020 20:20

So have decided to go with a nursery that seems nice. Having our settle in sessions and pumping with a hospital pump! Let the fun begin.

Out of interest, how the hell do people do this morning routine?! I have been at it for 2 days of "dry runs" and barely get out of the house on time. Let alone manage hair and make up.

Any tips on routines and how to do all this without waking at 4am?

OP posts:
Jamhandprints · 13/09/2020 20:23

No way. If ypu really want the job, maybe a nanny who can care for her in your home and bring her to your workplace at lunch time for a quick feed.

Jamhandprints · 13/09/2020 20:25

Also for you to go from full time breast feeding to no more contact 4 months after giving birth could be devastating.

HavelockVetinari · 13/09/2020 20:25

Why is your DH not taking shared parental leave?? It seems awful to let a 4 month old spend 50 hours a week in nursery rather than take 3 months unpaid and allow his wife to begin a lucrative and important job! She'll spend more awake hours in nursery than with her parents Sad

Jamhandprints · 13/09/2020 20:26

Sorry, just read your update. I hope you enjoy your job.

HavelockVetinari · 13/09/2020 20:26

@Jamhandprints

No way. If ypu really want the job, maybe a nanny who can care for her in your home and bring her to your workplace at lunch time for a quick feed.
This. A nanny is a much better option than a nursery for a child under 1.
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