WIBU to drop off 6 month old at nursery at 7 even though I don't start work til 9

[Katlow]

Going back to work tomorrow and LO is 6 months old. He's going to nursery a maximum of 3 days a week but it's going to depend on how my husbands shifts fall. I've got no idea what to expect at drop off. I was considering dropping him off early to avoid the hustle and bustle as nursery have said its 'mad' in the morning.
I was thinking I could throw some joggers and a jumper on and drop him off at around 7/7.30 then come home and get ready for work properly.
But then he's woken up this morning (he's usually up at 7) and he's so happy to see me. I don't know how I'd feel about literally getting him up and dressed then straight out the door. :(
How long does nursery drop off usually take? To get in the building etc. I'm so nervous and feeling a little bit guilty.
Bonus points for any answers which tell me how much your 6 month old loved nursery.

@Navigationcentral I posted too soon
The brilliant thing is you imbue your children with unconditional love and you demonstrate your positivity to them. That’s powerful. You’ve made an active career choice that’s empowering. Neither you nor your children are in pieces regard your choices

6months is too young for extra hours in nursery for no good reason, it's too young for long days in nursery full stop. No baby loves nursery I'm afraid OP, they tolerate it and some adapt quicker than others but it's never ideal. I know people hate hearing that but I think it does women and children no favours to pretend the system isn't working against us. It's bad for babies. I put my DDs in childcare two days per week from 1&2 just because I wanted a break so I'm not trying to make anyone feel guilty! But I was under no illusions that it was "good" for them. Though they never cried and settled fine they still would have been better off at home with me/family but we do what we have to do to survive - be that mentally or financially. I think we should be honest about it though as until we are maternity/parental leave conditions won't improve.

You forgot to say gavel. Or is full stop the new gavel
In your opinion 6mth it’s too young so don’t pursue that option. But don’t Rock on in making definite statements about what other women do

Are you aware local authority and health use nursery to support families and children for the specific reason it is good. It’s enhances social,emotional, linguistic development
Nursery is stimulating
Nursery is beneficial
It is structured and educational

@EspressoDoubleShot

How are a familiar group of nursery nurses who are seen daily actually strangers *@lavenderlemon*. Surely the weekday attendance and proximity of staff renders them as familiar not strangers Having such an emotionally wraught agenda doesn’t help op it only flags up your strongly held opinion. I personally pay a lot of money for strangers to watch the children.

How well do you actually know the nursery workers? You see them for a maximum of say 5 minutes at each drop off and pick up. Yes your baby will eventually recognise their faces but the nursery's staff will often change rooms/days that they work.

Nurseries are essential for parents to work. My 4 yo went to nursery before she started school. But not at 6 months old for 12 hours a day when she didn't need to be there.

Strangers are by definition unknown. Familiar Staff group are by definition not strangers.
What was essential and worked for you is a personal choice you made
Essential for me was FT 7-6 nursery i chose that to maintain my career

@lemonyfox

If he's 6m now have you started weaning? As I'd be inclined to keep him with you for those few hours in the morning so you can try him out with different foods/purées/BLW whatever you're doing

That doesn’t have to be in the morning! Stop trying to make them feel guilty about dropping the babe off early. Ffs

Do what is best for your baby. You know what that is, deep down.

If you and your child and family who cares what others think. As others have said try early mornings and if it doesn’t work drop them or mix them up.
I own a small nursery and I love my job although regardless of what some people think I’ll never be a millionaire. I also feel like I do my bit to support those mums, who like me work, and I try to make their lives easier as I know how bloody hard it can be. I don’t lie to parents and stage photos and I often feel privileged that parents trust me enough to care for their child and take this very seriously but like with everything there are good and bad settings.
The choice is personal and neither is wrong but instead of judging let’s watch each other’s back as women and stand together. How very boring if we were all the same.
Enjoy your children when you are with them as they soon grow up whether it be an hour a day or 12.

A ringing endorsement then@Sheerdetermination. My baby loves nursery. I know that deep down

@EspressoDoubleShot doth protest too much?

Or no I’m agreeing with your woohoo dig deep guru advice. It’s very ommm

All these babies in nursery for longer than 10 hours a day 😟

Yes that is correct 10+ long hours with strangers.

They aren't strangers once they get to know them

Chucked there, too.

Nursery Staff are Deemed to be strangers. Strangers who spend10hr a day ignoring the children

Chucked, like a rugby ball

@EspressoDoubleShot

Chucked, like a rugby ball

You seem very oversensitive about this. Are you perhaps holding on to some guilt for leaving you own babies with strangers all day?

Op asked for opinions. Of course there will be very varied opinions on this.

Chucked like a heavy overcoat,does that work better for you if rugby doesn’t cut it

My twins have started nursery. I was so nervous, they are 8 months and are going through some stranger anxiety - they will be unsettled with new people, cry etc. After 3 - 4 days both greeted their key worker at the door with a smile, they really don't do that if they don't know the person or have not taken to them. They come out with big smiles to see me , but also happy in general (and tired!).

The nursery is a fortune, but they seem happy there. They are babbling more, one twin clapped!, and generally lively. I am a very nervous and anxious parent, and it is a shame mums are made to feel guilty about sending kids to nursery. I feel it really can provide a lot of development that I just can't manage to do on my own for them both.

That’s lovely to hear your children are thriving at nursery @SS1983

I roll mine in like a bowling ball. 10 points if I can knock down the strangers like skittles. The noise of them falling drowns out the cries of “No mummy no, not more earning potential!”

Skittles I like it. They’re bendy and malleable at that age.
Screams will disguise their overwrought crying
Did I mention my babies first word was Money!Money! Not mummy. I was so proud

@EspressoDoubleShot thank you!

It’s hard to read some of these threads. I have found being a mum of twins incredibly tough and don’t deny that. During Covid and having twins I was so nervous to take both out to classes or in general. I spent all my time with them , playing at home, walks, coffee dates with other mums and babies mainly. I was exhausted. Some might say that’s being a good mum, but having them started at nursery and getting exposed to other babies and activities seems to be helping ! They are going to be going in for two sessions a week (half day) a month before I go back to work. Then full time when I do return in November. Whilst they have been settling at nursery I miss them dearly, but I also get some time to recharge, and am not utterly exhausted - so have much more energy for them.

They have been with me for 8 months , but they don’t scream when I leave them, and I was always able to do small things even at home and they played. Does that mean they don’t miss me? I feel like it does reading some of these posts. My husband often got the big smiles in middle of the day when he walked in as he wasn’t with them 24/7. I always got in the morning but I’m pretty sure during the day they had seen enough of me and I didn’t ! It’s nice to see that when I pick them up !

But yes, I have to send them to nursery nearly full time when I go back because of work. I want to work and I work for them. It’s a shame to be made to feel bad about that. Didn’t realise there was a direct correlation between how much you care for your child vs how many hours you are with them

I own and run a successful nursery. Some of these comments sicken me. Please don’t feel guilty about using a nursery for your children. Research them, ask on local community groups, visit them more than once….the staff who look after the young babies in my setting are anything other than strangers. The delighted squeals the children give if they see a member of staff out shopping, staff have been asked to be god-parents, the heartfelt gifts and letters which are received at Christmas or when they leave, the tales of children begging to come back to see us after they have gone to school, the recommendations that existing parents give to prospective parents, describing us as extended family, wedding invitations. Even, when we have had to deal with the absolute devastation of a sudden death of a parent, being told that the child was returning the very next day as they knew the child was “loved”. We are NOT strangers.