Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Advice on childcare

4 replies

SMLSML · 27/06/2024 11:46

Long one so bear with me...

We have a 3.5 year old, I normally work 3 days a week, my little one does 2 days at preschool a week and the final day alternating between my mum and mother in law. We've been so lucky to have this set up and are so grateful to both our mums.

We're currently expecting baby 2 any day now and both my husband and I agree his mum probably isn't able to have both children together when I go back to work in 9 months. I love my MIL to bits, however we both think it'll just be too much for her. She regularly falls asleep having our little one on her days if they're watching a film and you can tell she's struggling a lot with the energy required to keep up with a little one which we totally understand. Her health has declined in the last couple of years, along with my in laws getting a dog that wakes them regularly which all contributes to the tiredness.

We've also had a couple of near misses/disagreements in the past over things such as grapes being cut the right way and a toddler fall down the stairs etc. Again, not the end of the world and these things happen but all these things add up. The issue is she won't voluntarily say it's too much (despite knowing herself it will be). How do we approach this? The other issue we'll have is my mum could probably do every Friday but I just know this won't go down well when it's realised, which again I totally understand. For context, my mum is 8 years younger and doesn't have the health conditions. Such a tricky situation to be in...

Just to reiterate, I love my MIL and can't thank her enough, just such a tough one to be in. Part of me just thinks do we suck it up as it's only 2 days a month ultimately but I just know I'd be worried on those days... Any advice gratefully received x

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 27/06/2024 11:49

Easiest way is to put both in permanent childcare.

Then both parents can see them outside of your working days.

If you say that then there is no offence in either direction.

Really the only other option is that the other parent does a day a week and would they really be up for that with two?

PlatinumBlondeBarbie · 27/06/2024 11:55

That’s tough as you’re afraid of offending both sides and I know what that’s like. Could you put both into permanent childcare like the other poster said or maybe a childminder instead of nursery

oustedbymymate · 27/06/2024 11:55

Maybe both into childcare and go from there? Or continue in set up and DC2 goes to childcare?

I have 2 DC. Parents in law are wonderful but too far away to provide childcare. My own mum has health issues and is struggling. She has DC1 one day a week for last three months. He's going to school in September. He goes to childcare 3 days a week DC2 goes to childcare 4 days mum can't manage them both.

For 3 days DC1 and 4 days DC2 we currently pays £860 a month. That's including government 'top up' and 30 free hours. Just wanted to mention it to consider in your decisions

Sprogonthetyne · 27/06/2024 11:56

By the time you go back to work the 3.5yo will be 4 and just a few months off starting school. Do you think she would manage just the baby or would that still be to much?

If you think she'd manage one, you could say you want to up your eldest time at preschool for the last few months, so they're more ready for reception.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread