To feel like an outcast because my child is the only child who doesn't go to nursery school all day :(

[rainbowprincesschapell]

Gosh i am in floods of tears and i know this IS unreasonable reaction. My DD attends a small school in the Nursery for half days and is 3.5. I am currently a single parent on LCWRA the reasons i won't go into but have posted before.

It seems like now the new rules have come in (which i know are great) she is the only one coming home at lunch time. Even if she did qualify for 30 hours we are happy with half days.

I feel like such a failure. Like i have a label on my head and she on hers.

we would both rather be at home together until she starts school next september. In some ways want her to grow up but obviously i do. we do enriching activities durning the afternoon. Her Dad does work more than full time but we are not together. Would she be better with him i don't know.

Is anyone else in this situation please that feels similar?

Seems like an ideal set up to me at least OP. Quality time with you and then having fun and socialising with peers, getting used to being with other adults and a little bit of preparation for Reception.

I’ll only be sending my DD mornings.

there are loads of kids who are not in nursery full time. some not at all.

usually, the full time hours are due to parents having to work full time. It's rarely choice. I would have loved to be able to pick up the DC so early and do things with them. It's a privilege and nothing to cry about.

Fair point, I read she had a son, just googled and he sadly died.

I send my youngest for the 15 funded hours. And did with my others too. I have never felt self conscious about it and you shouldn’t either! Literally no one will have even realised or if they have, no one will be like ‘oh my gosh the mum mustn’t work shame on her’. It’s not a thing! Don’t over think it.
just enjoy the nice balance that you have at the moment.

We had enough money that I was able to stay at home with our child. We will send him to a playgroup for half days and maybe work up to a few full days to get him ready for school. I imagine this is quite common, why would anyone know you're on benefits and not a SAHM?