to continue to send DD to nursery 2 days a week when I dont work anymore?

[Boobalina]

I lost my job at the beginning of the year so kept my DS in preschool and DD in nursery 2 days a week to keep their nursery places open whilst looking for work.

DS has now started primary school and DD still goes to her nursery for 2 days a week. I havent been able to find any P/T work still.

I have an angst-y dilemma - do I keep DD in nursery where she loves her careers and little mates and also keeps her place open should I get work.

or

Take DD out and save money whilst I am not working but take her away from her little friends (she is 2).

When she is at nursery I use the time to do all housework, shopping, laundry etc...

Is there a possibility you could send her to a playgroup or pre school a few mornings a week instead so that she got her socialising and you get time to job hunt/do housework?

Didn't mean to come across as rude more sceptical.

I think it was the certainty with which you said that a two year old would be better off at home for two days (14 hours) in the week rather than being at nursery.

Whilst you can always find studies/research to support either side I honestly think that many two year olds enjoy nursery and when they are 3 most tend to go part time anyway.

So this would be like a transition to this.

I honestly can't see what's wrong with that and to say otherwise is possibly more about the mothers needs than the child's.

of course if the child seemed distressed or unhappy then possibly rethink.

My ds's esp ds2 seemed very happy at their nurseries and again ds2 in particular is a very affectionate mummys boy - we have a very strong bond. DS1 is a different type of personality - more self contained.

My dcs are slightly older 13 and 8 and I can't see much difference between their behaviour and those of SAHM. I think possibly home background and environmental factors play a larger part.

slowreader- I personally think that if her DD is already settled in Nursery then taking her out and then putting her back in again would upset her more.

I can't see why it is a dilema- making the best of a bad situation and ensuring stability and continuity for a child?

I am a SAHM btw whose 2 year ols goes to Nursery 3 mornings a week where he gets play and attention while I do the housework etc. Much better life for him than being stuck in front of the telly or playing alone.

Slowreader - my DD is at home 5 full days a week and at nursery 2 days a week from 9 to 4pm and then with us straight after that..... I think in percentage terms she spends far more time in a home environment that out of it...

DD is very happy at nursery and is a bit of afavourite with the carers as she is SO easy going and happy. We would have more moeny if she didnt go and money is tight but then there are so many benefits too - happy DD + happy mummy = happy family...

well, if you're happy boobalina and not going to take her out, there's no thread

I gave my opinion based on what I think is best for a child of two and what I would do.

boobalina, whatever slowreader thinks is best for a child of 2 (she is entitled to her view whatever she might base it on) has no bearing on what is best for your dd and you as individuals and as a family. Sounds like nursery is working for you and dd .

Why not just one day if money is a prob? Our nursery don't do half days either which is a pain but my little one is entitled to EYEE hours which means i just have to top up the payment for hours around the sessions. If i had to pay full day i'd just do one day in my personal position. I do two as i go to college one day a week and the other day is my own 'rest' day which i agree is much needed but not a neccessity if you get what i mean. I really appreciate my day off and DD loves her days at nursery so that is my decider on it.

Just my own opinion but i hope it helps - sod anyone elses critisism if you didn't ask for it - do what is right for you and your DD

TBH i think if the kiddies enjoy it and you can afford it, it is no harm for a day or two a week. I think the LO's benefit as they often come home as good as gold, eager to tell you what they have been up too and it's lovely to hear it too.

I know with my DD (but she is 3.5) can get a bit fed up with 24/7 with mummy and doing the mummy stuff like shopping, dr's, hairdressers and so on and so on so it's great for her to have a break from me too as well as me have a little break from her to do these things. It also gives my patience a break too as 3yr olds can drive you crazy sometimes.

My god does she come back so much more loving too though - she is here right now snuggled up on the sofa watching beauty and the beast movie with me. Something she isn't so fond of doing on many other days.

My DD is great in general and i keep her well entertained but she does love her nursery days, some days she doesn't want to go in because she'd rather stay with mummy but she ALWAYS comes out beaming from ear to ear telling me all the fun things she has been up to so i know i have made the right decision for her as well as me.

I was made redundant a couple of months ago and have kept dd in for 1 day a week (previously she was in for 3). This works for me as I have time to do stuff (you know how it goes, housework, chores, interviews, just sitting down and relaxing sometimes!) and I figure if I actually manage to get another job it won't be such a shock to the system for her to increase the days. Actually this week she's in 3 as I'm doing some unpaid work experience in another field and she's been fine (I'm shattered though!!)

Leave her in for two if you're happy with that, one if you think that's enough. Do what is best for you!