I have two boys, 6 and 3. I work two days a week and my younger child goes to childcare on those days and my older to out of school care. Both out of school care and childcare are very good. I am considering getting a nanny for a couple of reasons. Firstly, my younger child doesn't want to go to childcare any more - although it seems that he is fine once he has settled in for the day and he has some lovely friends. Every day he will say "i don't want to go childcare" (even on his non childcare days). Secondly, I live overseas, have a husband who is regularly away and who has a career that does not allow him to take time off if I am sick or there are issues with the children. All my family are back in the UK so I have no family support. As a result, after six years I am just so tired of never having anyone I can turn to for practical help when things go pear shaped. I think if I employ a nanny permanently who is able to offer extra hours when needed then i will have another source of childcare support.
But:
Am I crazy?
How stressful is the whole nanny/ employer relationship?
Will my younger son pine for childcare - will he miss his friends?
Will he lose all his social skills and be unprepared for kindy next year?
Will I really get the extra support I want?
Please help!