Did you spend a significant amount of time with a childminder?

[Tearsofthemushroom]

Neither my DH or I ever went to a childminder when we were young. Now I am faced with returning to work I was wondering what the MN experience of being at a childminder was? We're they a fun place to be after school or did you resent not being at home with your family?

When I was little my mum was a SAHM. When I was around 11/12, I was a latch-key kid... would let myself into the house and wait for mum or dad to get home. My younger sister went to an after-school club.
This would have been in the mid-late 80s.

Why is it an either/or?

Sometimes a child might not want fun but quiet and space to relax

A school age child would likely be able to process the thought that their parent/s worked for the benefit of the whole family, so your premise that a child would resent not being at home with family doesn't really stack up

Not being confrontational, btw

Hi Tearsofthemushroom will the comments help you to make up your mind about using a cm?

It will either put you off or help you to make up your mind. Childminding has changed so much now, therefore you MAY get comments from those who perhaps did not have a great time.

It may help you more if you ask parents who use childminders what their experience are.

I am a childminder of seven. Some of the kids who come to me would definately prefer to be with their own family, not because I am am not doing my job well but because they would rather be with their own parents. I believe that the parents choose me because they trust me with their little gems.

It will be interesting to read the comments.

Sorry not out to be negative

Sorry me again.

As childminder I am not taking the place of the parent but rather taking care of the child. Being with the childminder will never be the same as being with parents in your own home.

What is the age of your child?

Be fussy who you choose, I would be. That is why I try to give my very best with all the kids I care for.

I have a DS5 and DD6. I have been lucky enough to find a wonderful childminder but she can only do part time. We are in a small village and the only other CM I am not convinced by so I am feeling a bit stuck really when it comes to getting back into a proper career.

Would you look for a nanny?

I went to a childminder when i was young, i only have fond memories of being at 'auntie' mollys.

Both dd and ds1 have been to (different) childminders and its been a good experience for both of them.
Ds2 had his first session with CM today and was happy and smiling when i left and when i came back, he will also go to creche for some of the week.

I never resented not being with my family and both my older dcs have great memories of their CMs

I went to a child minder

(auntie Gill -think all childminders in the 80s were auntie something)

I enjoyed it until I was about 7/8 but then decided that I was fed up being with all the little kids and the babies as a lot of the CMs attention was taken up with the little ones and the older ones were left more to entertain ourselves

My DCs go to wrap around care and my oldest started grumbling at 9yo -about being with all the younger kids!

but she is old enough to understand that I HAVE to go out to work

I didn't go to a childminder but I send DD 2 days a week (I run a business from home and need time to do paperwork/see clients/do the cleaning & laundry). She is very happy there.

Maybe look further afield for someone you trust? I travel to my CM because she's fantastic and I trust her 101% with DD - she was recommended to me by a close friend and as soon as DH and I walked into her house we just felt comfortable and trusted her (having previously looked around a nursery that was also recommended by a friend and which made our stomachs lurch with dread at the thought of sending DD there!)

If you don't feel 100% about the CM who is available, I would look at other options tbh. Au pair? Nanny? Drive to a further location?

I did and I loved it my kids go to one - and they are very happy- are there no other opition - afterschool clubs - or lots of the mums at my school start early and finish early - some days a week? Depends on your job really - I have to say that my DS 6 would probably not want to go every day before and after school

Have to say that this aspect was not something I considered when we upped sticks two years ago and moved to the country! I am thinking that my most sensible decision is to try to get into a larger company on lower hours/pay and them impress them so much that they are prepared to promote me on part time hours