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What do you think would be best for my DS?

11 replies

fresiacove · 17/01/2023 15:47

I’m a self-employed freelancer about to take on a long term client. They need me to commute to their office in London for one full day a week. The rest of the contracted hours I can work into my schedule and around DS nursery.

He is currently in from 8am-1pm Mon-Fri, and with me in the afternoons. I’m hoping to get advice on what you think would be the least disruptive and kindest to him:

A. Extend his half day at nursery to a full day (worried about him not napping long enough but only once a week hopefully not detrimental) and have him do just one full day a week.
B. Have a nanny get him from nursery at 1pm and look after him at home until 7pm.
C. Cancel that day at nursery and have a nanny one full day a week, 7am-7pm.

Is it even likely to find a good nanny for such limited hours one day a week?

DH and I also would love to spend more time together. We’ve been wanting to get in a date night once a week or fortnightly and wondering if this is an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone — if we go the nanny route and then have them look after him until 10 pm on that day? But I would feel sad barley seeing DS at all one day a week and worried he is too young to understand/might feel abandoned not seeing us all day?

What would you do/think is best?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
GreenLeavesRustling · 17/01/2023 15:48

A

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 17/01/2023 15:48

Option A

He already knows the people and environment, if he's settled there then that will be the easiest transition and less faff all round.

Comedycook · 17/01/2023 15:49

A

jannier · 17/01/2023 17:36

Nursery

NuffSaidSam · 17/01/2023 19:57

Normally I'd say a nanny is better for a small child, but given that's he's already settled at the nursery and will continue to go in the morning it will be much easier to just extend his hours at nursery.

Get a babysitter so you can go out in the evenings. If it's allowed, ask at the nursery.

fresiacove · 17/01/2023 20:03

Unanimous - a first on MN? Smile - thanks all

OP posts:
Marblessolveeverything · 17/01/2023 20:04

I would suggest A. Also I would avoid date night being the same day as the commute, you will be tired, miss your son and more likely to not prioritise it. Another evening you will enjoy it more.

skgnome · 17/01/2023 20:06

Another vote for A
ask the nursery staff if they are allowed / willing to babysit for your date night - usually more than one is

milkymeg · 17/01/2023 20:18

I think you'll find he'll settle to the change in routine very quickly in the same place 😊

sunshinesobeautiful · 17/01/2023 20:22

Definitely A
I think a nanny for such limited hours would just be confusing for your DS.

SunshineClouds1 · 17/01/2023 21:59

A.

Agree with pp asking nursery staff if they babysit!

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