MIL offering childcare - what would you do?

[charlaw]

My baby is starting nursery next September when I go back to work. I’m going back 3 days and my MIL has offered to have the baby one day a week. I realise it may sound ungrateful but I’m a bit apprehensive as I don’t like the thought of relying on family for childcare and can find her a bit intense at times.
I need to contact the nursery in a couple of weeks to confirm what we require and which days we need and I’m feeling a bit stressed about it. My gut is telling me tell them 3 days and perhaps look at reducing this to 2 in January 2025 once my child has settled in a bit. DH says he doesn’t see the point in wasting money on an extra day of nursery when his mum is happy to have the baby one day.
What are people’s thoughts? Thank you for reading

Nursery every time.

I would definitely do the 3 days nursery. MIL can have toddler on another day as and when to give you a break if you need it. Relying on family is likely to cause arguments/resentment when you aren't all on the same page.

Nursery if you can afford it. My MIL has ours 1 day and I’m grateful but it’s the day that creates the most stress. Once DD turns 3 she is going to nursery instead.

From personal experience I don't rely on MIL. She has offered multiple times even to the point so i could get a part time job saying oh i can help you on the days the kids arent in nursery so you can work and then last minute comes up excuse after excuse and childcare falls through. She sees her grandchildren on days when they aren't in nursery but I'm here if she cancels last minute.

3 days at nursery and MIL can do ad hoc extra days/hours when you need some time off.

Family child care can be great but it can also be very stressful. If MIL does do a nursery day then you all need to be very much on the same page for what happens if MIL is on holiday, has an appointment, wants to go somewhere else, meet friends for lunch, is tired etc on her childcare day.