bad mother or good for her?

[dawno]

putting my 15month in nursery 1 day per week because only sees other children at play group 1 hour a week and not very good with other children, am I going down the wrong path with her or just beating myself up?

dd1 cried most days at nursery

she hated it and yes loads of people said 'what do you expect you kept her at home with you for ages'

but as I have said, she took to school really really well and tbh, nursery and school are completely different and require a whole new set of skills.

I would say if your dd is happy with you then don't change things just yet and don't worry about her not seeing much of other children. If that is the only reason for starting nursery I don't think you need to worry.

My ds1 started playgroup two mornings a week at age 3 and he settled in fine. He has cousins so he did get to see other children but I honestly don't think that at the pre-3 age it makes a great deal of difference. My personal view, for myself, is that at this age the focus should be on creating a very secure attachment with the parent. The socialisation aspect is secondary at this age.

Ds2 is now 2. Obviously he has ds1 to play with but I still keep getting comments about how he must get bored at home and should go to nursery. Well he doesn't get bored he has a brother and when ds1 is at nursery I get valuable one-to-one time with ds2.

I think a lot of it is to do with the child's personality and as a Mum you know how your child is going to separate. When DS was a baby I did not enjoy working knowing he was that little and in a nursery when I wanted to be with him at home but unfortunately could not afford to do this and so he had to go for 2 full days but now he is really happy with separation and can't wait to go to nursery.

DD was at home with me until about 15 months and she did not settle into nursery as well as DS has, but she is not as confident as DS and needs reassurance.

What are your thoughts now dawno ?
I agree with Pruni.

My son goes to nursery 2 1/2 days a week, as I work.
He is 2.

Has been going since 6 mths.
He LOVES it and is totally stimulated and not tired or irritable at all.
Does pick up quite a lot of illnesses though.

I am very close to three mums from post natal group and the 4 children meet regularly.

But ds only plays "alongside " the other 4 and they can not really be described as 'friends'.
I think that you will find that this is normal.

Two 1/2 days may be better.
Or maybe nursery is not for you.
What do you think ?