Full days or half days while on mat leave?

[gingerpolly]

DS is 3, nearly 4, and goes to a private nursery 2 full days a week. This currently works for us as my partner and I both work long hours.

DD is due in a couple of months - I'll be on mat leave for over a year, and by the time I go back to work, DS will have started school. For a few reasons we're contemplating moving DS to a school nursery once I'm on mat leave - ideally the one connected to the infant school he'll hopefully go to. This thought was largely instigated by the fact that DS doesn't seem happy at his current nursery, and we're not over the moon about the way they've handled some things recently. However, this would mean changing his hours to 5 mornings rather than 2 long days a week.

I'm thinking the pros would be that I'd have a bit of time each day to just sit and breastfeed the new baby/sleep when she sleeps if it's been a rough night. I'm also really bad at getting us up and out if we haven't already made plans, so at least it means that every day we'd all be up and dressed by half 8. I could go to groups in the morning with the baby, then we could all go out together in the afternoons (or have a chill at home, knowing that at least DS has had some social interaction/time outside).

The cons would be that I'd have to get us all up and out by half 8! And we also wouldn't be able to have any long days out or nights away staying with friends or family in the week (although I don't know how much I'd be up for that on my own with a 4 year old and newborn anyway?!)

I think I'm leaning toward 5 half days, but would love any thoughts.

You can still have days out and holidays, you just need to let the preschool know he won't be in.

I'd go for the half days if it was me, depending on how long a school run. Could your husband do any of the drop offs?

Ah that's a good point about days out and holidays.

I'd have to do all the drop offs as he's in work early, but it's a 5/10 minute walk so ideal for bundling baby in the pram and hopefully she'll nap! Thanks!

I'd go for the five half days. I think it will be easier for everyone, particularly DS, to have a clear routine, which doing the same thing every weekday will give you.

As pp said, it's not like he's school age, if you want to take him away for a few days, you can.

Personally I prefer full days as half days always feel to me like you don't really have that much time to really do much. DD(3) does 3 full days and I had a baby 3 months ago and it's worked really well for having time to spend with DD2 but two full days with them both where we can take part in toddler classes and stuff, which tend to be in the mornings.