2 year old really grumpy - maybe I made mistake by not sending her to nursery?

[daisychainmail]

My 2 year old DD is looked after by me and my husband in turns at home apart from two afternoons when she goes to a friend. We organised this very carefully and deliberately as we thought it would be best for her. We both work full-time (flexible hours) so it is a very tight ship. I was proud of our decision.

However, recently she seems bored and (I'm not sure if you can say this) but a bit naughty. She gets quite annoyed with me and always asks to see her friends (she does at least one thing a day with other kids). I'm getting to the point where I wonder if she'd prefer going to nursery every day. We're not rich and paying for that would really stretch her, but sometimes she seems so bored. At other times she is happy and cheerful though.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

I should add she is a very energetic and cheerful child with lots of social enthusiasm. She's not at all clingy and is very glad to meet new people and considerate with her friends. I used to think that she was like this because we'd looked after her ourselves, but now I wonder if it means she would rather be at nursery. Iyswim. So confused!!

My oldest DS absolutely loved nursery from 2. He went three mornings a week and woke up every day asking if it was a nursery day He's the same with school - confident, sociable and enthusiastic.

Maybe try pre-school a couple of mornings and see how she gets on?

It seems very hard to get three mornings where we live - the whole thing seems geared towards workaholics. I.e. full-time or nothing, or maybe 5 mornings. But it's a good idea. Then it's not a long slog, and they don't have to have their nap somewhere weird. The other factor is I'm expecting no. 2 in six months, and so unsure about whether we'd want to keep paying out for nursery when I was on leave...

She does sound like she would really like nursery, if you can afford to send her even a bit. The great thing about nursery is they have lots more stuff, more kids and they can do activities that would be difficult at home, so it does keep them entertained.

Maybe look at pre-schools, playgroups and children's centres rather than daycare nurseries.

If you can afford to keep up a couple of days at nursery when you have the next baby absolutely do, you will really appreciate it.

Sorry original post should say paying for nursery would really stretch us, not her! I'm not expecting her to pay for it

My dd absolutely loves nursery to bits. Can't wait to go in the morning and hates leaving, I am sure your dd would love it to. However, I would also say that this probably won't stop her from being irrational, looking bored, asking for friends, and generally acting like you are the most tedious people in the world half the time. DD still does all these things and I have come to except that the fact is she is two and having a two year old is like a little pre-taster of what it will be like having a teenager.

When is she 3? Look on ofsted for childcare childcare on non-domestic premises local to you and you might be surprised how many little pre-schools there are about that she might be able to go to just for her free 15h a week term time sessions.

Even if it is a while until she is 3 it is worth visiting now as good places often have a waiting list. Some places will have a play and stay attached that you could take her to before she is 3 in order to get used to the place if you want.

Mine goes mornings at two and loves it, even wanted to go when I said he was too poorly and was gutted I stopped him! I would see if you can get her name down for a surestart nursery now which are a bit cheaper usually and see what the waiting list is like, they get a lot of free hours at 3 anyway so you might not be far off? Also, mine still says he is bored in the afternoon and wants to go out or do things with me that involve very active play all afternoon. They just need a lot of attention and conversation at this age as they are developing so fast. Not much you can do to get around it really.