4 days at nursery?

[sproutzbeans]

I’m feeling so guilty over this lately! I’m unsure why

DS just turned 2, since 9mo when I returned to work he did 2 months of 3 days a week then since then has done 4 days a week, my parents watch him one day a week.

I didn’t want to do 4 very long days to have a day off , he’d be in nursery so long those days. And I didn’t have the income to be able to cut a day.

fast forward 2 promotions later, I’ll be dropping a day and we’ll have one day together, 3 days nursery, 1 with my parents

is this normal? Am I getting worked up over nothing?

I have major guilt and worry he’s went too much, do I not spend enough time with him? (I drop him off 8.30, collect 4pm on the 4 days he’s in) I cherish our mornings pre leaving, our evenings and weekends. I’m so excited to have the whole extra day with him too!

I think I’m just a bit, irrirated with someone’s comments today. MIL anytime he does something says “they must do that at nursery” - for example, him drinking through a straw. Which I taught him at 6 months (little bit of baby yogurt on the end and he picked up so quick how to use it aha!) - and so on. The things she says this to also , 99% are things we have focused on teaching him or little mannerisms/things from us.

Don't feel guilty. You're doing your best regardless, and you're damned if you do, and if you don't
I look back to returning to work with DD1. I did full time, but in 4 days. I would pick her up sleeping in the morning, put her in her car seat, drop her at nursery snoozing in her PJs. I would pick her up snoozing in clean PJs after a bath at the end of the day, put her in her car seat and then lift her into her crib. We had 3 days a week completely together however, and I am really proud of how she is growing up, independent, thoughtful and inquisitive.
It wasn't ideal, but it was what we needed to do at that time. You're doing the right thing, whatever it is.

It's different for any family. I would just say that maybe it isn't right for YOU though if you're feeling this bad about it all? Just a thought. Though there's certainly nothing objectively wrong with your DC going to nursery.

My daughter does 5 days a week 8-6. Obviously some days I feel guilty, but most days I’m in awe at what nursery are teaching her and pushing her boundaries.
We all approach it differently, so don’t worry what other people say. My mum was a career lady and all my friends held her in high regard for that and still do to this very day

Sorry but you must know plenty of people put their child in daycare full time? Of course it's fine. Equally if you don't want to that's fine too. I appreciate the feelings of guilt but I'd also try not to overthink it. I personally wouldn't be bothered by someone saying 'they learned that at nursery'. I attribute most of my daughters learning to nursery!

THIS. I see it as a positive. I bloody pay them enough! Happy for them to take all the glory.

My daughter has done 2 days from 10 to 12 months then 5 days for 3 months and then 4 days since then she is 3. She does 8.30 until 6 on days I work from home and 7.40 until 5.40-6 1 or 2 days a week when I'm in the office depending on whether me or my partner picks her up.
When she was 2 we had 13 weeks without child care relying on ourselves, an ad-hoc nursery and family help. Her development dropped back, she became more nervous and didn't want to be away from me. She went back to nursery and it took a couple of weeks of setting but then she absolutely thrived and I have no qualms about her being nursery. She is an August born and because of how well she is doing at nursery and am not worried about sending her to school at 4 and a few weeks.

I absolutely love my day off with her but she gets the best of me on a Wednesday because she is nursery and I'm in work on the other 4 days.

You do what is right for your family.
DS was in nursey full time and thrived! Yes he learned loads there and that never bothered me...i was pleased he was getting so much out of the environment.

He's 9 now and STILL talks fondly about his 'first' school.