Disrupting routine and maternity leave

[ByDreamyMintNewt]

Hi,

Just wanting some advice. I'm pregnancy with my third child and my older two will be just turned 6 and about to be 4 when he's born. At the moment we have a great routine - I work part time and on those days my youngest goes to nursery and the older gets taken to and from school by a childminder. My older enjoys the childminders but it did take a little while to get to this point.

Thinking ahead to when I'm on maternity leave, obviously financially it makes sense to not use the childminder but I'm worried about disrupting the routine and then having to get them back into it when I return to work. Is it worth still using the childminder a couple of days a week for the sake of keeping it the same, or is it a monumental waste of money? I'm probably overthinking it all but let me know any wise thoughts.

I would suggest to keep the childminder for a few days a week. Post partum you need time one on one with your new baby and honestly your new baby deserves that too. It’s such a. Big change to your family as it is that some normal schedule and routines are helpful.
i have a 2.5 year old and 7 month old and I have kept my toddler in nursery 3 days a week: it’s been the best decision. I can take baby to classes/ walks just bond with her . I also find when I have them both you can’t always meet needs immediately which means someone cries for a little. To have that every day would be overwhelming