Am I an awful parent

[snch]

I've got 2 boys aged 3 & 4. It's not been an easy ride for me. I've had some lovely times and some really difficult times.

I work part time (3 days a week) is it awful if I put my youngest in nursery 5 days a week so I can have some time for myself. I don't have a village and they rarely ever sleep over anywhere. I'm gutted that this era is over but in a way I need to do a food shop on my own and fill my days with something other than soft plays.

My son's nursery days is 08:30-2:30 so it's not super long days. I just feel like I need to do it for my sanity at the moment. Does anyone else do it?

Is your eldest at school? I didn’t do this, but I had lots of help from both sides of the family, without that I probably would have used some childcare to have a break.

Having some time to yourself will make you a better parent to them so I would say the opposite! Put him in so you can have some down time, despite what society tells us, mothers are human with needs!

People will have different responses to this. Some women love being around their small children as much as possible, others need the break. I'm in the 'need a break' camp. I work full time and DD started school in sept, but it does mean that I'm non stop working/parenting until the weekend.

Me and her DF aren't together anymore, and he has her every Sunday, and it does mean the world of good. We spend quality time with DD (DP & I) in the evenings and Saturdays, and then we get a break on the Sunday. DP goes out Sunday afternoons with his DF, and I do whatever I like. It makes me such a better mother to DD because I've had some me time.

I also WFH and have a cleaner which helps with being able to actually allow myself a break at the weekends.

Do what works for you!

If you feel better and more positive doing it then it will be better for him so I wouldn't worry. Lots of 3 year olds go to nursery most days and having some time to yourself is important.