Should I send my 4 yo to preschool? Covid worries...

[thingymaboob]

I'm 34 weeks pregnant. Hideous pregnancy - Hyperemesis, Polyhydramnios, Gestational diabetes and SPD. I also have asthma. My C section is booked for 1st Feb. Both DH & I are triple vaccinated.

I have a 4 year old who goes to preschool in a nursery with about 15 other kids in her class. She's been going stir crazy at home without preschool and is desperate to get back. She's not obligated to attend a nursery as due school in Sept 22.

I'm exhausted and pretty useless as can't really take her to park etc with SPD or run after her or anything. DH has taken on a well paid contract this month so he can have 2.5 months off when baby arrives so he can't help with childcare in the day (he does EVERYTHING else - he's amazing). I also have lots of appointments with various obstetricians due to my pregnancy complications.

We have decided to definitely take her out of preschool 9 days before the c section date so she doesn't catch covid in that time as we don't want DH to potentially miss the birth etc.

I think I want to send her into preschool for the rest of the month but is this unsafe / do you think I am mad for sending her in?

No I'd send her. My DD is 4 and in reception, when we went into the lockdown last January it really affected her mental health and behaviour not being with any children her own age. I'm due in 4 weeks and she'll be going throughout, I can't put her through it again.

@mummyh2016
Thank you.
yeah, she'd be miserable at home and I think on balance taking her out the week before c section is a fair balance.

DS is 3 and I am in a similar situation. I really thought I wanted to keep him at home til baby arrives but without a CS/induction, this could be up to 3 weeks. After a lot of back and forth, we have decided he's going back as we feel that it's actually more detrimental to him to keep him at home. Unlike you, I'm still feeling very well but can't begin to imagine how I'm going to keep a 3 year old entertained for 3 weeks while stuck in the house.

As you have a planned section date, I think just taking her out prior to that is a reasonable balance.

I think it sounds like you have a very sensible plan. You have to balance her needs with yours and this seems like a good compromise. I wouldn’t keep her off until the c sec- she will be climbing the walls and you will be tearing your hair out. Hope your c sec goes well 😊

Thanks @BobbleWobble1 and @Makingnumber2 - she has been home off nursery since 24th Dec (closed between Xmas & NY) and she really misses her friends. Fingers crossed she doesn't get covid but feel it's inevitable

Its just matter of luck whether you catch it or not... so let her attend still, i plan to not stop mine... cause as u say, my son has gone bonkers here too cause of the christmas holiday, cant wait to go back and play with his friends ... and if we keep them home we will have to keep them home forever..cause them omg newborn and germs from nursery..and covid..and this ..and that...life should just go on x......