A B C or D all vote now!!

[soconfuseddotcom]

Hey all, Hapy new year, hoping for a little help on a decision we need to make, DS is 4mths old, will be going back to work April possibly May. Still tearing my hair out as to what childcare will be best. DH and I both commute into London by train.

A) Have looked at 2 local nurseries, but both charge extra for 7.30 am drop off, 6.30 pm pick up. I'm have to be on the train 7am, but DH starts work a bit later and could drop off 7.30, I could pick up 6.30, but 8am and 5.30pm, (the nursery's usual start/finish times are cutting it too fine). Both were quite good, one I liked a bit better than the other, one offered a bettered structured day, but the other I felt offered better personal intimate care (a bit smaller). I liked the second, DH liked the first.

B) There is a nursery down the road from my work, 2 of my collegues have DC in this nursery and they are always singing its praises, and it has excellent reviews. Trouble is, its a bit more pricey than local nursery (being in London) although not a great deal, but also, the idea of taking a 7mth old on a packed stuffy communters train worries me.

C) Childminders - I'll admit I haven't really had a look on the availabilty of local childminders. I probably should.

D) Get a nanny - this is what DH really wants. He feels DS would be more secure and happy at home, and I kind of agree...but....I'm just not keen on the idea of another woman caring for my baby in my home, I know I'm being ridiculous, but I kind of feel like she would be replacing me, and play a role that I should be doing....anyone else ever felt like that? Or am I just being hormonal?

So, there it is, A B C or D....what would you do?

[bigkidsdidit]

D

If not, C.

I have a Cm and love it. She has 3 children at a time (he max allowed) and DS adores her. He goes 8.30-4 ish so it's fine but any longer and I'd consider a nanny. Coming home to a happy fed baby, bathed at home, napped on own cot - she would probably do the baby's laundry etx too.
Fabulous!

[Curlyfrizzball]

D if you can afford it. C if not. My DD is with a childminder 3 days a week 730-530, but one of the other children she has is there until 630, so she does work those hours overall IYSWIM. I went back at 6 months, and at that age, personally, I really wanted something as close to what I would have provided if I was there as I could get.

DD loves it there, and she and the childminder have a great bond, but I don't feel like she replaces me in any way -I look at it like her having a bond with a grandparent or something.

[MistyB]

D for all the reasons chipping said. You will gain about an hour a day not having to drop off, collect, prepare the nursery bag etc. Taking tired kids home is never fun but if they already at home when you get there, it is much less stressful. Your DC's needs will be upper most at all times. It is good for them to become attached and love someone who cares for them rather than being one of many being cared for by many. And the nanny will never replace you. It is a common concern but we certainly couldn't believe the difference a nanny made to all of our lives when we changed from nursery to nanny.

[Viviennemary]

I think you should look at C. And D if you get a good reliable nanny if you can afford it. I think very small babies are better with individuals rather than in nurseries. But that's only my opinion.

[SummerRainIsADistantMemory]

Soconfused.... My nanny was lovely but I knew my mother and father were my parents abd she was just the nice lady who minded me.

In fact the most damaging thing for my relationship with my mother was undoubtedly when she gave up work to be a SAHM. She was not suited to spending extended periods with a child and she hated the boredom. We'd have had a better relationship of shed stayed at work and I kept my nanny!

[GColdtimer]

What chipping said (she always says what I am thinking but can't be arsed to type )

[dorapeppageorgenoddy]

I always thought that I would think the same about having a nanny; I thought it would evoke jealousy and that I would hate see my baby with as you call it 'another women'
BUT
We decided on a nanny from last August and it has been the best thing ever, instead of jealousy I am so happy to see my children happy and so happy to see the activities they have done together in the day...
Honestly the right nanny will make it all feel right...

We interviewed 6 before finding our amazing girl, she had the least nanny experience (nursery work) had few formal qualifications but was just amazing with our children from meeting them - she does need some guidance; we have a book she writes what the day has involved and any key things like medicine we all write in so we all know what's been happening...

I say 1hr of tv and she has a structured week of one activity a day that she choose/or I suggested but she is happy to go to...

Anyway I am rambling but honestly it works....

[AnnieLobeseder]

If you use a nursery or CM, I would suggest one closer to work then home, because at least you can pick up straight after work and not have the stress of having to rush the commute home to get there in time. But that would be trickier in London, I suppose, with trains etc. Nanny sounds ideal.