Should I go from 3 to 4 days/nursery for DD

[Pink2020]

Hi,
Im just looking for other peoples experiences with this one really. I’ve got a DD 19 months old, I currently work 3 days a week and I’m very lucky that DD is looked after between my mum and the in laws on those days. I love the balance, feel like I get to spend enough time with DD, thurs tends to be some housework but a walk with our dog or nip to shops and playtime at home. Fridays I try to make fun going to soft plays.
Ive been debating whether to go back to work 4 days from September, and put DD in nursery for that day. I’ve been told by family it would be good for her to socialise (we do see toddler friends but obviously not that many every week). I’ve looked round a nursery which looks great and my nephew goes there to who she is really close to. Sorry I’m rambling, I’m just worried because I don’t particularly like my job, it’s just a job that pays bills. Worried I might start to dislike it even more being there 4 days…I get really bad stress when trying to apply and go for interviews, I don’t know why I just stress myself out. Financially we would be better off…we do want to move house and other fairly big financial things that we can’t really do at the moment.
But I also am aware we might not have another child and I don’t want to look back and feel like I should have made the most of it whilst she’s young.
I also feel like 5-7ish are really hectic on the days I work with cooking dinner/washin up/bath/bed/walking dog/OH goes gym when she’s in bed and I don’t like the idea of that 4 nights a week😂 so what do you mums do? Sorry for the really long question!!

If you can afford it stay at 3 days you seem to have the right balance.

I've always done 3 days and it's a great work life balance.Stick at 3 days at work if you can afford it.
Plenty time to start nursery in a year or 2

I would stick to 3 days and only up it to 4 if either you absolutely have to for financial reasons, or you don't really enjoy the days at home with your LO. Both are valid reasons. It's all about balance and what feels right for you and your family. I would say that as they head towards school age, I found spending time with my LOs increasingly more enjoyable.... regular trips to the cafe for babycino before going the library - lovely. When they start school it suddenly feels like you see much less of them. It really does depend on what you want to spend your time doing - what feels right for you is the right choice x

Thanks for your replies. Have any of your guys children gone to nursery? Do you think it would make much difference if she just went to pre school for a year before school? Surely that would give her the socialisation and introduce her to that environment/some educational things too. My OH have said as long as we are ok financially he doesn’t mind what I do. So there isn’t pressure from him, it’s more just weighing up what’s best for her and personally I would like some more money left over but it’s also not the be all and end all to me! 🥰

Your DD doesn't need to go to nursery at 19 months old. That's just clever childcare marketing. She'll be absolutely fine having fun with people who love her.

If you want to work the fourth day, she'll be absolutely fine in a good nursery.

I think if I were you I'd stick to three days until she goes to pre-school/school, as you say this time is precious and extremely limited, make the most of it.

I'd stick with three days, this is what I do and I'll stick with it even when DD starts school in September so I'm around more for her, also flexed my job around school runs.
She does go to preschool, we upped it to 3 days with the funding, before that it was one day, I flexed a day and DM had her one day and she was socialized through play groups etc.
But I do think it's good for them to attend a preschool before school, I'm an EY teacher. DD loves her preschool and being around her friends all day and enjoys the activities they do. Can you do one day in nursery when funded hours kick in from September?

That’s lovely that she loves pre school!
So September is when I’m thinking of sending her when she will get funding, but the nursery have said there will still be a charge on top of the funding but they are waiting to find out from the council how much they’ll get, and they’ve said it will only be term time. So summer and half terms would be full price, therefore I’m only thinking of putting her in if I go back an extra day as it’s going to be an extra bill🫤 and I’m at my max with what I pay out as I only come out with 1,135 and our mortgage/energy has just gone up. I just can’t decide what to do!

@eathbin this was in reply to you ☝🏼😊