During pregnancy, it seems everyone feels compelled to ask intrusive questions. When I was expecting my first child, I quickly learned to navigate these inquiries with practiced ease by the third month of my second trimester. “Due June 7th,” I would reply cheerfully. “My partner is thrilled it’s a girl, thanks for asking,” I’d say, suppressing an eye roll. “No, it’s not twins!” I’d mutter, envisioning unleashing my full pregnancy fury.
Eventually, people would shift from prenatal queries to postnatal plans, diving into the topic of childcare. From the beginning, my partner and I had decided on daycare. I can’t pinpoint exactly how we reached this decision, but hiring a nanny was never a serious consideration. We diligently visited several well-regarded daycare centers in our area and secured spots in the ones we liked. However, I quickly discovered that in certain circles, sending your children to daycare is often viewed as akin to leaving them unattended with just a bottle of water and a bag of snacks. Daycare, it seems, carries a stigma.
Fast forward three years and two kids later—I have no regrets about choosing daycare and am, in fact, quite satisfied with our decision. While I acknowledge that many wonderful nannies exist and can be a great fit for working parents, I feel compelled to advocate for daycare and share the significant benefits it has provided for my family. Here are six reasons why daycare was the optimal choice for us:
1. Avoiding Employment Complications
Managing a family is already a logistical challenge filled with paperwork. Adding payroll responsibilities to the mix would be overwhelming. Many people opt to pay their nannies in cash, but that’s not something I feel comfortable doing. If I were to hire someone, I’d want to offer benefits and adhere to tax regulations, which feel intimidating. Having interviewed and hired various employees in my career, I know firsthand that not every hire is a good fit. Some may struggle with punctuality or competence, and leaving my children with a stranger during their vulnerable infancy was far too daunting.
2. Professional Childcare Providers
It turns out that those who choose to dedicate their careers to childcare are often genuinely remarkable individuals. They don’t enter this field for the financial rewards—daycare can be expensive, yet caregivers are frequently underpaid. While many nannies also exhibit great skill and commitment, I want to counter the narrative that all working mothers feel guilty about not staying home. I adore my children, but I also enjoy working, knowing they are in capable hands. The daycare teachers we’ve encountered have been nurturing and knowledgeable, helping my daughter learn essential skills like self-dressing and cup drinking. They truly seem to possess expertise in child development.
3. Preserving Home Order
I am not the type of parent who thrives on messy arts and crafts sessions. If you can maintain your sanity while your child decorates your living space with paint or glitter, hats off to you! My kids and I enjoy cooking together and playing outside, but we don’t engage in messy art projects. Daycare allows them to explore their creativity in a structured environment. The teachers handle the messiness associated with activities like finger painting, which I appreciate, as my living space is already cramped. This arrangement means my children enjoy a diverse range of activities while my home remains relatively organized.
4. Building Immunity Early
A common concern surrounding daycare is the frequency of illnesses among children. Indeed, my kids experienced numerous runny noses and rashes during their first year. However, delaying daycare doesn’t prevent illness; children will inevitably encounter those same viruses when they start school. Embracing the reality of early childhood illness allows me to accept the chaos and stay home with my little ones during these bouts of sickness, even if it’s just for a short time.
5. Peer Influence of Working Families
All the children my kids interact with come from families where both parents work. From an early age, they’ve understood that Mom and Dad drop them off at school and then head to work. This shared experience minimizes confusion regarding parental availability and helps normalize the working parent dynamic. I anticipate that my children will eventually inquire about why we work, but for now, they’re surrounded by peers who share the same narrative.
6. No Judgement Here!
Whether you’ve chosen a nanny, are a stay-at-home parent, or have children who quietly entertain themselves while you work, I applaud you. Parenting is challenging, regardless of how you approach it. We’ve all faced moments that feel cliché, such as when a toddler spills milk for the third time at a meal or when a baby wakes up just after you’ve managed to get them to sleep. Yet, we also savor the quiet moments of watching our children sleep, reflecting on how quickly they are growing.
I have no basis to judge anyone, as long as you love and care for your children. Daycare is not merely a last resort; it is a viable and beneficial option for many families. For mine, daycare has held a cherished place in our lives, providing invaluable care during the hours I cannot.
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In summary, daycare has proven to be a thoughtful and beneficial choice for my family, and it may also be an excellent fit for yours.
Keyphrase: Daycare as a childcare option
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