Afraid of Daycares

I can understand being afraid, I am always questioning if I am doing the right thing. My son is in daycare but I found one I was comfortable in. We ended up changing daycares when he was 5 months old because we did not like the one he was at. The one now the staff have been there for a long time some 20 plus years. They are interacting with the children and seem to care about the kids. They do most of the same stuff I would be doing with my kids at home. They are not fancy but the children seem happy, healthy, and well taken care of. They are not the most expensive one around either. Atleast look in your area at different ones home daycares, centers big or small. You may find one that you can trust and really like.

Luckily for us I am able to stay home with my children. I don't believe in daycares. I don't feel that a child "needs" to have other kids to play with when they are young like that. I always said when my children were old enough to tell me what goes on then they could go to daycare. So far I have 4 children who have never been to daycare. Don't let anyone pressure you into putting a child in daycare if you don't want them there. As long as the bills are paid, there's good on the table and you all have clothes and shoes without daycare then you don't need it.

Hi D.,

I'm sorry you had such an awful experience in the past, and I can understand why you would be afraid to put your second child in daycare.

We spent a lot of time looking at daycare centers for our 2-year old son, and I just couldn't find one I would be happy leaving him in. What we did in the end was find an in-home daycare near to our house. There are only four children there including Thomas which makes for a lovely family atmosphere. I had my reservations, but am soooo glad we decided to give it a try. I know I can call or visit whenever I want to, and I know Thomas is happy and safe.

Good luck with whatever you decide. At the end of the day you have to do what feels right to you, and you know what is best for your children.

D.

hi D.- i know this is an old post but i wanted to respond anyway. i just wanted to say that while you don't have to put your child in daycare until you and he are both ready for it, there is a huge difference between what happened with your oldest and what could happen with your younger child. with your oldest, you were in the system- they had control of your life. with your younger son, even if a daycare center called childrens' services on you, they still, by law, could NOT come and take away your son without first doing a proper investigation including a home visit. because you are now an adult, not a minor, and you and your child are not in the state's custody, what happened with your older son could not happen with your younger son. i used to work at a residential facility for teen moms and their kids, and i was vehemently against the practice of allowing child protective services to take one of the babies while the mother was in school, so that she didn't even get to say goodbye. however, my position was not one of being able to make policy changes. have you filed paperwork to get your oldest back with you? do you have visitation with him, or have you given up your parental rights so that he can be adopted? all are valid options, i'm not judging you at all. i know that as a mom you just want what's best for your kids. daycare is great for when it's necessary, but don't feel pressured.

S.

There are other ways to meet playfriends for your children. Don't put him in daycare if you don't have to. I wouldn't ever do that to my child. You don't know what those people are doing with your children. Everyone that puts their kids in those places, takes a big chance. Take your kids to a nice park(and other places), where other parents take their kids to play. Make friends.