How Far Do U Travel Between Sitters and Job????

I would rather know my child was being well cared for. You really can make good use of time in the car, even at as young as 16 months you can talk and point out things of interest and play kiddy music and sing along. From time to time when my kids had to do the back and forth thing they were able to cat nap and then they were in a better mood = )

Most kids come to me in 5-15 minutes. I've had some kids 20-45 minutes in one direction. It depends on how desperately they needed a dependable caregiver.

If you choose a caregiver near your work you can play children's music and audible children's books in the car while you drive. Sing loud, no matter what your singing voice. It's time with your child and they love it.

I don't have to worry about daycare anymore, but for a while there when my kids were very small I also had to travel about an hour round-trip like you do. I mean, you work because it's what's best for your family, right? And you chose that daycare because it's what's best for your kid. I understand that it stink from first-hand experience, but if it's in the best interests of everyone involved then it's what needs to be done. It's not the end of the world. Keep your eyes peeled for a closer daycare maybe or just keep asking around if anyone knows of anywhere else that you might be interested in, but in the meantime, don't let it get you down. You're doing what you're doing because you love your family!

That's not unreasonable for commuting time. My recommendation: plan out menus for dinner a week or month at a time. Dinner time is a lot less stressful if you know ahead of time what you are making, you know you have all the ingredients and everything you need is thawed in the refrigerator. Even better - start putting together crockpot meals at night after the baby goes to bed, so that in the morning all you have to do is pull it out of the fridge, put it in the crock pot, and dinner is ready when you get home.

Talking: My pediatrician told me that minimum at 15 months was using 5 words reliably and in context.

It will be fine. All in all, its 30m in the morning and 30m in the evening. He probably won't notice much.

my sitter is next door to me. I work an hour and a half from home (on a good day).

I nanny for a family. he drives to the train station and then rides a train to chicago every day. takes him over an hour each way and thats with me coming to his house. for the past few years he had that part plus taking them to a sitter. it is not unusual to have an our of travel time. and its worth it if your child is with someone you trust.

I work a traditional 9-5. It takes me about 40 minutes to get to work. So the whole trip from drop off to work is about 45 minutes. However, when I leave at 5pm, there is more traffic so I don't get home until 6 PM.

So yes, lots of people are in you boat. But if it means a reliable family member will be watching your child - it's likely a better situation. Plus she will be with family all day. And you will get used to the longer commute in no time. It will all work out. I promise. Just think about the alone time in the car - your radio station, your talk radio, silence to think.

My daughter is a talker - her first work was clap which she said when she learned to clap (so a very early talker). But I've seen lots of kids who say nothing until over two and then they start talking in complete sentences.

I use my parents as sitters when needed, both my parents and the in-laws live 30 mins from our house. Now I only need them once a week during the summer, and maybe once a month during the school year. I end of driving about 30 mins to their place and then 15-45 mins to work, then to pick up 15-45 mins back to where daughter is, then 30 mins to home. So all total is about 1 1/2 hours - 2 1/2 hours of driving. I would not be able to do that ever work day, once a week during the summer ok but any more then that I would not be able to handle (if it is a road trip different story).

In the end do what you think is best for your family. I would choose a safe sitter that I feel comfortable with but a little more drive over a close not so sure sitter.

Now my sitter is about 10 feet (on site day care at my office!!) But I have had commutes of 1hour plus, but I still kept my kiddos close to home. About 10 - 15 minutes becasue I didn't want them in the car that long. However, the 30 min in the car with your little one is not too bad.
In terms of losing time with him at night - I totally feel your pain there! Get really good at crock pot meals, freezing ahead of time,e tc. That way when you get home there is less prep and more play time:)
Also, if you do have to actually make dinner a few nights 16 months is old enough to set in the floor and while you chop, dice and stir, he can play with pans, talk and "read" books to you:)