Sahms Opinions

I did day care in my home for a little while my daughter was little (18 months-21/2). But mostly we had weekly play dates with a group. I never left my daughter with anyone till she was 3 and talking like crazy. I took a weekly yoga class for part of my me time. And would go to cofee a few times a month with a friend or a book.
A. H

I work part-time from home as well and my son and I do lots of playgroups when we can or playdates (1 or 2 moms over). That way you can socialize with the moms while the kids are playing together. I just found out about Macomb Moms.. it's a HUGE group with LOTS of activities.

I take my son to the Rochester library and play there

You could do Kindermusik... I teach a class in Rochester Hills at my home studio. It's great interaction and also great learning skills.. AND it gives you things to do at home with him too.

Maybe if you're feeling you need a break though.. have a sitter come for a couple hours a week so you get a break!

I am a sahm and a daycare provider...
So I don't have to send my kids to daycare... Their friends come here...

I have had a few moms who would bring their little ones over for a few hours a week (usually a couple hours one day). It gives them some time off and also gives my kids someone new to play with for a bit so it is also a rest for me:-)
Its totally dependant with the kids... Some will get a value of being able to play at 1, others usually react better between 2 and 3...

I am a SAHM and I put my daughter in day care.
I started her when she was about 2 years old. And she has been going for a few months. I'm not sure how long I'll keep it up. Mainly because of the money.
I only send her 2 days a month. And I find that I get so much done on those days. It's wonderful.
My daughter loves it. She loves having friends that she can play with.
I decided to send her so she could interact with other kids without me being with her. We did gymnastics and diaper dancing. But I was at her side the entire time. I felt this gave us both space.
I had a hard time deciding if I should send her. Because the reason I don't work it to take care of my child. But I found it was good for both of us.

I haven't done daycare, we just do playgroup and lots of other fun classes.

We used to do storytime at the library, classes through the community center, and now we go to two parent-toddler classes/week.

I found our playgroup through www.playgroupsusa.com

I joined a playgroup on www.meetup.com I actually ran into the group at the park and was invited to join but you can go on the site find one in your area and request to join. Most of the kids playgroups require you to meet the organizer before they let you join for the safety of the members and their families, which is nice. You don't have to worry about the type of people you are exposing your kids to. The group I'm in is 19 members(that count is the moms, there are about 40 kids of all ages). It's a good size and the families are all wonderful! I've made some of my best friends in the group. Good luck finding something for your little one!

I am a full time SAHM with two kids. I did not put my kids in daycare, my sons started pre-school at age 3 which gave them all the time they needed to prepare them for Kindergarten. I did take them to things that would give them interaction with other kids like storytimes at the library (the Southfield library has storytime that start at 6 months old, three age categories on different days up to age 5) or even just going to the park or the mall play area. If you know anyone with kids of similar ages playdates are great for socialisation. As for them learning things, they are learning all the time you are playing with them and they can learn so much from you.
It was just my personal opinion that daycare was quite a waste of money (which we didn't have) if I was home with them. I really enjoyed that time with them (most of it anyway lol) and it really does go soooooooooo fast. Before you know it he'll be in grade school and you'll be wondering where the time went.

I worked in childcare/preschool before having kids and I will tell you that as a parent I will never send my kids to daycare. The kids pick up on too many bad habits and even the best teacher cannot give my child the time and attention that I think they deserve!

I would find a play group in your area. MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) is great because you can have good christian fellowship and your little one gets to play with other kids while in the childcare for a couple of hours. You can go now even though your child is younger that preschool.

Blessings, K.

Hi S. ~ We have done a variety of things with our children while I worked full and then later part time. I totally understand the need for time without the children! It is a necessity and I believe it helps not only moms get a break, but the children too! It's funny to think that they would need a break from us, but I believe it's true, LOL! Anyway do you have family who can help you? If you have family who lives close by and you trust them and have a good relationships with them, I think this is the best way to go. If not, what about friends with other children? If you have good friends with young children maybe you guys could trade back and forth. They take your child for a few hours and then you take theirs. It gives the children someone to play with and more one on one attention than they would probably get in a center and it gives you the peace of mind knowing personaly the people who are caring for your child. My daughter was in a regular daycare for nine months and then after my son was born a trusted friend began watching them for me and it was such a HUGE relief, to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my children were with someone who loved them like they were there own! I didn't realize how uneasy I was with the regular daycare until I experienced having one of my closest and dearest friends watching them. Now I work part time and my mom and my sister help out when needed. Also we have a drop in center downtown. It is a church outreach program and we LOVE it. THis is what I use when I need a break and family isn't an option. Ours is free you just have to meet the qualifications...and with my husband a reduction in our income due to layoffs and whatnot, that was not a problem for us. Another thing is to make sure you are focusing on yourself too. It is hard for moms to do that, I know, but it is so important. If you can work it around your husband's schedule try scheduling a girls night out with some friends. Grab, dinner or coffee or a movie whatever it is that you like to do together or maybe even with the weather getting nicer grab a group of girls and start walking in the evening with NO children allowed...LOL...I know for me I have several friends who I schedule time with regularly. I have one friend who is so busy we only get together once every three months. Then I have acouple of friends who I see once every month and then I have friends I see every week. Sometimes we've even gotten out of town for a weekend together! I have found this time to be so refreshing and uplifting and I go home joyfully ready to jump back into the role of wife and mommy.

I hope you find something that works for you and that you (and the children, LOL) get the breaks you all need :)

~ M.

I am a SAHM and have been since my daughter was born. I think daycare has been wonderful for my daughter and I. I decided in Sept that she needed a little something more, so I found a home daycare (licensed) close by and started her. She goes two days a week from 9-12:30am and she LOVES it. The kids are great some days their is 5 kids total and some only 2. My provider was recommended from a very good friend so I felt comfortable and I checked her with Michigan licensing and everything was good. I wish I would have started it at 2 but I probably would not have done it any earlier. From now till your son turns 2 join play groups and do as much as you can with him. I personally love daycare and starting now my daughter will start preschool at the age of 3! good luck it is a hard decision. Also FYI it is really cheap only 3.50 an hour and she feeds her lunch on the days she goes. I also use my free time to do my school work!