Replies to 'Daycare/Babysitters/Nannies'

Obviously, society believes little ones that young are old enough for day care as most of them accept children starting at 6 weeks old. This is really something that you as a parent can decide on, you know your child better then any one and if this is the direction that you are looking at then you need to make sure you check out the centers around you and get as much info about them as possible, make sure there is an open door policy meaning that you can stop by anytime even unexpected and know the state regulations and teacher/child ratio. Some kids adjust well and others have a harder time with it. I don't know what your daily schedule looks like, whether you are a working mom or stay at home mom but there are places with play groups where you and your child can go together and it can be a good thing, I have experienced this as well as with story times at the library and getting involved in mom's groups and church groups, there are alot of options, it is just a matter of looking into them and figuring out what would work with your child and what you are comfortable in doing. My children have not gone to daycare and they have no problem socializing at all, my little one is a little shy at times but only at people that she does not know which is a good thing I think and she is more on the wuieter side just like her daddy, very social and energetic but a little shy at times, nothing wrong with shyness, I was shy as a child as well and got along just fine in school. Also, maybe you can have another child come to your home for a little bit to give him a play mate, These ae some options that could possibly work as well, just do what you feel is right for your child.

No he is not too little for daycare.  Putting him in daycare two days a week a few hours in the morning, will be good for him.   I worked in daycares so i know that there are some children who cry for mommy and it is heartbreaking both for the teacher and the parent to deal with, but eventually the child gets used to their caregivers and the caregiver usually distracts the child with a toy or reads them a story or gets him/her involved in an activity.    

  

When i worked in a daycare - we had an infant room (6mos +) thru to preschoolers (5 years) and as i recall when one baby joined the infant room he was 6mos old and the mom would stay with him in the infant room (for a little while) to get him used to the interraction between the other babies and the teachers.      

  

I think it is absolutely beneficial for children of any age (even babies) to have some kind of interrraction with other children, at a daycare, or at a parent-child activity programs, this gets them socializing and interracting and getting along well with other children.     

  

And parents of infants as young as 6months old - this includes you too,  babies may not  be interracting with each other as toddlers or preschoolers do, but they are aware of the fact that other children are around them and even at the age of 6 months old they are capable of learning - at that age and through the preschool age - they are sponges, they learn and mimic what others do, even if they are too young to verbalize, they know and they are watching and  "understanding" 

  

I don't think he is too little for daycare. My son has been in daycare since he was 2 months old. Believe me, if I could have stayed home longer with him, I would have. However, I am a single mother and just don't make enough money to do that. I have to work and I go to school. My son went to one for a year, and then it temporarily closed so we switched to another and have been there since. He is now almost 5 years old. My son is very happy there. I think daycare is helping prepare him for school. He has learned that there are rules to be followed by everyone, and there are consequences for breaking the rules. He has made so many friends there and even watches out for the littler kids there! Besides going to work and school, I have the added benefit of being friends with my daycare providers. It is nice having someone to talk to to who knows your situation exactly. I hope his helps you!