Am i depriving my LO?

[LinsG]

Hi, I hope i'm posting this in the right place.

I have been trying to decide whether or not to go back to work. Financially, i do not need to, the job is as boring as anything and there is no positive social side to it either. If i don't go back my daughter Eve (6 mths) will have no need to go to a nursery, and to be honest i would rather care for her myself, but after reading some of the posts on here about how much your babies love nursery i'm wondering if i'm depriving Eve. What do you guys think?

 

[Krystal]

I think there are positives to both, I mean in nursery I think they become a lot more sociable but nothing beats mummy staying at home. Maybe just make sure you get out to lots of play groups so LO can interract with other babies

 

[-Kelly-]

If I could stay at home full time then I would, without a doubt - if you feel like Eve is missing out on the socialising then you can take her to play groups, or even put her in a nursery one or two afternoons a week when she's a toddler and just have some time to yourself

 

[Tangerinedream]

Depending on the area you live in there are plenty of oppurtunities for your daughter to socialise with other children. Check out if there are any play groups/ parent and baby groups etc. You health visitor will know

 

[mrs_tommo22]

Hmm I was all for nursery wth my first and he went there fom 8 months when i went back to work as i was a bit of a career girl and needed the money back then, but as a mum to 2 now im not quite as keen - maybe a day or two a week would be fun for them, but as a SAHM they have no need too go. Imwaiting till my youngest goes to pre school, she has a cousin around the same age so they socialise so im not owrried she will turn into a loner!

Personal choice at the en of the day

 

[lisa&alex]

its probably something you have to chat about and weigh up.. will going back benifit you or the baby.. if you dont need to financially then mayb go back to work in a few years? lots of mums do it.. i love staying at home.. and i think many women dread going back.. and qwould stay at home if thwey had a choice.. in my eyes.. if you dont need to.. then stay home they arnt babies long enough..

 

[valentine]

I would kill to stay at home - do it! SAHMs are amazing, I just wish I had the choice, the thought of going back to work is breaking my heart.

There is nothing stopping you socialising your DD by spending time with other Mums and babies (also fun for you) at coffee mornings, playgroups, baby groups, gymbabes, baby signing, baby music groups - there is loads of opportunity to do this. It may also be a good idea, and you can afford it, to put your DD into a private nursery for a couple of mornings or afternoons a week when she's a bit older and you can get a bit of time to yourself.

If your ticker is correct though, you are pregnant at the moment? If you give up work now, you will give up your right to your next lot of maternity pay? Maybe best to go back for a couple of months (if necessary and the two maternity leaves don't run directly into each other) so that you can have this extra money - even if you just stick it in a bank account for a rainy day or save it for your children?

Valentine Xxx

 

[LinsG]

I would kill to stay at home - do it! SAHMs are amazing, I just wish I had the choice, the thought of going back to work is breaking my heart.

There is nothing stopping you socialising your DD by spending time with other Mums and babies (also fun for you) at coffee mornings, playgroups, baby groups, gymbabes, baby signing, baby music groups - there is loads of opportunity to do this. It may also be a good idea, and you can afford it, to put your DD into a private nursery for a couple of mornings or afternoons a week when she's a bit older and you can get a bit of time to yourself.

If your ticker is correct though, you are pregnant at the moment? If you give up work now, you will give up your right to your next lot of maternity pay? Maybe best to go back for a couple of months (if necessary and the two maternity leaves don't run directly into each other) so that you can have this extra money - even if you just stick it in a bank account for a rainy day or save it for your children?

Valentine Xxx

Hi, my ticker is from last year and i've taken it off now, i couldn't handle being preggers again that quickly!!

Thanks for all your posts girls. In my heart i know i really want to be a SAHM, and i feel a lot better about it after reading your posts. Eve and I already go to a few groups at the local Sure Start centre, its great. I think i was just worrying that all the mum friends i have made will be going back to work and Eve and i will be left not knowing anyone, but if this happen i'll just have to join more groups!

-kelly- putting Eve in a nursery in a year or so is a great idea, Ta!

 

[DebbieM]

Stay at home and enjoy her!

 

[x-kirsty-x]

Hiya,

My LO has just turned 1 and he's been in nursery 3 days a week since he was about 9 months. He loves it and has a fantastic time there but I've decided to take him out and be a SAHM. I do feel guilty because I'm worried he'll suffer by not interacting with other babies.

I have social anxiety and the thought of going to play groups and stuff fills me with dread so I'm quite happy to stay at home and spend time just the two of us, Ryan will have plenty of time to socialise when he gets a little bit older

 

[Xena]

My daughter has never been to nursery and to be honest I wish I could afford to send her as she is really really sociable and gets bored at home. She'll be starting in January when she becomes eligible for free child nursery education, and she is really looking forward to it.

I wouldn't have wanted her to go as a very young baby though, but from about 18 months she's seemed interested in seeing other children. I take her once a week to a big soft indoor play area so she isn't just stuck at home all the time.