During pregnancy, it often feels like everyone around you suddenly becomes an expert in your life choices, asking questions that can feel intrusive at best. When I was expecting my first child, I quickly learned how to respond to these inquiries on autopilot during my second trimester. “April 15th,” I would reply with a smile. “Yes, my partner is thrilled it’s a boy,” I would say, suppressing a sigh while mentally rolling my eyes. “No, I’m pretty sure it’s not twins,” I’d mutter, picturing my pregnant self unleashing her frustrations.
Once the baby arrived, the focus shifted to our plans for childcare. It was never a question for us; we had always intended to enroll our child in daycare. I’m not sure how that decision was made, but hiring a nanny never came into serious consideration. We proactively visited several reputable daycare centers in our area and promptly added our names to their waiting lists. Surprisingly, I discovered that in some circles, choosing daycare is often viewed as a last resort—almost as if it’s akin to leaving a child alone in a crib with just a bottle and a bag of snacks. This negative perception of daycare is perplexing.
Now, three years and two children later, I have no regrets about my choice to utilize daycare. While I recognize that many fantastic nannies exist, and they can serve working parents well, I want to advocate for daycare and highlight its many benefits. Here are six reasons why daycare was the ideal fit for my family:
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Avoiding Employee Management
Bringing children into your life brings a mountain of logistical challenges and paperwork. Adding payroll to that mix would complicate things even further. While some might pay their nannies in cash, that’s not a route I was comfortable taking. I wouldn’t feel right without offering benefits and following proper tax procedures. The idea of hiring someone would require navigating a system I had little experience with. As someone who has hired employees in my career, I know how unpredictable it can be; some show up late, while others surprise you with their lack of competence. Since I needed childcare from the time my kids were just a few months old, the thought of leaving them with a stranger only amplified my first-time mom anxieties. -
Professional Caregivers
Daycare teachers are typically well-trained and dedicated professionals who choose to work with children. Despite the high costs of daycare, the teachers are often underpaid, which is a shame. There is a misconception that working mothers feel guilty about not staying home, but I can unequivocally say that I do not. I love my kids dearly, but I also enjoy my work, and I take comfort in knowing my children are in excellent hands. The teachers have been incredibly nurturing and knowledgeable, teaching my daughter valuable skills like dressing herself and using a cup. They offer practical advice for us to implement at home, almost as if they have degrees in child development—what a concept! -
Preserving Household Order
I’m not the type of mom who enjoys messy arts and crafts with my kids. If you can remain calm while your child turns your living room into a creative disaster zone, I commend you! My toddler and I do enjoy cooking together, and we spend plenty of time outdoors, but art projects aren’t our thing. Daycare, on the other hand, allows my kids to engage in creative play in a controlled environment. The teachers are more than willing to handle the mess of finger painting and sensory activities, and I appreciate that they have the resources, like large play equipment, that I just can’t accommodate in my small space. -
Building Immunities
A common concern about daycare is the frequency of illnesses among children, which I often heard from well-meaning relatives. Yes, the first year was filled with colds and rashes, but keeping them home until preschool doesn’t shield them from exposure to germs. They’ll inevitably encounter those same viruses when they start school. It’s a natural part of early childhood, and honestly, it’s easier to manage the illnesses when you’re not under the scrutiny of a work environment. -
Normalizing Working Families
All the children in my kids’ daycare come from households where both parents work. From an early age, they understand that their parents go to work after dropping them off. There’s no confusion or questioning about why Mom and Dad can’t stay and play. Unlike playgroups where families arrive with nannies, my children are raised in an environment where working parents are the norm, which I believe helps them adjust to the concept of work later on. -
No Judgments Here
Whether you have a nanny, are a stay-at-home parent, or have magically compliant children who allow you to work undisturbed, I’m not here to judge! If you’ve found a childcare solution that suits your family, that’s fantastic. We all share common challenges that can sometimes feel overwhelming, and I know firsthand the struggles we face as parents. Daycare is not just a fallback option for families; it can be a genuinely enriching choice. For my family, daycare will always hold a special place in my heart as the nurturing environment that supported my children during the hours I couldn’t be with them.
In closing, if you’re considering your options, remember that daycare can be a remarkable choice for many families. For more information on at-home insemination kits, check out this resource from Make a Mom. And for further support on your parenting journey, WebMD offers excellent insights on treatment options for pregnancy.