busydaycarelady
02-03-2014, 08:54 AM
Good morning ladies!
Long story short, I began doing a home daycare when my daughter was 1 so I could stay home with her and earn some money while my husband was in full time university. It was a struggle financially and I entered this job with the mindset that once he graduated we would have another baby and once that baby arrived, I would close the daycare and focus on my little family.
Well, I am due end of April and while I will definetely be done with one of my familues(apparently they no longer discipline but 'talk') I find I am at a crossroad. I am wondering how my 5 year old girl will adjust/feel about always just having mommy and a newborn to hang out with? Will she be lonely or bored? Am I doing her a disservice by not bringing back any playmates? She is very excited about baby but I know it will be a shock once baby arrives at just HOW different things can be.
I am currently debating taking 6-8 weeks off postpartum and then bringing back one family. Their kids are 6 and 4 and very well behaved. Parents pay on time and I know they absolutely have very flexible schedules so of was thinking of also modifying drop offs slightly to make sure I have time to get ready, nurse baby, etc. My worry is how will it be if baby has kept me up all night, etc. I also worry about them bringing illness into my home and making baby sick. Thinking of possibly hiring an assistant or someone a few hours a day if I find I am exhausted. As for my third family , my daughter loves those kids but the 2year old is a handful and I feel it may end up being too stressful with that one as well. She is very babied and even refuses to self feed sometimes.
Anyone else in the same boat? Or have you been her before? What was your experience doing dayhome with your newborn? What was your experience closing either temporarily (and for how long) or closing for good (and how did your older children adjust).
Any and all feedback is very appreciated! I know it is ultimately my decision but I feel like I need to hear about other peoples experiences as well.
Long story short, I began doing a home daycare when my daughter was 1 so I could stay home with her and earn some money while my husband was in full time university. It was a struggle financially and I entered this job with the mindset that once he graduated we would have another baby and once that baby arrived, I would close the daycare and focus on my little family.
Well, I am due end of April and while I will definetely be done with one of my familues(apparently they no longer discipline but 'talk') I find I am at a crossroad. I am wondering how my 5 year old girl will adjust/feel about always just having mommy and a newborn to hang out with? Will she be lonely or bored? Am I doing her a disservice by not bringing back any playmates? She is very excited about baby but I know it will be a shock once baby arrives at just HOW different things can be.
I am currently debating taking 6-8 weeks off postpartum and then bringing back one family. Their kids are 6 and 4 and very well behaved. Parents pay on time and I know they absolutely have very flexible schedules so of was thinking of also modifying drop offs slightly to make sure I have time to get ready, nurse baby, etc. My worry is how will it be if baby has kept me up all night, etc. I also worry about them bringing illness into my home and making baby sick. Thinking of possibly hiring an assistant or someone a few hours a day if I find I am exhausted. As for my third family , my daughter loves those kids but the 2year old is a handful and I feel it may end up being too stressful with that one as well. She is very babied and even refuses to self feed sometimes.
Anyone else in the same boat? Or have you been her before? What was your experience doing dayhome with your newborn? What was your experience closing either temporarily (and for how long) or closing for good (and how did your older children adjust).
Any and all feedback is very appreciated! I know it is ultimately my decision but I feel like I need to hear about other peoples experiences as well.