When Did You Put your Child in Daycare?

Question

I don't have friends with children so my 18-month-old daughter rarely gets to play with other kids, so I'm getting kind of worried. I know a few people with kids but I don't know how to approach them, I don't want to sound like a loser ...

So what age did you finally put your child in daycare?

Answer 1

I never put my children in daycare, but I did put them both in a school thatoffered part time hours.  I picked the days and times.  They only went twice a week for a few hours.  It really helped with their social skills.  I didn't start until they were 3 though.  Before that we met moms and kids at our local library for classes and through programs at the ymca.

Answer 2

If you don't need daycare.You really shouldn't use it as a play date kinda thing. Studies show that not only do children that went to daycare get sick more often, they also developed behavioral patterns of older children.e.i. attitudes..so I really wouldn't if I were you.

Answer 3

You don't need to put your child in daycare, which costs $$$, just to have someone to play with.  Go to Yahoo groups and search for playgroups/moms groups in your area.  You can find some friends for both you and your daughter that way, and she can have some socialization.  :)

Answer 4

I put my son in daycare at 1. I had no choice though. I don't know your schedule, but you can do daycare for part time if you are that worried about lack of child interaction.

Answer 5

I never put my child in daycare and she is an only child.  The best thing to do is take your child to the park to play and let her mingle with children there, and you will not look like a loser if you ask someone you know to have a play date because most people like their children interacting with people they know and feel safe around.

Answer 6

You don't need daycare if you aren't working outside the home. YOu might look into tot programs at your local YMCA, mom's day out programs, or a preschool. (Preschools for kids this age are usually just a couple of hours 2-3 days a week.)  

Answer 7

Daycare is a wonderful thing for kids.  I think that you should wait until she's at least 2 1/2 to 3 though.  I believe that kids actually benefit from daycare.  But make sure it's a daycare that acutally has a learning curriculum.  Kids who know their alphabet, colors, shapes, numbers and other basics have a smoother transition into elementary not to mention the great social skills they develop.  I'm not sure where you live but here in California if you don't know how these things and then some, such as writing your name and some basic addition, the kids are completely behind in kindergarten.  It's a personal decision but I know there are many benefits.  The only drawback is that they do tend to get sick more often but that can be minimized by giving your child chewable vitamins with extra vitamin c and regularly washing her hands.  You can also look at your local park for mommy and me classes as well as local blogs for playdates.  She definitely needs to be with other kids for social skills.  Good luck and have fun!

Answer 8

Mine went in daycare when there were tiny because I worked.  But you don't have to do daycare to have interactions with other kids. I don't know where you live, but there may be "mommy and me" groups or something similar.  And if you know people with kids, it is not that weird to set up "play dates."  If you go to church at all, maybe you could organize a group that meets once a week or something for the kids to get together at the park or at someones house.  There are lots of options for you! Good luck!

Answer 9

When my son was 15 months I enrolled him in a daycare for 2 mornings a week.  That way I could go to my prenatal appts. for my youngest and have a break.   He had a hard time at first because he hadn't been away from me much but after a few weeks he really got into it and now he loves it.  You could also try going to a church that has a nursery or a toddler Sunday School class.  You can go online and see if there is a MOPS group or Mommy and Me class nearby.  

Answer 10

My daughter started daycare at 6 months but only because her father and I both have to work.

I think 18 months to 2 years would be a good age to start a child in a daycare program.

Answer 11

I didn't put my kids in daycare.  Google "Mommy and Me" and you can find a playgroup in your area.  We've been with the same playgroup for 5 years now.  It's great fun for the kids and good for the moms, too.  Good luck.

Answer 12

6 weeks....I had to go back to work.  Yesterday was my oldest son's first day of Kdg and he seemed to adjust a lot easier than some of the other kids...

Answer 13

I found a regular sitter for my daughter when she was 8 months old.  A lady up the road watches her, she is a SAHM with 4 kids of her own (schoolage except for one).  From being up there, my daughter has always been around other kids and also other adults.  As for a licensed daycare, I put her in at 18 months, at a time when my sitter's husband had an accident and she couldn't watch her for 2 weeks.  I've been lucky enough to have our regular sitter, and use the daycare facility as a backup when necessary.  My daughter gets the same experience at the sitter's basically as she did at the daycare, only more personal.