Considering Daycare? Consider the Pros and Cons.

When you’re a parent it’s a difficult decision to know whether to send your child to daycare or not. We have provided many of pros and cons of sending your child to daycare for your consideration. In our opinion, nothing replaces day-to-day interaction that you can provide with your child. We also believe that some interaction with other children either through occasional daycare, part-time, or through play-groups and other educational learning programs are invaluable. We also recognize that Mom or Dad also needs to have a break and occasional daycare can provide that for them. What we don’t believe in is a baby or toddler being in someone else’s care for eight hours or more a day everyday! That’s not fair to your child. So with all that in mind, please consider pros and cons listed below. And may you make right decision for your children and yourself.

UPSIDE of Daycare: ·Always more than one person available to watch, care for, supervise, and feed your child ·Interaction with other children ·Develop social skills at an early age ·Kid’s days are pretty much scheduled, routine, and consistent ·Daycare centers don't call in sick ·Kids receive a lot of mental stimulation ·Your house stays neater (although my son can make a mess in minutes) ·The kids enjoy change of scenery and toys ·Cost is less than for a nanny ·English-as-second-language kids have more exposure to English

DOWNSIDES of Daycare: ·Nighttime baths vs. possibly every other day ·Laying out their clothes ·Packing nutritious lunches vs. fast food snacks ·Morning rush to get out of house on time ·Allow extra time to make stop and drop-off ·Your child screaming, “Mommy don’t go!!” ·The guilt and bad feelings because you’re leaving them behind ·Less one-on-one attention from caregivers ·Potential personality conflicts at center between parents and staff ·Potential personality conflicts between children ·Ethics taught are centers or caregiver ·Values taught are centers or caregiver ·Possibly no ethics or values taught at all ·Political influences are those at center/school ·Less bonding between parent and child ·Child learns early on that you won’t be there for them when they need you ·You don’t get to see and experience all “firsts” that your child goes through ·You can NEVER recapture those things you miss ·When your child has a boo-boo you’re not there to make it better ·When your child is excited about what she/he has learned, you’re not there at moment they want to share it with you ·When they’re not feeling well you leave them to someone else to care for them ·When they’re sick no one will baby them like you will ·More exposure to health issues: ringworm, lice, and colds/flues ·You’re not there to kiss away their tears ·You’re not there to waylay their fears ·You’re not there to set their wild ideas back on track ·No opportunity to have a spontaneous day ·No time to do “nothing at all” together ·To experience joy of holding and watching your child sleep for hours (hopefully) ·You’re not there to teach them to climb a tree ·To explore bugs and insects ·To plant a seed and watch it grow ·Playing “what do you see in clouds” ·Less time to go to beach, woods, hiking, swimming, biking, skating, etc. ·No time to just “play” ·To be your kid’s playmate ·To experience getting to be a kid all over again with your child ·Seeing and experiencing life through eyes of your child ·No time to make pancakes in morning ·No time to bake real cookies ·Not there to put a band aid on invisible oweee ·Not get to see your child’s imagination develop ·Not get to see their personal development as much as you could ·Don’t get to see them beaming with pride at their BIG accomplishments ·Infants and toddlers spending 6-8-10 hours a day away from Mom or Dad ·The cost of daycare is an added expense: financial and emotional

"Stranger Danger" revisited: Concentrate on situations and actions!

Children do not understand concept of "stranger". When you try to explain to them, it is even difficult to explain. Therefore, situations need to be discussed and acted out for young children to understand what to watch out for! It needs to be communicated, that strangers are not necessarily bad, but unknown. You are not being impolite to be cautious with people you don't know, just being SAFE!   1. The child's age is an important consideration: * Children aged 3-5: They are curious and may be naturally trusting. They also easily respond to adult attempts to be kind and supportive. Toddlers and preschoolers do not necessarily grasp long-term consequences of potentially dangerous situations. They live in now, hence "mine!" attitudes. * Children aged 6-9: School age children have more of an ability to determine and understand right from wrong. They are able to remember information and put it to practical use. They may still get overwhelmed in challenging situations. * Children aged 10-13: These children are not good judges of their ability to handle bad situations. They may also feel that they should not be scared in difficult situations and can act too relaxed about their attitudes toward risk.   2. Parent's attitudes and approaches can make difference. Parents must set right tone for their children. If parents are calm when discussing tough or scary topics, children will be better able to learn and listen about possible dangers. Parents must monitor their own fear and be careful not to alarm their children unnecessarily.   3. Deliver information in age appropriate ways. Younger children (toddlers and preschoolers) will get more out of role-playing situations and repeated conversations. Older children (school age) can discuss current events or real situations to continue safety education process. Teaching our children and learning how they interpret information is a continual process in order to keep them safe from stranger dangers.