Toddler

Mom Confessions: I'm on Vacation, But My Kid Is Going to Day Care

by Cynthia Dermody December 26, 2008 at 7:18 AM

It's time for a Mom Confession -- because, let's face it, we're real mothers and sometimes it doesn't work the way the parenting books say it should.

This Week's Confession:

"My husband and I have a few days off from work, but we still plan on taking our daughter to day care one of the days. We are paying for it and we never get a break. I personally think that any spare moment you can spend with your child is priceless, but sometimes its nice to have a day to yourself. She will play and paint and do crafts, and have a good time, so I figure no harm done." --anonymous

Are you putting your child into day care over the holiday break? Should working moms do this? Why or why not?

We all have secrets -- so thanks to this brave mom for sharing her honest thoughts, and thank you for keeping this conversation non-judgemental!

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Filed Under: confessions

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor because somebody has to be.

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Comments 119

Zamaria

September 12, 2011 at 10:11 PM

I take my 10 month old step son to daycare every other Friday. I work nights, so I am always home during the day, but some days I just need a break. He loves going to daycare though. He gets so excited when we get out of the car and he realizes where we are! If he didnt like it I probably wouldn't take him though. But he does, so, every other Friday I take him after he wakes up and eats breakfast, usually around 7:30, and I pick him back up around 4:30 or 5. I go home, take a nap, run errands, read a book, whatever I usually don't have time to do, and I don't feel even a little bit bad about it!

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Nonmember comment from Stephanie

January 3, 2012 at 10:29 AM

I get that you need a break, but if both of you work full time, most if your child's waking hours are spent being comforted, played with, educated, fed, and cared for by someone else. You need to step up and actually be their mom whenever you get the chance, not just when you feel like it. As a teacher, it's both heartbreaking and frustrating when I get kids who've spent every day day in childcare since they were 6 weeks old. You can always tell which ones they are, and although they don't talk about how it hurt them every day, when they do it's hard to hear. I don't think working moms have any clue how much they hurt their children.

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Jackiehawk

January 25, 2012 at 4:48 PM

In my situation I use daycare for all it's worth. Do i take my kids out of daycare for mommy time? Absolutely - for multiple days! However when I need a break I have no problem leaving them there to have me time, run errands that take 1/2 as long without kids, or do something with just 1 kid, like taking 1 to the dr to get shots. It allows me to be a better mom & pay attention to things that are necessary. That being said, I can't wait for work to end so I can spend some time with them!

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Nonmember comment from Jennifer

February 19, 2012 at 9:50 PM

I agree only if you need a break and not use it as a babysitter service. And if you are full pay its ok. If you are getting state help and just sitting on your ads all day doing nothing then I don't think you need a break. I work in daycare and I know parents that ditch their children because they don't want them around. I said my peace.

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Nonmember comment from braydensmom

February 27, 2012 at 10:01 AM

I run an in home daycare and it makes me so mad when parents bring their kids when they aren't working. I'm not here so they can go play hookie. I'm here so they can go to work to make a living. I have most kids 10+ hours a day. Id like that one on one time with my son but I don't get it if parents bring their kids even when they're not working.

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Nonmember comment from Krista

February 27, 2012 at 12:56 PM

Omg! Yes! I do! I am paying for it and it's one day that I can spend the whole day cleaning the house without my toddler hanging on my leg! My house thanks me, my sanity thanks me and believe it or not, my kid does too when she comes home and all her long lost items have been found and organized for her to lose again :)

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333sandy

June 11, 2012 at 9:42 PM

As a childcare provider at a daycare center I see parents do this all the time. Rest assured the providers not looking at you as "parent of the year ". Kids need a break too. Daycare isn't all painting and smiling. Its tiring to kids. Rules, sharing, crying, fighting, and sometimes just needing your mom. You had these kids! You should appreciate some time with them! Obviously you are away from them while you work because ymthey are e rolled in child care

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Nonmember comment from Nesa

October 22, 2012 at 5:59 PM

I watch one child for 12 hours a day. She comes at 6:45, leaves at 6:45. Her bedtime is 8 pm. I have read on numerous occasions on his parents FB that they're shopping, going to the movies, eating out, etc Even after taking some days off of work. I will still have the boy Mon-Fri for 12 hours. By the time he gets home its past 7 then its time for dinner, bath, and bed. In this case no I think its absolutely wrong for this parent to dump their kid on me on their days off/vacation. Their child spends less than an hour with their parents a day. It makes me angry. This particular parent has left me in charge of potty training, doing hair, feeding, etc for her son. Nothing makes me madder than when i see she's out having a great time and I'm playing mommy to a child that's not mine.

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