I agree, ladyfingers86. If you have a quality facility in your area, they can also do things with your child that you may not do at home. The place where my kids had music, art (a lot more than I would ever do at home), foreign language, dance, martial arts, a lot more toys than I have the space or money for at home, and they learned how to share with others and speak in front of a group.
I vaguely remember an occasion where my parents left me somewhere like daycare (this was in the days before it had that name; guess they probably called it a ‘nursery school’.) I hated it, bigtime. The whole thing seemed to be geared toward those who were way behind me developmentally. And the fact that there was a pecking order already, so early, really irked me. I was probably all of four years old, but all I wanted was to never go there again.
Whether Elly really needs to do this for herself right now is up to her, I guess . . . but Lizzie isn’t going to be this young forever. In no time, Elly’s going to turn around and her daughter will be old enough to start first grade. I think if that had been me, I’d have waited to get a volunteer “job” when that happened. But then, I guess that’s just me.
Well, here’s the thing. With every child, there is a time when they need to do something on their own. It’s different for each parent and each child. When the time comes, you both know and you are both happy when you start (happened to me today with my youngest).
It’s folly to say “I should have appreciated X more when they were younger”. We as humans are designed to get sick of X because children do grow, and it helps us prepare for it. Even if we want nothing mroe than to hold our children every day for 5 years, we will not be able to want it, and it will drive them insane.
It’s good to find what’s best for each family. There are good and bad parts to every age. Elly isn’t giving her daughter up. She is getting a few hours apart some days, so that she and her daughter can both grow and learn to appreciate the time together so much more, in a way you can’t force, but has to come naturally with separation.
Of course, as Lynn implies, society and some people (maybe not John) may make us feel guilty, but I think most families know what’s right for us, be it work from week 6 of a baby’s life or stay together every minute to age 6.
pouncingtiger almost 13 years ago
A mother’s separation anxiety kicks in.
lightenup Premium Member almost 13 years ago
I agree, ladyfingers86. If you have a quality facility in your area, they can also do things with your child that you may not do at home. The place where my kids had music, art (a lot more than I would ever do at home), foreign language, dance, martial arts, a lot more toys than I have the space or money for at home, and they learned how to share with others and speak in front of a group.
NE1956 almost 13 years ago
Well that ain’t gonna happen. Also notice John slowly turning away from Elly.
dwandelt Premium Member almost 13 years ago
I vaguely remember an occasion where my parents left me somewhere like daycare (this was in the days before it had that name; guess they probably called it a ‘nursery school’.) I hated it, bigtime. The whole thing seemed to be geared toward those who were way behind me developmentally. And the fact that there was a pecking order already, so early, really irked me. I was probably all of four years old, but all I wanted was to never go there again.
kab2rb almost 13 years ago
dwandelt I guess my two fell int the category of way behind.
Allan CB Premium Member almost 13 years ago
Tiger and Susan have been reading Lynn’s comments! LOL
Those were nearly her exact words.
keltii almost 13 years ago
Now a days, you need to register your child for a good daycare BEFORE it’s even born! The back up is a huge waiting list.
hippogriff almost 13 years ago
night gaunt: Because exceptional schools require exceptional staff and unfortunately there is a limited supply of those.
falcon_370f almost 13 years ago
Remember what happened when “Horton hatched the Egg?”
redarmrest almost 13 years ago
I think Lizzie will be okay…Elly on the other hand…not so much.
iced tea almost 13 years ago
Elly is a real good mother. She needs to do things for herself though.
Gretchen's Mom almost 13 years ago
Whether Elly really needs to do this for herself right now is up to her, I guess . . . but Lizzie isn’t going to be this young forever. In no time, Elly’s going to turn around and her daughter will be old enough to start first grade. I think if that had been me, I’d have waited to get a volunteer “job” when that happened. But then, I guess that’s just me.
masnadies almost 13 years ago
Well, here’s the thing. With every child, there is a time when they need to do something on their own. It’s different for each parent and each child. When the time comes, you both know and you are both happy when you start (happened to me today with my youngest).
It’s folly to say “I should have appreciated X more when they were younger”. We as humans are designed to get sick of X because children do grow, and it helps us prepare for it. Even if we want nothing mroe than to hold our children every day for 5 years, we will not be able to want it, and it will drive them insane.
It’s good to find what’s best for each family. There are good and bad parts to every age. Elly isn’t giving her daughter up. She is getting a few hours apart some days, so that she and her daughter can both grow and learn to appreciate the time together so much more, in a way you can’t force, but has to come naturally with separation.
Of course, as Lynn implies, society and some people (maybe not John) may make us feel guilty, but I think most families know what’s right for us, be it work from week 6 of a baby’s life or stay together every minute to age 6.