Which would YOU choose?

[Tiffearni]

I'm currently a SAHM and mil usually watches DS while I go school part-time.
The initial plan was that mil would continue to watch DS until he begins preschool at DD's school which is next year. Well, mil is going back to work, so I have to figure what I'm going to do.

Mil wants me to apply for this job that has not GREAT pay, but not bad either, great benefits, etc. I would have to do about 6 wks of training before beginning. Then after working there for a little while, I could adjust my hours to better fit my needs, same hours, but shift them so I could pick DD up from school. I could work either part time or full time. I would only work for a year because when DS goes to school, I want to go to school and get a little more serious about it. I've been in school forever, and I still have forever to go. DH doesn't really want me to go to work. He would like me to stay in school and let him worry about the money. Anything I would make would go to childcare, savings or house remodeling or whatever.

Second choice is go to school and put DS in daycare/preschool while I go to school even though it will be extra funds to go towards that which I'm not sure how much it will cost and if we can comfortably afford it -- depending on the cost (how much is preschool typically?)

Then there's the option of just taking a year off and focusing on preparing DS for school like I did with DD. I'm not sure how DH would feel about this because he will probably still want me to go to school, but I really don't think DS is prepared to go to preschool yet behavior-wise... I'm honestly really afraid that because I'm still struggling to teach DS not to hit and kick and how to deal with his frustration, etc that I don't want to send him to school and become labeled a "bad" kid and maybe risk being mistreated.

I'm really nervouse about daycare, preschool because DD didn't go to either, but even if she did, she was a VERY good kid but like I said she didn't attend either. She went straight to Kindergarten.

My kids are RARELY cared for by anyone besides me or my DH, and if they are it's always either grandparents or someone very close to us that we know we can trust.


My stomach is just sort of churning over this whole thing. I don't deal well with change to begin with, but then on top of that... this is regarding the care and well-being of my child.



One other thing, if I do go to work then that interferes with DD also because I will have to have her in some type of afterschool childcare.




Sooo. Please give me your thoughts and opinions. What would YOU do?

[Rieckah]

I'd take the year off if we could afford it.

[vulturemom]

I would take the time off if possible

[Tiffearni]

Honestly, that's what I'd REALLY like to do, but I'm just not sure how DH will feel about that. I don't think he would be happy about that, cause he really wants me to continue with school.

[Rieckah]

Can you take some online courses or just a few classes a week? Do you know anyone that you could trade babysitting with?

[oomaumau04]

I agree with the above...taking a class or two is less of a strain on your time, but would allow you to at least continue. Online classes are even better.

[Tiffearni]

I just looked for online classes and there weren't any classes available that I needed. Ugh. I typically only take 2 or 3 classes during the semester because I'd like to be home with DS as much as possible until he goes to school. I'm currently scheduled for much more this semester, but I am prepared to drop them if necessary. I have a friend I may ask to watch him, but I really don't think she will be able to due to her own schedule. There is another lady that I would probably trust him with. She even runs a daycare out of her home, but she doesn't accept part-timers on a regular basis and she's also too full. I've already mentioned it to her. Her daughter JUST had a baby also, so she will be caring for him while her daughter goes to school, so I know she has her hands full.

I really don't know anyone else.

[hotlama]

I would take a year off or just take one or two classes.

[hotlama]

If you are working and going to school, it won't leave much time for getting your DS ready for school.

[Tiffearni]

If you are working and going to school, it won't leave much time for getting your DS ready for school.

Good point. That's true.

[cream_city]

I think that if he's going to be 4 soon, that a year of preschool would be a good experience for him. Part of the way that you can prepare a child for school is by having them go to a good preschool for a limited number of hours. Personally, I think that preschool is a great thing, and that it makes the transition to kindergarten easier.

Why don't you try to find a part-time preschool that your son can go to even 2 or 3 mornings/week. Then you'd have time to take at least one class, and he'd be developing some of the skills he'd need for school.

Preschool is different than daycare -- it is their job to help him with aggressive behaviors, show him how to get along with other children, etc. Preschool may go over colors or letters, but it's really not academic. It's all about socializing kids. Plus, my son has LOVED all his preschool teachers -- I think that kind of attachment to a teacher is a good thing for starting education off on the right foot.

Everywhere I've lived, there has been at least one "good" preschool that was highly recommended. If you're in a more urban area, there will be lots of options. Why don't you ask around -- even teachers at the elementary school or other moms will probably know which ones to check out.

[Tiffearni]

Thank you so much for your opinions guys! My stomach's not churning as much now.

I've decided I'm not going to go through with the job. Extra money is always useful, but I don't think it's worth it at this time.

I would like to continue going to school this semester, but I will only be taking 1 or 2 classes. I have been contacting preschools and daycares all morning. I made appointments with 2 of them so far. 1 I actually interviewed once before with my mil for one of her class assignments. It will be nice to get an inside perspective.

I need to know as much as possible about how to find a "good" place for him. I really don't know anyone who has kids in daycare or preschool except the one at DD's school which is where I was going to take DS next year. They won't accept him yet though, cause he doesn't meet the cutoff for this year. It's only for 4 year olds by Sept 1, or something like that.

I'm still planning to ask a trustable friend, but I'm just checking around for in case she can't do it. There's a good chance that she WON'T be able to watch him. She is on vacation right now though, so she won't be back until the beginning of August.


We'll see how things go. Thanks again for all of your opinions!

[Jacksmommy]

I'd take the year off.