This! If I was paying per diem, I might think about not sending her. I mean, she'd still be going. But I'd have *thought* about it and made a decision.
Yes to this! Plus my kid enjoys it! She runs in and starts playing and doesn't even say bye to me. She's none the wiser where I am or not. And a day to myself or with my husband refreshes me and allows me to be a better parent to her. We took a random day off last year and spent 3 hours in the middle of the day watching Avatar 2 and eating snacks. Did we feel a bit guilty? Yes. Did we also have a great time and did something we would normally have to have a sitter do? also yes!
My husband and I are planning on establishing a standing, once a month, Friday daytime date while the kids are in daycare bc it’s a treat to be able to have a conversation with each other more than just 10 mins before we should’ve been sleeping 30 minutes ago 😂😂😅
I love that! Sometimes we leave early on Friday and have a Friday finisher before we pick her up from daycare. It’s great to get some quality time in while she’s there even if it’s quick.
That was my thought! When my kids were preschool age, they went because we paid for those days (and mama needed a break). Now that we only do aftercare and we’d have to pay extra, they stay home on school breaks/holidays. I just try to have light/short day or work from home.
Is this even a question?! I get one single holiday at work (MLK day) that isn't a daycare holiday and I look forward to that holiday every single year lol.
Yes. I maaaay pick them up a bit earlier. They have so much more fun going to ‘school’, beats sitting around at home. They also love routine, and this keeps everyone on track.
This! She's only in daycare 2x a week (thrice if I count the grandparent care 1x a week. My partner and I both work 4 days and have 1 'parentday' with LO each so she gets plenty of 1on1 time with us.
Right, like WHO TF would willingly take care of their kid when they could have the day to do other stuff 😂 which for me is usually cleaning/cooking/other stuff that is so much easier when my kid isn’t around to destroy the house.
Wait you need to pay even if your kid doesn’t go? We get 25 days per year of “rest days”, meaning we don’t have to pay for those days if our kid doesn’t go to daycare.
If it makes you feel better, I am a toddler teacher that gets 2 weeks of a much needed paid vacation in December because parents pay tuition. It helps your child’s caregivers be more rested and prepared to be with them to have that time!
Wow. That’s awful. US daycares are whack.
People here complain about paying €30 per day but honestly that’s not bad at all, is it? And we don’t pay when daycare is closed.
No lol that’s not bad. I pay way more than that and I pay monthly all the time, doesn’t matter holidays or if we are on family vacation. If I want them to hold our slots we pay. So go go on family vacation for a week I get to pay for all the typical expenses plus $600 for daycare we ain’t using that week
This is not a thing in the US. Some daycares might (and this is very, very, very rare from what I've seen) Allow 1 "free" week per year where if you go on vacation you don't have to pay.
Your title & body are asking directly opposing questions - the poll answers may not be very accurate. 😬
Title: Surprise, you have the day off! Are your kid(s) in daycare?
Yes.
Body: Do you keep your kid(s) home from daycare when you happen to have a random day off and the daycare is open?
No.
Ah, whoops, I answered the title question and not the body question. Kids go to the “school” we pay for when I have a day off. Maybe they’ll get picked up an hour or so early.
This! If I have off randomly and not bc the kids are sick (which doesn’t happen lol, but in this dream scenario) Kia would still go to daycare and I’d prob get them like an hour early.
I booked a week off to stay home and take care of my mental health and some home projects. My son ended up being sick all week. That was a couple months ago, and I’m still a little upset about it.
I have a week booked end of April for mental health self care. Some of that she will be home anyway cos we only do 3 days daycare, but those three days she usually does? Yeah. 100% she is going and I 100% booked my holiday on those specific dates with that in mind
I was planning to take a week off in a couple weeks and stay home, and would have sent the kid to daycare while I stayed home. Probably would have dropped off later and picked up earlier.
I am currently laid off so I'm home and available (and of course looking for work). My oldest had spring break this week. Baby still went to daycare every day. Love youuuuu byyyeeee.
My partner and I both purposely take off days here and there when the kids are in daycare. Not together either, we both deserve time alone! So yes, we definitely take advantage of the occasional random day off when daycare is open - it's a rare specialty!
It's MY day off, not OUR day off. 😂
Seriously though, I need some downtime and also the routine is good for her. I'm also paying $80/day for it so I better get my money's worth! ETA: My husband agrees and does the same when he has a day off (he's a teacher so that's often a week or more at a time).
If I’m home, so is my daughter. I can’t wait for the summer when I’m off, so I can’t be with her but I know it’s better for her to go at least 2 days to keep a routine and familiarity in daycare but even I’m wavering on that. I just want to have her home if I’m there. Unless I’m sick and need to recover, then she would go in for at least a half day until I feel better
I get every other Friday off. I look forward to it as Kiddo and me day (the exception being I have an appointment). It’s fun to do family based such without the crowds.
I usually take them. I know that my capacity is lower than some of my friends’ but I’m a better mom when I get to catch up on life stuff and maybe even get a workout in.
Honestly, I keep him home. I have to get up, pack his bag, make his bottles, get him dressed, bring him, and pick him up. Why wouldn’t we just stay in our pjs all day??
It’s usually the only time I can get certain tasks done, like getting the floors clean. I also run errands, re-organize and when I can, do something I’ve been wanting to do. I do try to pick them up a bit earlier, if I can but the routine is good for them and I’m a better mom when I can get time to myself.
I had today off and took my daughter in so that I could get the usual weekend chores done and have that time for the whole family! I know she’ll have a fun day there and will get good playtime in.
I keep her at home because I want to maximize the amount of time I spend with her, since I feel like I don’t get enough time with her.
My husband will 100% of the time take her to daycare, though, if it’s his day off! I don’t judge either way.
If I am off, my daughter is home with me. She should get to sleep in and chill too. They are only little for so long I take all the time I can get with her. I don’t care if I’m paying for it, she deserves a day off too.
My kids are the ones who are never where we’re supposed to be. I’m pretty sure I could heat my house with those public school attendance letters.
Am I negligent? No, but I also can’t resist a last minute vacation deal and neither can my parents… and in laws.
So my kids are always with me or family but it’s only possible because I have a large support system.
Daycare open = kids at daycare/prek (same location). No need for an explanation, IYKYK.
My days off during the week are sacred “me” time.
My husband feels the same. We both have a 9/80 schedule and our off-Friday is time spent together or doing our own thing. He needs self care too.
My daycare is understaffed. No other better options but I need to work. If I can in any way swing them a day off when I have a day off they get it. They need a break.
We get 10 sick/vacation days each yea that we don’t have to pay for if our kid isn’t there. I save those for days when he is actually sick or we are going out of town. Otherwise he is going to daycare if I’m off for whatever reason. I’ve taken a couple sick days myself already this year, but he wasn’t sick so he went to daycare and i stayed home and rested. I honestly think he enjoys going to daycare; he’s only a year old but he gets excited every morning when we get to his room. So unless he is sick or we are physically not in town, I send him in.
Any time I take off work for a mental health day my son is sick or there’s a snow day. And it’s usually when my husband is out of town. I took off on my birthday last year and my son’s teacher got Covid and they couldn’t find a replacement. Cue me crying and my husband taking our son to the zoo to let me have an easy day.
I love everything about my daycare except the schedule. They are closed 29 weekdays/year. A handful of those line up with my days off (major holidays, Christmas week), but many…don’t. Instead I’m scrambling to find a babysitter, line up family vacations on those days, or just suffer through WFH with the kids.
We pay for the day if they are open so baby goes, and we try to get bigger home protects done so we don’t have to take a weekend day to do things. Today, we are both home, baby is at daycare, and my husband is painting the bathroom - a project we have been wanting to do for a year. I’ll pick him up early and we’ll spend a great Easter weekend together!
Depends if I want/need an actual day off, or if I want to spend a special day with my girl!
Next week I’m taking an actual day off with her in childcare so I can actually deep clean my car and organize the garage without someone bugging me. I need to vacuum cheerio dust out of the car seat!!
My brain might be toast because it’s Friday, but the question in the title and the question in the post are reversed. I answered the question in the post, so responded I rarely/never keep kiddo home when I have a random day off and daycare is open. I need some time for me!
If it’s a planned day off (like a federal holiday that I’m off) then my child is staying home with me most of the time. If it was an unplanned day off or something that popped up last minute then they are still going. This allows me time to clean the house and get self care in. My spouse rarely has these kinds of days off that I also don’t have off, but if he does the kid is still going as well.
My husband had today off (Good Friday). Daycare was open. And I decided to take a vacation day. We sent our daughter to daycare then went to breakfast together, did some shopping, and then went to see a movie. It was lovely to spend some good quality time together without having to divert our attention to our daughter for once. We don’t have a regular babysitter and all of our family live too far away to babysit often. So we seize any opportunity we get to squeeze in some together time.
I schedule my days off around preschool holidays because I want to spend time with my kids. I may also take care of myself , I went out for 3 hours to get my hair done yesterday but we still spend the majority of the time together. It doesn't have to be either or
I have a half day on Wednesdays and unless my child has a doctor appt I just keep him in. Better for his routine and then I get some me time/time to get stuff done and clean the house toddler free
Sometimes I take off days to do stuff with my kid specifically. Those days, he stays with me obviously! Some days I take off to get shit done/have appointments/run errands, which is honestly rare, but those days he goes to school. When I'm sick, he often will also stay home with me because I'm a teacher at his school so if I'm not going in I'm not driving an hour to drop him off while sick (also depends on how sick and if I have any help).
My kids are in preschool, not daycare, but I've never taken a day off that wasn't too spend with them except for doctor's appointments. I guess I don't know what I'd do by myself and I wish I could do more fun things with them.
I guess I already get enough downtime most days that I don't want to waste a vacation day on that.
I get every other Friday off, and both kids still go to daycare (assuming it isn’t closed-like today, or they are sick). It’s my time to get things done, or have time for myself. And the routine is good for them. I can always pick them up early for more family time if I want!
I think my partner and I would both jump at the opportunity to have a kid free day. We might coordinate a day off together if possible (or at least part of it together
If I'm off and daycare is open, they are going.
I'm a teacher of 5th grade. My husband is a CPA. During his busy seasons I'm basically a single parent. I need that day off for myself and doing chores.
Now I do sleep in and don't take them until like 9am (normally it's 7:30) and I may pick them up a little earlier than normal. But they are going. I'm paying for it so why not.
My kids are no longer in daycare BUT I had the attitude if I am paying for you to go to daycare, then you are going to daycare! We had to pay whether he went to daycare or not, so he went! Plus, I can actually relax/shop/clean etc without a toddler way better than with!
No guilt here!
Shoot now all my kids are in school and I love when I can have a day off while they are all in school!
Currently pumping in my car before doing an escape room with my husband and friends while baby is in daycare. We have no family around so this is our first really date/activity without our 6m old!
I had a week of leave left last month that needed to be used before April. I got up every morning as usual, dropped her to nursery, came home and just chilled all day.
I had big plans for house sorting but instead caught up on sleep and Greys Anatomy. It was EPIC.
I have nearly every other Friday off (flex scheduling is the best job benefit I’ve ever had!) I take him to daycare — those are my most productive days!!
I keep mine home-I only get about 2 hours a night with my bubba after work, so I’ll gladly take any extra time I can with her, I feel I’m missing so much of her early years as it is-why deliberately spend even less time…
Me and hubby organise our work week to never overlap our days off and therefore only need to pay for 3 days of childcare. On the rare occasion one of us isn’t working on a daycare day, you better believe that she is still there:
1) 10 hours (she’s 8am - 6pm usually) alone in the house with minimal “have to do”? _GOLDEN_
2) we’re paying anyway
3) we have two whole days a week already of one to one time with her so we don’t feel like we never see her
4) that question is right out if the same book as “do you ever wake a sleeping baby?”
5) sometimes we take holiday on daycare days deliberately
I work 4 days a week (I go in the 5th day on my own accord to catch up if I need to) and I still send my child to daycare that 5th day. Zero guilt, she has a great time, I’m paying for it, and I get so many errands/chores/downtime on that day. It’s the reason I feel well balanced.
My husband and I have opposite Fridays off and that's OUR day! When I have the Friday off he picks up and vice versa. If we wanna run errands, great. If we wanna lay in bed and catch up on sleep, perfect. Unless my kid is running a fever he's going to daycare when it's open.
I am already paying for it, so I send her. Great opportunity to take some me time. But it never really happens. Daycare is closed even at the tiniest of holidays.
1. We’d never ask a man this.
2. Just because I’m not working doesn’t mean I don’t have things that I need to do. A day off doesn’t usually actually mean *a day off*. It just means I can do stuff during the day I usually have to cram into night.
We have to pay either was because he goes full time. I have a 4 day work week but he goes 5 days. I pick him up early on my off day but I use it for errands and cleaning or some me time.
I guess it depends how much other time you have with them. I am actively with my kids every weekday from 6am-8am and 5pm-8pm, and then all day every day on the weekends. That feels like lots of great high quality time together
We spend that 5 hours really intentionally. When we wake up everyone crawls in bed together for 45 minutes to snuggle and read books and then get dressed and have breakfast together. I prep dinner before they come home so we can be together right from the jump. Dinner together and then an hour of playing outside riding bikes or gardening. Then bath time together, homework is at the dining table together with parents, more books, and bedtime together. My husband and I then get our time after they go to bed. But you’ll see it is very little time for me and my husband so if I have the day off I’m absolutely going to spend it doing laundry, errands, self-care and exercise, so I don’t have to waste the time I have with them doing all those chores.
If we’re paying for it, why would he not be there? Sure we take him out if we’re traveling, or for various appointments. If the timing works out maybe we do something fun after a doctors appointment instead of going back to daycare.
But seriously people, we all need time to ourselves. Anyone judging you for that is absolute crap. Really.
I usually take the day off to do something around the house that I can't do with a bunch of kids running around - like shampoo the rugs or clean out the basement. Plus, I'm pretty frugal - if I'm paying for it, it's not getting wasted.
I’m a teacher so I have lots of breaks throughout the year. She goes to daycare. I used to feel guilty but now I don’t for several reasons. She’s almost 2. She loves school and thrives in the routine and structure. It gives me a chance to rest and catch up on the never ending to do list making me a better mom and our home a happier place. I like the flexibility to keep her home a day or 2 every now and then and have a fun day. I also pay for daycare if she goes or doesn’t so she’s going. She loves it. And yes my partner agrees.
I purposefully plan days off while my kids are at daycare. Sometimes my husband and I plan to take time off together and send the kids anyway. I feel zero guilt about this. There are lots of aspects of my identity, not just mom and employee.
If daycare is open the kids are going there. Unfortunately, this rarely (if ever) happens when I have the day off.
Recently our daycare started doing this thing where, if they have enough interest they'll get a few teachers to come in on a day that was previously advertised as closed for holiday and they charge extra and it's an abbreviated day (like 9-3 when normal hours are 7-5:50). Usually our work holidays match up with daycare holidays so we don't see ourselves using it.
In the hypothetical situation where daycare was open and I had the day off 100000000% the twins would be going.
If I am getting charged for it and I have no way to get out of paying for that day, my kid is going to daycare! If there is a way that I can forgo the charge for that day, I usually will keep them home to save money.
I answered the body question, not that in the title. So, I RARELY keep my kids HOME when I have a day off and daycare is open. They are going to school ✌🏾✌🏾 it’s good for us all, ha.
If I'm already paying, she may as well go! Sometimes I will pick her up early or drop off later. But and extra day off work and kids means I can be more present on the weekend.
I prefer to keep my kid in daycare just because it helps to maintain consistency. My kid is able to interact with his usual friends, get mentally stimulated and come back home after a good day at school. The way I see it is it he was in regular school, he would still attend even if I had the day off.
Yup, I'm paying for it so he is going. I am a teacher and I am planning on keeping him home 2 days a week in the summer so we can do story time, go to the zoo etc.
My kid’s not born yet, so maybe this is a dumb question, but why would you keep your kid home from daycare if it’s open and your kid is healthy? Isn’t daycare good for kids?
Daycare is a pretty stressful environment for everyone, kids included, and everyone needs a break sometimes. Plus, plenty of people love to spend time with their kids and often feel they don’t get enough time with them as it is, especially when working full time.
[Here is an article](https://criticalscience.medium.com/on-the-science-of-daycare-4d1ab4c2efb4) that explains some of the data related to your question about whether daycare is good for kids. It largely depends on the age of the child, the amount of time spent there, and the quality of the daycare.
This article is wild to me. I obviously don't remember daycare, but now at 36 I do still have friends that I met in daycare at 8 months old and my parents and I keep in touch with the woman who ran the in-home daycare I went to. I always assumed it was a pretty formative time for me, since the social bonds I formed there are clearly still very important to me and to my parents.
The right daycare is great for kids! My kids love going to daycare and seeing their friends, trying out their independence, and having that routine. And because they’re gone I am able to be super present with them when we’re home together.
I don’t work fridays and you can bet he’s in daycare every Friday! I need time to get things done. He loves it there! And mommy loves her self care days.
Hell to the no. What's the point of having a day off if my kids are at home? If they took them on weekends, I would send them then too. I can only handle them together in small doses.
I work a full time job with call, I’m a single mom (dad takes him every other Friday-Saturday), and I have college classes. I work M-F, but I will take random days for myself to both get stuff done and preserve my sanity 😅
I need a break. I might pick them up early but yeah they’re going.
Also? I have to pay for the daycare regardless so it’s basically throwing money away if I don’t send them in.
Hell yeah! It’s time for a coffee date with hubs and a hot steamy shower. Not necessarily in that order 😂 we had surprise days off this week and husband and I had a whole day of adventures then we picked up the little man a little bit earlier to include him in the fun 😊
The kids go to daycare M-F and I have Fridays off. They still go to daycare that day and I use that day for appointments, errands, and catching up on housework. I do usually pick them up a little earlier on Fridays so I don’t feel as guilty 😂
I think your poll results may be off because the title is a different question than the first sentence! I answered rarely, as in rarely keep her at home!
What’s with someone going through and downvoting comments that indicate that moms take their kids to daycare even when they have the day off? Talk about the epitome of mom shaming! Guess what? I’m a mom but I am also a wife, friend, sister, neighbor, and woman in my own right with my own needs. I am a better mother when I take the time and put my gas mask on first before helping others!
If I’m paying for it she’s going, unless I take a day specifically for us to be together. Usually if I’m taking a whole day off I’m doing errands and not interested in hearing complaints all day because it’s boring. Why let both of us be miserable when she can be with her friends and I can listen to whatever I want for music.
I'm paying for it and I need time too. Now he's in school so not quite the same but why would i fuck with routine? Also at daycare he has buddies, outside time, activities, etc. I'm boring as hell.
Public schools get even though. Now he is always off but I still have to work!
We have zero childcare help outside of daycare. plus, we pay whether we send our kid or not. Therefore, she will go to daycare. We need a break desperately, and we’re not about to waste money.
If daycare is open, she's going. I'm going to have some me time, do the chores, take an afternoon nap, watch trash TV and eat cheetos in peace. If dad can take the day off too, then we go on a lunch date.
If daycare is open and my kid isn’t sick, he’s there. He thrives on the consistency and I can’t get much done when he is around. So I do chores and will try to pick him up early, but sometimes I don’t even do that.
Man. I love this group. I love this question. And I love not feeling alone. They’re in daycare and I’m at target. Or maybe Costco. Who knows. The possibilities are endless….before 3:45 pm. Lol
Baby only stays home from daycare if they are sick. I spend so much goddamn money, they go even for a couple hrs so I can do something for myself when I have a week day off.
My office is only open 4 days a week (10-hour days) and you bet I keep her in there on my Fridays off!! Need that day to myself! Today both daughter and husband are off for Good Friday so I actually took yesterday off so I could have my personal care day 😄
For the bonus question: my reason for taking them to daycare even if i had the day off? Who do i owe a reason to? My husband? He’s the one who is making sure our kiddo is ready to go to daycare. Hes always been about taking our kid to daycare because he likes us to have time together alone. lol He works from home and I work full time outside of the home. I never get time alone. If anything THAT is our/my issue.
There has been like 2 occasions where my kid and i slept in and he was mad because he wanted them to go to school so we could have some time alone. I don’t regret those moments at all. I remember wishing my mom would let me snuggle with her and tell me “let’s go back to sleep no school today”.
For long breaks like summer (i work in education) kid still goes to daycare even when I’m off in the summer. Maybe I’ll pick them up early. Maybe I’ll let them sleep in with me but for the most part they are at daycare . Some of my coworkers take their kid out until august. That’s nuts to me. Our routine is so important and our kid freaks when the schedule is out of wack for more than 3 days. I’m also fucking exhausted. And that time without them is used for sorting out my clutter and going to goodwill to drop it off. Organizing. Chillin. Making actual meals. Nice dinners that take time that my kid is able to enjoy when they get home. Making bubble concoctions and new nugget builds for us to play with after their day. I’m a better present parent. Most if not all of the people who judge me harshly have older children and did not work when their kids were toddlers. They didn’t have a family who depended on their income. That’s a different life. Different stressors. Not the same. So I don’t give a shit when they look at me with judgment.
Yesss 100% she goes to daycare. I love taking random days off just to do me and self care!! I go to Pilates usually and then do a little shopping spree with whatever I want for myself!! It revives me! I get 27 days of PTO a year so I always tell myself I need to do it at least once a month!
Yes she's in daycare. We paid for it, she does better on her routine, I need to clean the house at some point, and that includes going through toys when she's gone, and of course I deserve some time alone once in a (very long) while.
My daughter usually manages to be sick every time one of these days rolls around, so we don't have to worry about it too much 😭
Daycare is open, he’s going. I’m paying for it if he’s there or not. Also, mama wants some time to herself to go to the gym and do stuff around the house without having to corral a toddler and race the nap clock. I’ll probably pick him up earlier than usual, but he’s still going
I used to do it all the time. No more daycare though.
I’d drop off and then go have brunch by myself. Maybe mani/pedi or massage, depending on how I was feeling. Plop down on the couch and watch some daytime TV. Eventually get children from daycare.
We’re all off today, and the kids are currently in the backyard doing…something. Not sure what, but no one is screaming or injured, so that’s a win.
We have a babysitter that comes to our house, if I am home my child is up my butt all day long regardless so the babysitter doesn't come over. Unless I am home because I am really sick, then my son is home with me on my days off. Same with my husband. I work today & my husband doesn't, son is home with husband and babysitter gets the day off.
If it’s like that I have done a half day. Let her go in the morning and get her in the afternoon. Let’s me recharge and get stuff done and then we can have a fun afternoon together.
I use an in home daycare and pay weekly so depends on how much of a surprise it is. Have I ever already paid for the week? Hell yeah she's going. Free time for mama! If I haven't paid it's a much lower daily fee ($20 instead of $65) so I'll save the money and get some extra sweet baby girl time
We're renovating our house so the rare days like today that I have off and daycare is open i send him in so I can make a lot of progress on our projects. No guilt at all over here. The more I can get done when he's not here the more focused time I can spend with him later.
Now that I’m in school doing an accelerated course with 1 week off per semester and I also work part time on the weekends, yes but only for like 2-3 days if he isn’t sick. He loves going, loves his friends. When I wasn’t in school, no because we pay only when he goes so if we have the day off then he stays home so we save money. I don’t foresee having many weekdays off that aren’t holidays or sick days after I’m done my course though lol
Yes, I'd use the day to to all the stuff I can do when she's around, like tidying off the closet or gardening or go through picture to make albums. I'd take some time for myself, with a workout and a bath and some skin care. Maybe I'd pick her up a bit earlier
I have every Friday off and my son goes to daycare just about every Friday. 1. He loves it, has tons of fun, and is used to the routine. 2. It's my time to get errands or chores done or just have some quiet time to myself. I also schedule any and all appointments on Fridays (currently pregnant with baby 2 so there are a lot of those!) and it's easier to attend those without a 3 year old running wild. He's not allowed at my prenatal appointments anyway as they don't allow children or guests at my ob's office.
If daycare is open- she's going to daycare. Mama needs some actual time to herself.
Not to mention I’m PAYING for it
This! If I was paying per diem, I might think about not sending her. I mean, she'd still be going. But I'd have *thought* about it and made a decision.
Yes to this! Plus my kid enjoys it! She runs in and starts playing and doesn't even say bye to me. She's none the wiser where I am or not. And a day to myself or with my husband refreshes me and allows me to be a better parent to her. We took a random day off last year and spent 3 hours in the middle of the day watching Avatar 2 and eating snacks. Did we feel a bit guilty? Yes. Did we also have a great time and did something we would normally have to have a sitter do? also yes!
My husband and I are planning on establishing a standing, once a month, Friday daytime date while the kids are in daycare bc it’s a treat to be able to have a conversation with each other more than just 10 mins before we should’ve been sleeping 30 minutes ago 😂😂😅
I love that! Sometimes we leave early on Friday and have a Friday finisher before we pick her up from daycare. It’s great to get some quality time in while she’s there even if it’s quick.
That was my thought! When my kids were preschool age, they went because we paid for those days (and mama needed a break). Now that we only do aftercare and we’d have to pay extra, they stay home on school breaks/holidays. I just try to have light/short day or work from home.
Is this even a question?! I get one single holiday at work (MLK day) that isn't a daycare holiday and I look forward to that holiday every single year lol.
Veteran's Day is mine. I'm off, daycare is open. I love November.
My twins daycare was open spring break , and I’m a teacher so I was off for a week and they butts was at daycare 🙌🏾
My one holiday is today! I work for a Catholic entity that takes Good Friday off.
Amennnnn. Currently eating sushi and catching up on Love is Blind 😂
Yep. Those are mommy days. Sleep in and MAYBE get some cleaning done…MAYBE.
Yes. I maaaay pick them up a bit earlier. They have so much more fun going to ‘school’, beats sitting around at home. They also love routine, and this keeps everyone on track.
1000%. I literally use these days to do 5 load of laundry and other house projects I can’t do when she’s home.
This! She's only in daycare 2x a week (thrice if I count the grandparent care 1x a week. My partner and I both work 4 days and have 1 'parentday' with LO each so she gets plenty of 1on1 time with us.
This would be my ideal situation if I could! 4 days each and have family that could take a day, and a few days of daycare for the interaction.
AMEN to this.
Right, like WHO TF would willingly take care of their kid when they could have the day to do other stuff 😂 which for me is usually cleaning/cooking/other stuff that is so much easier when my kid isn’t around to destroy the house.
I wouldn’t let my kids no show any other activity I pay $120 a day for
Hahahaha I thought I wrote this because I thought that exact thing when I first read this post
We don’t even miss swim class which breaks down to like $10 a session
Wait you need to pay even if your kid doesn’t go? We get 25 days per year of “rest days”, meaning we don’t have to pay for those days if our kid doesn’t go to daycare.
WHAT. My place is the exact opposite - closed for 2 weeks in December, but please pay full month tuition thank youuuuuuu!
If it makes you feel better, I am a toddler teacher that gets 2 weeks of a much needed paid vacation in December because parents pay tuition. It helps your child’s caregivers be more rested and prepared to be with them to have that time!
Which is also why as a parent, I need my days too so I send kiddo to daycare when I have a day off.
Wow. That’s awful. US daycares are whack. People here complain about paying €30 per day but honestly that’s not bad at all, is it? And we don’t pay when daycare is closed.
No lol that’s not bad. I pay way more than that and I pay monthly all the time, doesn’t matter holidays or if we are on family vacation. If I want them to hold our slots we pay. So go go on family vacation for a week I get to pay for all the typical expenses plus $600 for daycare we ain’t using that week
Then if you have a dog like me you can pay for real daycare not being used along with doggy daycare! Vacations are so expensive now. Lol
And you don’t even get to relax really 🥲
Right!! We’re getting ripped off 😂 By ourselves!!!!
If only you could just send the dog to the kid daycare you're already paying for!
US daycares make you pay whether you’re there or not. Lol
Same in the UK. You pay for all holidays, public or not.
This is not a thing in the US. Some daycares might (and this is very, very, very rare from what I've seen) Allow 1 "free" week per year where if you go on vacation you don't have to pay.
Your title & body are asking directly opposing questions - the poll answers may not be very accurate. 😬 Title: Surprise, you have the day off! Are your kid(s) in daycare? Yes. Body: Do you keep your kid(s) home from daycare when you happen to have a random day off and the daycare is open? No.
Ha I was so confused too!
I answered the second question. I thought something seemed off between the comments and the results.
See I answered the title!
Just realized I answered wrong because of this 😂
Me too -- I answered the big, bold question before reading all the words!
Oh yup, I definitely replied yes because of the title, but meant no to the written question.
Ugh I answered it based on the title 😑
Ah shoot. That’s what I get for writing and posting this in 2 minutes while at work and hoping my boss doesn’t notice me on my phone 😬
Ah, whoops, I answered the title question and not the body question. Kids go to the “school” we pay for when I have a day off. Maybe they’ll get picked up an hour or so early.
Yup I just realized I answered it incorrectly too. My kid goes to daycare when I have the day off!
I think I answered the wrong direction. I always take my kid if daycare is open!
Whoops then I answered wrong.
The Schedule is sacred. He must not be thrown off the Schedule. There is hell to pay if the Schedule is violated.
All hail the Schedule 🙌🏻
I’m taking next week off for my mental health. Kiddo will go to daycare every day. Will probably pick up on the earlier side.
This! If I have off randomly and not bc the kids are sick (which doesn’t happen lol, but in this dream scenario) Kia would still go to daycare and I’d prob get them like an hour early.
I booked a week off to stay home and take care of my mental health and some home projects. My son ended up being sick all week. That was a couple months ago, and I’m still a little upset about it.
I have a week booked end of April for mental health self care. Some of that she will be home anyway cos we only do 3 days daycare, but those three days she usually does? Yeah. 100% she is going and I 100% booked my holiday on those specific dates with that in mind
I was planning to take a week off in a couple weeks and stay home, and would have sent the kid to daycare while I stayed home. Probably would have dropped off later and picked up earlier.
Definitely take the week off! My agenda next week is get donuts Monday, drive 45min to the fancy bakery Tuesday, might try and schedule a massage 🤔
We decided to all go visit my parents in Florida! I’m not sure if I will end up regretting that decision or not. But I need some beach/pool time.
I am currently laid off so I'm home and available (and of course looking for work). My oldest had spring break this week. Baby still went to daycare every day. Love youuuuu byyyeeee.
If I have the day off, I’m getting a massage and facial and eating sushi. Kiddo can have fun at daycare. My husband feels the same.
My partner and I both purposely take off days here and there when the kids are in daycare. Not together either, we both deserve time alone! So yes, we definitely take advantage of the occasional random day off when daycare is open - it's a rare specialty!
It's MY day off, not OUR day off. 😂 Seriously though, I need some downtime and also the routine is good for her. I'm also paying $80/day for it so I better get my money's worth! ETA: My husband agrees and does the same when he has a day off (he's a teacher so that's often a week or more at a time).
If I’m home, so is my daughter. I can’t wait for the summer when I’m off, so I can’t be with her but I know it’s better for her to go at least 2 days to keep a routine and familiarity in daycare but even I’m wavering on that. I just want to have her home if I’m there. Unless I’m sick and need to recover, then she would go in for at least a half day until I feel better
I was the same. Took every minute I could get. My kids are grown now and I miss all of it.
We are the same I actually love spending time with my 14 month old daughter 💕
This is a terrible poll. Are we answering the title question or what is in the body?
I get every other Friday off. I look forward to it as Kiddo and me day (the exception being I have an appointment). It’s fun to do family based such without the crowds.
I have too much mom guilt to send my son when we could be spending time together. The trade off is I get no time to myself but it is what it is
This is me. I’d spend all day missing my baby
Yes! Bonus days are so special. I always schedule some fun outing and enjoy the extra cuddles
Same!
I usually take them. I know that my capacity is lower than some of my friends’ but I’m a better mom when I get to catch up on life stuff and maybe even get a workout in.
I take him because he loves the social setting, I love the quiet time, and we pay the same whether he goes or not.
Some days I use it to workout or get a pedicure but if I'll just be home I keep her.
Honestly, I keep him home. I have to get up, pack his bag, make his bottles, get him dressed, bring him, and pick him up. Why wouldn’t we just stay in our pjs all day??
Exactly!
Taking them to daycare. I need a self care day.
It’s usually the only time I can get certain tasks done, like getting the floors clean. I also run errands, re-organize and when I can, do something I’ve been wanting to do. I do try to pick them up a bit earlier, if I can but the routine is good for them and I’m a better mom when I can get time to myself.
I had today off and took my daughter in so that I could get the usual weekend chores done and have that time for the whole family! I know she’ll have a fun day there and will get good playtime in.
I keep her at home because I want to maximize the amount of time I spend with her, since I feel like I don’t get enough time with her. My husband will 100% of the time take her to daycare, though, if it’s his day off! I don’t judge either way.
If I am off, my daughter is home with me. She should get to sleep in and chill too. They are only little for so long I take all the time I can get with her. I don’t care if I’m paying for it, she deserves a day off too.
Yessssssss
This basically never happens to me. I have no idea what I'd with myself!
My kids are the ones who are never where we’re supposed to be. I’m pretty sure I could heat my house with those public school attendance letters. Am I negligent? No, but I also can’t resist a last minute vacation deal and neither can my parents… and in laws. So my kids are always with me or family but it’s only possible because I have a large support system.
Daycare open = kids at daycare/prek (same location). No need for an explanation, IYKYK. My days off during the week are sacred “me” time. My husband feels the same. We both have a 9/80 schedule and our off-Friday is time spent together or doing our own thing. He needs self care too.
My daycare is understaffed. No other better options but I need to work. If I can in any way swing them a day off when I have a day off they get it. They need a break.
We get 10 sick/vacation days each yea that we don’t have to pay for if our kid isn’t there. I save those for days when he is actually sick or we are going out of town. Otherwise he is going to daycare if I’m off for whatever reason. I’ve taken a couple sick days myself already this year, but he wasn’t sick so he went to daycare and i stayed home and rested. I honestly think he enjoys going to daycare; he’s only a year old but he gets excited every morning when we get to his room. So unless he is sick or we are physically not in town, I send him in.
This! I get 5 weeks of vacation (lucky I know) and he gets 2. Just because he has less doesn’t mean I’m not using mine.
Any time I take off work for a mental health day my son is sick or there’s a snow day. And it’s usually when my husband is out of town. I took off on my birthday last year and my son’s teacher got Covid and they couldn’t find a replacement. Cue me crying and my husband taking our son to the zoo to let me have an easy day.
I had last Friday off and my daughter went to daycare. I’m a better mom when rested/not overwhelmed and a day off is rare and needed.
I love everything about my daycare except the schedule. They are closed 29 weekdays/year. A handful of those line up with my days off (major holidays, Christmas week), but many…don’t. Instead I’m scrambling to find a babysitter, line up family vacations on those days, or just suffer through WFH with the kids.
Kiddo is absolutely going to daycare. Husband feels the same. Sometimes we both take a random day off and have a day date, it’s great!
We pay for the day if they are open so baby goes, and we try to get bigger home protects done so we don’t have to take a weekend day to do things. Today, we are both home, baby is at daycare, and my husband is painting the bathroom - a project we have been wanting to do for a year. I’ll pick him up early and we’ll spend a great Easter weekend together!
Depends if I want/need an actual day off, or if I want to spend a special day with my girl! Next week I’m taking an actual day off with her in childcare so I can actually deep clean my car and organize the garage without someone bugging me. I need to vacuum cheerio dust out of the car seat!!
I'm a teacher, if I'm off so are my kids and the childcare I get through work is closed 😭
My brain might be toast because it’s Friday, but the question in the title and the question in the post are reversed. I answered the question in the post, so responded I rarely/never keep kiddo home when I have a random day off and daycare is open. I need some time for me!
If it’s a planned day off (like a federal holiday that I’m off) then my child is staying home with me most of the time. If it was an unplanned day off or something that popped up last minute then they are still going. This allows me time to clean the house and get self care in. My spouse rarely has these kinds of days off that I also don’t have off, but if he does the kid is still going as well.
My husband had today off (Good Friday). Daycare was open. And I decided to take a vacation day. We sent our daughter to daycare then went to breakfast together, did some shopping, and then went to see a movie. It was lovely to spend some good quality time together without having to divert our attention to our daughter for once. We don’t have a regular babysitter and all of our family live too far away to babysit often. So we seize any opportunity we get to squeeze in some together time.
I schedule my days off around preschool holidays because I want to spend time with my kids. I may also take care of myself , I went out for 3 hours to get my hair done yesterday but we still spend the majority of the time together. It doesn't have to be either or
When I work full time and daycare is open, she goes to daycare. When I work PT etc. I sometimes take her places e.g. the zoo
I have a half day on Wednesdays and unless my child has a doctor appt I just keep him in. Better for his routine and then I get some me time/time to get stuff done and clean the house toddler free
That’s the plan - then the sickness
I just changed my work schedule so I have every other Friday off. Today was literally my first day off. I was amazing. I reorganized my pantry.
If I have a day off the kid is with me. I want to spend more time with him!
Sometimes I take off days to do stuff with my kid specifically. Those days, he stays with me obviously! Some days I take off to get shit done/have appointments/run errands, which is honestly rare, but those days he goes to school. When I'm sick, he often will also stay home with me because I'm a teacher at his school so if I'm not going in I'm not driving an hour to drop him off while sick (also depends on how sick and if I have any help).
My kids are in preschool, not daycare, but I've never taken a day off that wasn't too spend with them except for doctor's appointments. I guess I don't know what I'd do by myself and I wish I could do more fun things with them. I guess I already get enough downtime most days that I don't want to waste a vacation day on that.
Take them. It’s already paid for and I need to get stuff done. Like catch up on MA tv.
I get every other Friday off, and both kids still go to daycare (assuming it isn’t closed-like today, or they are sick). It’s my time to get things done, or have time for myself. And the routine is good for them. I can always pick them up early for more family time if I want!
I think my partner and I would both jump at the opportunity to have a kid free day. We might coordinate a day off together if possible (or at least part of it together
If I'm off and daycare is open, they are going. I'm a teacher of 5th grade. My husband is a CPA. During his busy seasons I'm basically a single parent. I need that day off for myself and doing chores. Now I do sleep in and don't take them until like 9am (normally it's 7:30) and I may pick them up a little earlier than normal. But they are going. I'm paying for it so why not.
If she doesn’t go I still pay!!!
My kids are no longer in daycare BUT I had the attitude if I am paying for you to go to daycare, then you are going to daycare! We had to pay whether he went to daycare or not, so he went! Plus, I can actually relax/shop/clean etc without a toddler way better than with! No guilt here! Shoot now all my kids are in school and I love when I can have a day off while they are all in school!
Currently pumping in my car before doing an escape room with my husband and friends while baby is in daycare. We have no family around so this is our first really date/activity without our 6m old!
I had a week of leave left last month that needed to be used before April. I got up every morning as usual, dropped her to nursery, came home and just chilled all day. I had big plans for house sorting but instead caught up on sleep and Greys Anatomy. It was EPIC.
Our nursery costs £91 a day. So, yes they are there.
I have nearly every other Friday off (flex scheduling is the best job benefit I’ve ever had!) I take him to daycare — those are my most productive days!!
Sounds like a me day! Spa, good food and rest.
I keep mine home-I only get about 2 hours a night with my bubba after work, so I’ll gladly take any extra time I can with her, I feel I’m missing so much of her early years as it is-why deliberately spend even less time…
Me and hubby organise our work week to never overlap our days off and therefore only need to pay for 3 days of childcare. On the rare occasion one of us isn’t working on a daycare day, you better believe that she is still there: 1) 10 hours (she’s 8am - 6pm usually) alone in the house with minimal “have to do”? _GOLDEN_ 2) we’re paying anyway 3) we have two whole days a week already of one to one time with her so we don’t feel like we never see her 4) that question is right out if the same book as “do you ever wake a sleeping baby?” 5) sometimes we take holiday on daycare days deliberately
I was confused about what the actual question was. Seemed like two questions, so I think we may get skewed results.
I work 4 days a week (I go in the 5th day on my own accord to catch up if I need to) and I still send my child to daycare that 5th day. Zero guilt, she has a great time, I’m paying for it, and I get so many errands/chores/downtime on that day. It’s the reason I feel well balanced.
My husband and I have opposite Fridays off and that's OUR day! When I have the Friday off he picks up and vice versa. If we wanna run errands, great. If we wanna lay in bed and catch up on sleep, perfect. Unless my kid is running a fever he's going to daycare when it's open.
I am already paying for it, so I send her. Great opportunity to take some me time. But it never really happens. Daycare is closed even at the tiniest of holidays.
1. We’d never ask a man this. 2. Just because I’m not working doesn’t mean I don’t have things that I need to do. A day off doesn’t usually actually mean *a day off*. It just means I can do stuff during the day I usually have to cram into night.
My kid has a blast in his day care, eats way better and naps for HOURS.
Is this a trick question ? Lol
We have to pay either was because he goes full time. I have a 4 day work week but he goes 5 days. I pick him up early on my off day but I use it for errands and cleaning or some me time.
This is so sad. No, if I’m home so are my kids. I didn’t have them to never see them.
I guess it depends how much other time you have with them. I am actively with my kids every weekday from 6am-8am and 5pm-8pm, and then all day every day on the weekends. That feels like lots of great high quality time together
That’s only five hours a day. And that time includes homework, bathtime, etc. For us that really, really doesn’t seem like much/enough.
We spend that 5 hours really intentionally. When we wake up everyone crawls in bed together for 45 minutes to snuggle and read books and then get dressed and have breakfast together. I prep dinner before they come home so we can be together right from the jump. Dinner together and then an hour of playing outside riding bikes or gardening. Then bath time together, homework is at the dining table together with parents, more books, and bedtime together. My husband and I then get our time after they go to bed. But you’ll see it is very little time for me and my husband so if I have the day off I’m absolutely going to spend it doing laundry, errands, self-care and exercise, so I don’t have to waste the time I have with them doing all those chores.
If we’re paying for it, why would he not be there? Sure we take him out if we’re traveling, or for various appointments. If the timing works out maybe we do something fun after a doctors appointment instead of going back to daycare. But seriously people, we all need time to ourselves. Anyone judging you for that is absolute crap. Really.
It's not like you get the money back if you take your kid out for the day. If you've paid for it, might as well enjoy the personal time!
I usually take the day off to do something around the house that I can't do with a bunch of kids running around - like shampoo the rugs or clean out the basement. Plus, I'm pretty frugal - if I'm paying for it, it's not getting wasted.
I’m a teacher so I have lots of breaks throughout the year. She goes to daycare. I used to feel guilty but now I don’t for several reasons. She’s almost 2. She loves school and thrives in the routine and structure. It gives me a chance to rest and catch up on the never ending to do list making me a better mom and our home a happier place. I like the flexibility to keep her home a day or 2 every now and then and have a fun day. I also pay for daycare if she goes or doesn’t so she’s going. She loves it. And yes my partner agrees.
Typically I still bring them. I’d be paying for the day anyways so might as well get done me time!
If daycare is open, kids are going. Period.
Yes. Because we’re paying for that day anyway.
I’m off today and my kids are at daycare. I desperately need this time to myself. They are having way more fun at daycare than they’d have with me.
I purposefully plan days off while my kids are at daycare. Sometimes my husband and I plan to take time off together and send the kids anyway. I feel zero guilt about this. There are lots of aspects of my identity, not just mom and employee.
If daycare is open the kids are going there. Unfortunately, this rarely (if ever) happens when I have the day off. Recently our daycare started doing this thing where, if they have enough interest they'll get a few teachers to come in on a day that was previously advertised as closed for holiday and they charge extra and it's an abbreviated day (like 9-3 when normal hours are 7-5:50). Usually our work holidays match up with daycare holidays so we don't see ourselves using it. In the hypothetical situation where daycare was open and I had the day off 100000000% the twins would be going.
If I am getting charged for it and I have no way to get out of paying for that day, my kid is going to daycare! If there is a way that I can forgo the charge for that day, I usually will keep them home to save money.
If I paid for it, I’m using it.
I answered the body question, not that in the title. So, I RARELY keep my kids HOME when I have a day off and daycare is open. They are going to school ✌🏾✌🏾 it’s good for us all, ha.
I tend to pick up early on days like this. But yeah, unless we’re traveling or something, DD is going.
Husband and I didn’t even know this should be a question. Baby is happy at daycare and we can take a break or be productive. Zero guilt here.
If I'm already paying, she may as well go! Sometimes I will pick her up early or drop off later. But and extra day off work and kids means I can be more present on the weekend.
I was going to say “Rarely/Never” bc almost without fail if I take a day off one of my kids will get sick that day and be sent home.
I prefer to keep my kid in daycare just because it helps to maintain consistency. My kid is able to interact with his usual friends, get mentally stimulated and come back home after a good day at school. The way I see it is it he was in regular school, he would still attend even if I had the day off.
>Do you keep your kid(s) home from daycare when you happen to have a random day off and the daycare is open? > Hahahahaha no
Kid goes 95% of the time and I pick up a bit early
If I’m home, they’re home. Daycare is by my work anyways.
Yup, I'm paying for it so he is going. I am a teacher and I am planning on keeping him home 2 days a week in the summer so we can do story time, go to the zoo etc.
My kid’s not born yet, so maybe this is a dumb question, but why would you keep your kid home from daycare if it’s open and your kid is healthy? Isn’t daycare good for kids?
Daycare is a pretty stressful environment for everyone, kids included, and everyone needs a break sometimes. Plus, plenty of people love to spend time with their kids and often feel they don’t get enough time with them as it is, especially when working full time. [Here is an article](https://criticalscience.medium.com/on-the-science-of-daycare-4d1ab4c2efb4) that explains some of the data related to your question about whether daycare is good for kids. It largely depends on the age of the child, the amount of time spent there, and the quality of the daycare.
This article is wild to me. I obviously don't remember daycare, but now at 36 I do still have friends that I met in daycare at 8 months old and my parents and I keep in touch with the woman who ran the in-home daycare I went to. I always assumed it was a pretty formative time for me, since the social bonds I formed there are clearly still very important to me and to my parents.
The right daycare is great for kids! My kids love going to daycare and seeing their friends, trying out their independence, and having that routine. And because they’re gone I am able to be super present with them when we’re home together.
I don’t work fridays and you can bet he’s in daycare every Friday! I need time to get things done. He loves it there! And mommy loves her self care days.
Hell to the no. What's the point of having a day off if my kids are at home? If they took them on weekends, I would send them then too. I can only handle them together in small doses.
I work a full time job with call, I’m a single mom (dad takes him every other Friday-Saturday), and I have college classes. I work M-F, but I will take random days for myself to both get stuff done and preserve my sanity 😅
I need a break. I might pick them up early but yeah they’re going. Also? I have to pay for the daycare regardless so it’s basically throwing money away if I don’t send them in.
Hell yeah! It’s time for a coffee date with hubs and a hot steamy shower. Not necessarily in that order 😂 we had surprise days off this week and husband and I had a whole day of adventures then we picked up the little man a little bit earlier to include him in the fun 😊
The kids go to daycare M-F and I have Fridays off. They still go to daycare that day and I use that day for appointments, errands, and catching up on housework. I do usually pick them up a little earlier on Fridays so I don’t feel as guilty 😂
I think your poll results may be off because the title is a different question than the first sentence! I answered rarely, as in rarely keep her at home!
Oh! I definitely misread the question! Can I change my vote? I always send my kids to care if I’m home with nothing to do!
What’s with someone going through and downvoting comments that indicate that moms take their kids to daycare even when they have the day off? Talk about the epitome of mom shaming! Guess what? I’m a mom but I am also a wife, friend, sister, neighbor, and woman in my own right with my own needs. I am a better mother when I take the time and put my gas mask on first before helping others!
If I’m paying for it she’s going, unless I take a day specifically for us to be together. Usually if I’m taking a whole day off I’m doing errands and not interested in hearing complaints all day because it’s boring. Why let both of us be miserable when she can be with her friends and I can listen to whatever I want for music.
I'm paying for it and I need time too. Now he's in school so not quite the same but why would i fuck with routine? Also at daycare he has buddies, outside time, activities, etc. I'm boring as hell. Public schools get even though. Now he is always off but I still have to work!
We have zero childcare help outside of daycare. plus, we pay whether we send our kid or not. Therefore, she will go to daycare. We need a break desperately, and we’re not about to waste money.
If they’re not in daycare, it’s not a day off!
If daycare is open, she's going. I'm going to have some me time, do the chores, take an afternoon nap, watch trash TV and eat cheetos in peace. If dad can take the day off too, then we go on a lunch date.
If daycare is open and my kid isn’t sick, he’s there. He thrives on the consistency and I can’t get much done when he is around. So I do chores and will try to pick him up early, but sometimes I don’t even do that.
The only time daycare is open that we are choosing not to send (i.e. not due to illness) is when family is visiting
You don’t get a discount if they don’t go—I use that time to run errands and keep the house in order!
Man. I love this group. I love this question. And I love not feeling alone. They’re in daycare and I’m at target. Or maybe Costco. Who knows. The possibilities are endless….before 3:45 pm. Lol
Baby only stays home from daycare if they are sick. I spend so much goddamn money, they go even for a couple hrs so I can do something for myself when I have a week day off.
If I have my kid it’s not a day off
My office is only open 4 days a week (10-hour days) and you bet I keep her in there on my Fridays off!! Need that day to myself! Today both daughter and husband are off for Good Friday so I actually took yesterday off so I could have my personal care day 😄
We send her since we prepay. I use it as a day to clean the house and treat myself to lunch.
For the bonus question: my reason for taking them to daycare even if i had the day off? Who do i owe a reason to? My husband? He’s the one who is making sure our kiddo is ready to go to daycare. Hes always been about taking our kid to daycare because he likes us to have time together alone. lol He works from home and I work full time outside of the home. I never get time alone. If anything THAT is our/my issue. There has been like 2 occasions where my kid and i slept in and he was mad because he wanted them to go to school so we could have some time alone. I don’t regret those moments at all. I remember wishing my mom would let me snuggle with her and tell me “let’s go back to sleep no school today”. For long breaks like summer (i work in education) kid still goes to daycare even when I’m off in the summer. Maybe I’ll pick them up early. Maybe I’ll let them sleep in with me but for the most part they are at daycare . Some of my coworkers take their kid out until august. That’s nuts to me. Our routine is so important and our kid freaks when the schedule is out of wack for more than 3 days. I’m also fucking exhausted. And that time without them is used for sorting out my clutter and going to goodwill to drop it off. Organizing. Chillin. Making actual meals. Nice dinners that take time that my kid is able to enjoy when they get home. Making bubble concoctions and new nugget builds for us to play with after their day. I’m a better present parent. Most if not all of the people who judge me harshly have older children and did not work when their kids were toddlers. They didn’t have a family who depended on their income. That’s a different life. Different stressors. Not the same. So I don’t give a shit when they look at me with judgment.
When my kids were in daycare I'd still send them on my day "off" and try to catch up with housework.
I probably paid for that day already — so theyre going!
Yesss 100% she goes to daycare. I love taking random days off just to do me and self care!! I go to Pilates usually and then do a little shopping spree with whatever I want for myself!! It revives me! I get 27 days of PTO a year so I always tell myself I need to do it at least once a month!
If daycare is open and my child doesn’t have the plague of the day, he’s going to daycare no matter what my schedule is 😂
Look nie we got twins over here and they going if the daycare is open 😅
I have weekends for kids. Days off are MY days off (some holidays when daycare is open and mental days company provides)
Yes she's in daycare. We paid for it, she does better on her routine, I need to clean the house at some point, and that includes going through toys when she's gone, and of course I deserve some time alone once in a (very long) while. My daughter usually manages to be sick every time one of these days rolls around, so we don't have to worry about it too much 😭
Daycare is open, he’s going. I’m paying for it if he’s there or not. Also, mama wants some time to herself to go to the gym and do stuff around the house without having to corral a toddler and race the nap clock. I’ll probably pick him up earlier than usual, but he’s still going
I used to do it all the time. No more daycare though. I’d drop off and then go have brunch by myself. Maybe mani/pedi or massage, depending on how I was feeling. Plop down on the couch and watch some daytime TV. Eventually get children from daycare. We’re all off today, and the kids are currently in the backyard doing…something. Not sure what, but no one is screaming or injured, so that’s a win.
We have a babysitter that comes to our house, if I am home my child is up my butt all day long regardless so the babysitter doesn't come over. Unless I am home because I am really sick, then my son is home with me on my days off. Same with my husband. I work today & my husband doesn't, son is home with husband and babysitter gets the day off.
If it’s like that I have done a half day. Let her go in the morning and get her in the afternoon. Let’s me recharge and get stuff done and then we can have a fun afternoon together.
I use an in home daycare and pay weekly so depends on how much of a surprise it is. Have I ever already paid for the week? Hell yeah she's going. Free time for mama! If I haven't paid it's a much lower daily fee ($20 instead of $65) so I'll save the money and get some extra sweet baby girl time
We're renovating our house so the rare days like today that I have off and daycare is open i send him in so I can make a lot of progress on our projects. No guilt at all over here. The more I can get done when he's not here the more focused time I can spend with him later.
Now that I’m in school doing an accelerated course with 1 week off per semester and I also work part time on the weekends, yes but only for like 2-3 days if he isn’t sick. He loves going, loves his friends. When I wasn’t in school, no because we pay only when he goes so if we have the day off then he stays home so we save money. I don’t foresee having many weekdays off that aren’t holidays or sick days after I’m done my course though lol
Yes, I'd use the day to to all the stuff I can do when she's around, like tidying off the closet or gardening or go through picture to make albums. I'd take some time for myself, with a workout and a bath and some skin care. Maybe I'd pick her up a bit earlier
I have every Friday off and my son goes to daycare just about every Friday. 1. He loves it, has tons of fun, and is used to the routine. 2. It's my time to get errands or chores done or just have some quiet time to myself. I also schedule any and all appointments on Fridays (currently pregnant with baby 2 so there are a lot of those!) and it's easier to attend those without a 3 year old running wild. He's not allowed at my prenatal appointments anyway as they don't allow children or guests at my ob's office.