Daycare advise

[meggabs]

So I'm on my maternity leave until May 4, then I'll have 6 weeks of school left when I go back. I'm still sending McKinley to daycare (preschool room) three days per week so I can get a break, and so she can run off her energy and be in the school setting with kids her age, and learning. When I return, my in-laws will be watching baby Matty 5 days per week. They are also willing to watch Mc 5 days too. 

My in-laws are amazing. They are energetic, take her out to story time, to lunch, they help clean, and she loves them. I think Mc will have a really hard time if Gammie shows up to watch Matty, but Mc has to go to daycare...

Should I continue sending her 3 days, so she's with peers and learning? Should I keep her home, since it's only 6 weeks? We'd save lots of money, but I also like the fact that she's learning in school. I know my in-laws talk about ABCs, numbers, colors, etc... 

TIA

[bigapple]

I would keep sending her for exactly the reasons you mentioned, and so she has the continuity of her normal routine. She might love having that time away from the baby. Plus, regardless of how energetic your ILs are, full time childcare for two is tough, so they'd get a bit of a break on the days she's at school.

[bean47]

Does she stay home after those 6 weeks for summer? I would probably send her to keep her routine, around peers and in a structured environment. She will still have 2 fun days per week with your ILs!

[Faevantastic]

I would keep sending her to daycare. It will be nice for her to interact with kids her age. Three days a week sounds like a good balance.

[shevacc]

I would keep sending her too. She'll still get plenty of time with ILs on the other two days, and maybe they can pick her up early sometimes? Caring for two kids is exponentially more difficult than for just one, in my limited experience. So I like the idea of giving them built in breaks.

[imimahoney]

Send her! We are planning on sending Ari to dc full time when the baby comes. I have no desire to watch him postpartum at all.

[jg183]

I'd keep with the daycare routine! They can pick her up early if they want

[teamhayes]

Another keep sending her