12 months ago I was sobbing my heart out as Charley was about to start nursery and the very thought of being apart from her broke my heart , now 12 months later I am taking her out of nursery and once again my heart is breaking as I am not sure how I’m going to cope with a toddler running around all day . My decision to quit my day job was brave but my decision to take Charley out of nursery is the bravest thing I will ever do.
I may have been a mummy for 5 years but this is unknown territory.I have always worked & my children have always gone to nursery. How do you entertain a toddler 10 hours a day while trying to set up a new business from home? The root of this decision is money. While I am finding my feet in a new career and will be at home anyway it only seemed sensible to cut our outgoing and save the £500 a month we spend on childcare to go towards the household bills. I want to clarify here that I am a huge advocate of nursery and truly believe that it benefits a child’s social & education needs by attending one. The nursery both Charley & Harry attended is exceptional and it was a huge relief when I went back to work to know they were being looked after by a team of highly trained and caring professionals ( most of them mums themselves ) but however much it breaks my heart to take her out of such a great place I need to face reality and put the money to better use. This is going to be a totally different lifestyle for me, one where power suits and high heels are not needed. It’s going to be an adjustment for everyone.I am sure there will be days I will wish I was on the train to London to wine & dine a big client but the one thing I have missed out on while climbing this corporate ladder is seeing my babies grow up. No matter how many pictures I get from the nursery of Charley’s day or watching a clip of Harry’s school play I couldn’t attend, I will never get those moments back. I know I can’t be here 24/7 but just to have the choice is going to be worth the headaches I am about to get while listening to a 2-year-old tantrum all day. I will 100% be utilising the 30 hours free childcare we will get when Charley turns 3 years old but for now, to save money she will be at home with me and we will be joining the Mummy & Toddler group circuit again ( Lord give me strength )
How do you entertain your toddler when they are at home with you? Do you run a business and look after your child at the same time? Comment below
Looking after your own child for whole days at a time is the bravest thing you’ve ever done? Are you for real?
Yes, Im 100% real.I live in real life where life isn’t all sunshine and flowers and looking after a 2 year old & 4 year old while trying to set up a new business from home is going to be hard work. Will it be worth it definitely but it’s going to take time to adjust for the whole family.
But you’re blogging it’s not like you’re being sent down a mine or something? Unless I’m missing something? I just find it quite perplexing that a mother finds her own children such hard work. I thought this change was to better your lives but maybe not.
I think 99% of Mothers find their children hard work. Are your children well behaved 24/7?
This will be an adjustment for all the family but as I mention in my post it will be so worthwhile. I have 4 different jobs I will be doing to pay the bills and yes, it’s going to be hard to do it with a 2-year-old & 4-year-old running around. I am perplexed why you feel the need to criticise me?
Good luck sweetheart! I think you may need it at times. 2 year olds are intense and they sure know how to push our buttons (but we love their gorgeous faces no matter what). Not sure I could handle Willow at home all day. Just remember all the decisions and changing of paths now is ultimately for your family and you thought through and analysed EVERYTHING before taking the plunge. So yes there will be tough times but it will all be worth it in the end. Much love x #postsfrontheheart
I am a stay at home mum and it’s the best thing I ever did. I hated going to work when my eldest was little and am so fortunate that I can stay at home now that I have 4 monkeys. You will soon adjust and you will love it! I do give the toddler groups a wide berth now, they don’t get any better! My youngest socialises with children her own age through me and my friends and cousins so no worries there. She will start a playgroup or nursery when she’s older, but not until she’s nearly 3.The days fly by and yes it can be difficult to get anything done but you’ll find what works for you. #PostsFromTheHeart
I am actually really looking forward to it. I loved MAT leave and Harry was off with me for the year before he started school and we had lots of adventures. I’m being a bit tongue in cheek about Charley. She is just a handful at the moment and we are in the early stages of the terrible two’s . I will apart , I will cope, just like anything it will take a bit of time but i knew what i was doing and this decision was well planned so I just need to suck it up and get on with it. Thanks for commenting X
I have never had to pay for childcare as a stay at home Mum, we figured it would cost us over £2000 a month for my four in childcare and I didn’t make even half of that in my previous job! It’s hard at times, but you find a routine and muddle your way through! #postsfromtheheart
Yep – I work from home as a freelance journalist while also being a mummy. To say it’s challenging is an understatement! The TV, magazines & bribery are your friend! #postsfromtheheart