I’m on mat leave right now and supposed to go back to work at the end of August, but I’m having second thoughts. My son will be eight months. The plan was for him to go into daycare when I go back to work, but with COVID happening, I think I probably shouldn’t let him go. There are so many cases right now where I’m living, and I just want us to be safe. I’m torn and not sure what to do. Thoughts??? Please no rude comments.
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If you can afford to stay home, do it!
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Whatever you decide just don’t let others bully you or make you feel bad. As the mother you have to make the harder decisions and you will always be making the wrong one in someone’s eyes. Your child and their wellbeing always come first and however you decide to go it does not mean you don’t love them.
I personally would stay home if I could afford it but not everyone has that luxury.
I wish you the best and just know you’re a great mother no matter what you decide is best for you and your little family! 
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I’m in a similar situation. My 2 youngest kid’s sitter quit for good. My only choice now is to send them to school or daycare. I don’t want to but am back at work. I have my cousin temporarily sitting them. I don’t know what to do either.
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Stay home and figure it out! I know easier said than done…but better safe than sorry! Where there is a will there is always a way!
Figure out your finances to see if you can stay home, or look into having a friend or family member babysit, less people would mean less exposure.
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If you think you can afford it stay at home a little longer until you feel safer putting your baby in childcare x
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I work in an early learning center, even with restrictions, guidelines and extra cleaning it’s difficult. If you can avoid sending your child to daycare I would recommend it. But if that’s your ONLY option don’t let people make you feel bad.
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If you feel you shouldn’t and can stay home do it. There is no right or wrong way to deal with this covid crap
Honestly I look at it as safety first. I’d rather lose out on going back to work then my young child getting sick possibly. I feel for you and just make an informed decision especially if you send him to daycare, make sure the center is taking every possible precaution
I couldn’t send my kids to daycare even though I want to work and have money but my husband is working both jobs and agree I stay home with kids. I would have family members to babysit my kids because less exposed and less sickness. Due to covid19 the advice of you have a spouse with full time job, if he or she can get second job so one of you can stay home with kids so that way you or ur spouse knowing the kids will not be exposed and having one of you worry and stressed out. If can’t get second job, budget the money pay the rent, electric, water, and insurance for car and health is the most main thing to do. Try to buy food and do homemade food and have leftover food for ur next day dinner or lunch. If can find good deal for cellphone and internet that you can afford. That what we did for long time and still doing it. Just wise and keep everyone healthy.
I think you have t d what s best for your family but I also am not sending my children and doing homeschool working my work schedule and husbands schedule around them because I don’t think child shouldn’t have to wear a mask all day or worry
My four year old and now three month old are in daycare. They have been amazing and have taken so many precautions. Being home my four-year-old really struggled and her being back in early preschool / daycare has done wonders for her. Our city is at a level 3 and we are required to wear masks in public places. I want to write a level 4 they will shut down things again. So it’s pretty bad Where We Are but this virus isnt going anywhere. Even with a vaccine, who knows how effective it will be or what the long terms effects will be. I refuse to live in constant fear…we take all the precautions we can and that’s the best we can do. The other alternative is to never leave the house.
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I’m in the same boat … If I’m going to homeschool there is no way I can continue to work. I’m only back part time as it is and I’m constantly thinking about catching it the entire time I’m there.
Theyre only babies for so long, I reckon if you can take the time off until you’re completely comfortable putting your baby back in daycare 
there will always be opportunities to go back into work so in my opinion you definitely won’t regret not going back at this stage xx
If you’re able to stay home, I would do that
I if you’re able to stay home with your babies that’s the best way at this time. This virus is a monster and they’re now saying that it has long-term effects on people even children who show no signs of it better safe than sorry.
This is a hard one! If you have alternative methods I would use that. Not sure where you live but I’m in OH and we are inches away of shutting down again. I think do what you need to do to take care of your little one. It’s a hard decision and hugs to you!
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Praying for you. This is a tough decision, and I dont know the right answer.
I agree, if you have an alternative method I would go that route. Why take the chance.
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That’s such a hard one!! I definitely would NOT want him going to a daycare with Covid going around, and especially being so young!! Is there anyone like family or friends who could take him? Also if your job is considered non essential and yous are getting hit hard you may not go back to work afterall. I’m in collections, our office has been furloughed since end of March here in NY. Granted if not I’d try to find someone else you can trust. Good luck Momma!!
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I say go with that mommas but feeling!! If you don’t feel it’s right then don’t do it !!mom’s always know in there heart what is right for their child!!!
My son has been back in daycare since May 12th …my job started back up and I need to work to help support our family… u do what u feel is best for your family. It’s a hard choice for sure!
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I’m a daycare teacher in Arizona… it’s like 5th in the nation for Covid so we’re doing pretty terrible right now. Our daycare just got shut down cuz someone tested positive. our kids are essential workers kids (mostly medical) so we stayed open to help them. If I had a choice I’d say try to find someone you trust to watch your kid that way they’re aren’t exposed to as much. We did temp checks for kids and parents and teachers everyday and it still got exposed to everyone cuz the person was A symptomatic so it didn’t matter anyway… it’s just always a risk.
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Keep him home and safer for all of you.
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This is a very difficult time for parents. My children are adults. I have to admit I was pleased when my daughter decided to leave her job in daycare/nursery school. My major concern is safety. It doesn’t matter if your child is 8 months or 28 years old. We are parents will worry. The only insight I can offer is to do whatever you and the baby’s father are comfortable doing. It’s a huge decision. Don’t pay any attention to what others might say or think. Best of luck and good health 
With a deep breath drawn… go with the best choice that keeps your family safe… this is hard decisions for everyone!! Trust yourself that it’s the right thing!!
Try to extend your leave or find an in home nanny
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Everyone needs to do what they are comfortable with. Im a childcare provider, been open throughout (family home childcare) first for my essential employees, now open for all. 4 kiddos stayed whose parents were essential and 2 of 3 other kiddos have now returned. No issues with health here, thank goodness. Ask your provider what protocols are in place. Here, health screening and temps before admission, parents and I are masked, immediate hand washing (repeated washing all day), no parents in house and no contact with other kiddos, toys disinfected frequently throughout day, lots of time outside, no sharing art supplies, etc. I still cuddle the littles, because they need that. I social distance and do curbside pickup for groceries. No parties or large gatherings for me to help keep my babies safe. Best of luck to you, and whatever you decide, may it give you peace.
Why have kids if you can’t care for them properly?
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My son is 2 months. He’s in daycare. They have taken proper procautions at my center.
Me personally i wouldnt send him. Better to be safe
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Better to be safe then sorry I am paying one lady to watch my daughter because daycares are full of viruses and germs 
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Hire an in home caregiver…I am a nanny and I have also worked in daycare settings. I believe children at this age benefit more from one on one care rather than 1 caregiver for multiple children. They dont get as much of the individual and personalized care that they should. Plus with covid this limits who your child is coming into contact with. Also easier to monitor who your child has been exposed to. Just a personal opinion. Also with babies this age they want to explore everything with their mouths and who knows how often the daycare is actually cleaning toys and equipment. Easy way to spread germs!!!
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I’m right there with you my little guy will be 5 months when I go back to work at the school im very torn I what to do
I am also on maternity leave and returning to work at the end of August. I was able to find a private sitter for my daughter. I refuse to send her to a daycare with all this going on. She was born a little early and my other daughter has asthma. Just can’t risk it. We already have a daycare here with positive cases at 2 of their locations.
If you can financially afford it, I’d stay home with ur baby … The 1st year is so important anyway, & you have covid as a good ‘reason’ to do so lol … But, if you can’t afford to stay home, I’d consider maybe a babysitter you know well & trust, to come to ur home & watch ur baby… That way, ur only exposing him to 1 new person, rather than several… Good Luck!!
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Its a crappy situation. I have a best friend with 3 kids (single mama), who’s youngest 2 just got sent home for a 2 week quarantine because they were around someone who tested positive to COVID. Now she will be out of work for 2 more weeks with no pay. And she can’t claim unemployment because her job is “essential.” I feel for her but I won’t risk my kids getting sick. We almost lost our daughter after a deadly reaction to a vaccine so I always advised to trust your mom gut and put your kids health and safety first. Good luck mama! Sending you positive vibes and a hug:heart:
I’m not sending my 17yo back to school… If that helps.
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Daycare was never safe to begin with now this and people want school to reopen don’t do it please
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If you can afford not to then don’t go back to work. I sure wish I could afford 8 months of maternity leave !
My personal opinion is don’t send him they are asking us to sign death waivers for them to even go back that alone is a red flag but do what’s best for you and your family just be safe
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I say go with your motherly instinct. My son was supposed to go back july 6th…and something in my gut told me not to send him back yet… i kid you not I got a text that very night that one of the young daycare teachers was positive for Covid. Thanking God I didnt send him that day.
If you have a choice…dont. if you have to go to work look for an in home daycare with just a couple kids
I am a preschool teacher in a center located inside the local elementary school. But my personal opinion is if you can avoid sending your baby do it. My hours have been cut twice and I only returned to work 9 days ago. Originally I was supposed to work 4 days a week. On my 1st day back my boss said that parents who were supposed to bring their kids were changing their minds and I only needed to work Monday and Friday. Yesterday she decided that there was not enough enrollment to keep us open Fridays so now I am down to 1 day a week.
Sweetie, right now there are no good choices… no right choices… we are, as parents, between a rock and MF hard place right now… some countys are having parents sign DEATH WAIVERS!! WTH !
If you’re able to stay home or have a family member to care for him I wouldn’t go back either.
I don’t want to send my son either. Looking for a way to start work from home
Stay home! He will be safe and will learn so much from you!
If you can keep him home or just hire a sitter instead I would recommend that. I know a lot of people have to go back to work and it’s not an option but daycare and schools are already a breeding ground for every kind of bug out there and right now we have one that is spreading quickly.
Yes I would either stay home or get a in home sitter. This doesn’t look like its going away anytime soon.
My daughter is almost 10 months my husband only works part time at ups (that all they offer unless you are full time management but the benefit are killer) I made the choice to stay home with myn when she was came bc it was cheaper for me to quite my job then to put her in daycare! We make it work our Bill’s are paid and we have food on the table. We may struggle for any extra money but It is the best decision I have ever made. I get to raise my child how I see fit and she doesn’t have to be with strangers most the day witch makes our bond stronger! I say if it is financially feasible for you to stay home then stay home however if you must send the baby to daycare make sure you pick it carefully as one reason i will not put my child in daycare is i have seen horror stories about children being beaten and drugged and all around mistreated witch I experience when I was little when the owner of the daycare chased me around trying to hit me so I ran to my mom who worked there in the infant room and me and my sister were pulled out and my mom quite and reported her the same day!
Maybe find someone willing to sit for you so there would be only 1 person.
If you can stay home do it. You will love the extra time!
Consider all your options, do you have family that could watch him. Go with your gut. I chose not to work when mine were babies. We were able to move to a less expensive area and it worked for me.
Im not sure where you are located but where I am, we have many guidelines we need to follow. Im a director and we have stayed open the entire time and have not had any exposure or a single family/staff that has needed to be tested. You need to find out what types of guidelines are being implemented as well as find out what restrictions have been put into place. If you aren’t comfortable with it then it is absolutely your choice. I see a lot of people commenting to go to an in home. Yes you could but then you risk that person not cleaning and sanitizing as they should or random people in and out as it is someone’s home. Follow your gut and do what you feel is best. Weigh pros and cons. If staying home is an option for you then only you can decide.