Any other expectant Dads?

[CharlieH89]

Anyone putting their child in nursery/ back in school?
We’ve planned to put our 18 month old daughter in to nursery next month one day a week.
I know there’s a risk but I also know it’s low.
What are your thoughts?

[richatnort]

CharlieH89 said:

Anyone putting their child in nursery/ back in school?
We’ve planned to put our 18 month old daughter in to nursery next month one day a week.
I know there’s a risk but I also know it’s low.
What are your thoughts?

My daughter has been in for 4 weeks roughly know and had no issues. They don't let you in and give a drop off time to avoid loads of queuing, just hand over at the gate and walk away. I think its the best thing we did as she's developing loads!

[eltawater]

CharlieH89 said:

Anyone putting their child in nursery/ back in school?
We’ve planned to put our 18 month old daughter in to nursery next month one day a week.
I know there’s a risk but I also know it’s low.
What are your thoughts?

Our pre-schooler has been back in since the start of June when they opened again. There were a few parents who were reluctant to send their kids in "the first wave" as it were, waiting for us canaries first Most sent theirs back by the start of July, across all rooms from 6 months to pre-school.

Initially for the first couple of months kids were kept in smaller staff bubbles so 3 bubbles to a year group / room. Now the bubbles have gone and it's just the whole year group mingling in a room. Temperature checks at the door for every child drop off but otherwise all normal as usual.

[vaud]

CharlieH89 said:

Anyone putting their child in nursery/ back in school?
We’ve planned to put our 18 month old daughter in to nursery next month one day a week.
I know there’s a risk but I also know it’s low.
What are your thoughts?

Ours went back in June. There is no material risk. Happy small person.

By contrast my niece (3) hasn’t seen another child since March and has developed serious behaviour issues.

They need socialising...

[nealeh1875]

CharlieH89 said:

Anyone putting their child in nursery/ back in school?
We’ve planned to put our 18 month old daughter in to nursery next month one day a week.
I know there’s a risk but I also know it’s low.
What are your thoughts?

our little girl went back in the moment she could, mid june it was maybe? 4 days a week and she loves it. she really needed it. And we did too, WFH and looking after her just got harder as the months progressed.

Since she's been back though she has learned so much, I can tell just by her strops lol She's not even fussed by the tele any more, it was all she wanted during lockdown, and now she don't care which is nice.

At the mo it is reduced hours and we have to provide all food which is annoying as the price hasn't reduced but they have said September they should be back to normal with hrs and the catering.

[anonymous-user]

For me, the rewards of childcare (for all involved) are too great to ignore. I have everything crossed childcare is not forced to close again.

[filthypig]

CharlieH89 said:

Anyone putting their child in nursery/ back in school?
We’ve planned to put our 18 month old daughter in to nursery next month one day a week.
I know there’s a risk but I also know it’s low.
What are your thoughts?

Ours (8 months) is going in today for his first stay and play and then starts properly once a week from 4th Sept. He really needs the interaction with others because lockdown really caused separation issues with him from us when we could finally see grandparents and hand him over for a cuddle.

Can't wait to give the wife a days break from him per week. She's been awesome with him since birth and through all this lockdown whilst I've still been working.

[Blown2CV]

ours have been back in nursery for some weeks now. The best thing to do is just get back in there ASAP.

[CharlieH89]

Thanks all for the replies.
Looks hugely positive then in children going back/ being back. I’m looking forward to her development mixing with other children, she has a cousin but he is 3 years older than her.
It will give my wife some time to focus on studying too

[Jcwjosh]

Good Afternoon Gents,

Been a while since ive posted anything substantial..

My partner has 2 back to work days next week and i am responsible for looking after 3 month old on my own for 2 days for the first time.. I am slightly apprehensive as i do not have the same magic touch with our little boy as my partner does.

I muck in and get involved but she does the majority of the work as i have to work full time whilst she is on maternity..

She drives just her and son in the car all the time, i have not yet done this just me and him and for some reason i am worried about it. I have to take car for an MOT on one of these days so might have to navigate a feed outside which i have never done.. I am worried that i dont have the same patience as my partner, i think i am good at noticing what he wants etc so hopefully i can get the sleep/feed cues right.

Any tips to keep 3 month old boy entertained when i run out of toys funny faces and non stop chatting ?? Usually i think i need a nap more than him after a couple of hours of talk and play.

Edited by Jcwjosh on Friday 21st August 15:20

[SpeckledJim]

Jcwjosh said:

Good Afternoon Gents,

Been a while since ive posted anything substantial..

So my partner has 2 back to work days next week and i am responsible for looking after 3 month old on my own for 2 days for the first time.. I am slightly apprehensive as i do not have the same magic touch with our little boy as my partner does.

I muck in and get involved but she does the majority of the work as i have to work full time whilst she is on maternity..

She drives just her and son in the car all the time, i have not yet done this just me and him and for some reason i am worried about it. I have to take car for an MOT on one of these days so might have to navigate a feed outside which i have never done.. I am worried that i dont have the same patience as my partner, i think i am good at noticing what he wants etc so hopefully i can get the sleep/feed cues right.

Any tips to keep 3 month old boy entertained when i run out of toys funny faces and non stop chatting ?? Usually i think i need a nap more than him after a couple of hours of talk and play.

Lock yourself in the coal hole for 20 minutes every time you do this! It's character building for you, and in the long-run your son will think more of you.

At three months, he's not going to fully understand why you're in the coal hole, but over time it will be worth it.

[vaud]

Jcwjosh said:

Good Afternoon Gents,

Been a while since ive posted anything substantial..

So my partner has 2 back to work days next week and i am responsible for looking after 3 month old on my own for 2 days for the first time.. I am slightly apprehensive as i do not have the same magic touch with our little boy as my partner does.

I muck in and get involved but she does the majority of the work as i have to work full time whilst she is on maternity..

She drives just her and son in the car all the time, i have not yet done this just me and him and for some reason i am worried about it. I have to take car for an MOT on one of these days so might have to navigate a feed outside which i have never done.. I am worried that i dont have the same patience as my partner, i think i am good at noticing what he wants etc so hopefully i can get the sleep/feed cues right.

Any tips to keep 3 month old boy entertained when i run out of toys funny faces and non stop chatting ?? Usually i think i need a nap more than him after a couple of hours of talk and play.

If it's a nice day then take a picnic rug and find a park etc

At 3 months some walks in the pushchair, etc for their naps. Take a book, etc and rest up while they sleep.

Put your phone away as they are an easy distraction.

Babies often like music so just lie on the floor with him and listen to some music if you want a break.

[ChocolateFrog]

I will be in the same situation on Oct 1st when the OH goes back to work 2 days a week.

I think she's more worried than I am, that said I'm sure I'll be flapping the first time he's really cranky and I can't fix it straight away.

[Jcwjosh]

ChocolateFrog said:

I will be in the same situation on Oct 1st when the OH goes back to work 2 days a week.

I think she's more worried than I am, that said I'm sure I'll be flapping the first time he's really cranky and I can't fix it straight away.

This is what im worried about... i am the best thing ever when hes had enough of old mum, but could he really find my ugly mug interesting for 10 hours im not so sure.

[tomble22]

At 3 months they're still sleeping quite a large chunk of the day (from memory) so that's handy for trying to get some things done or have a bit of downtime.

Just try not to worry too much, they're pretty easy at that age in terms of keeping occupied, feeding, changing etc. Once you've got the first day out the way it'll be like second nature. Wait until they're two and they get bored with everything within 10 minutes. Painting Daddy, playdoh Daddy, Daddy outside, Daddy Moana, Lunch Daddy etc......!!

[vaud]

tomble22 said:

At 3 months they're still sleeping quite a large chunk of the day (from memory) so that's handy for trying to get some things done or have a bit of downtime.

Just try not to worry too much, they're pretty easy at that age in terms of keeping occupied, feeding, changing etc. Once you've got the first day out the way it'll be like second nature. Wait until they're two and they get bored with everything within 10 minutes. Painting Daddy, playdoh Daddy, Daddy outside, Daddy Moana, Lunch Daddy etc......!!

10 minutes? You lucky so and so. My 3 year old had the attention span of a gnat under lockdown. Nursery reopening was a blessed relief for everyone.

[okgo]

Have had my 6 week old for a few days here and there (and nights) on my own. One positive of lockdown for me is that because I've been here with mother and child all the time, I'm as well versed in looking after him as she is really, helps of course that he's good on a bottle. That said we think he has silent reflux or colic, so there's a period each day/night where its pretty testing.

Re NCT - we did it on Zoom, was ok, I'm not fussed about making anymore friends, but it was good for my wife, and she's met up with them all quite a lot. Content was fine, obviously you quickly learn on the job anyway. Your baby week by week is quite a good book we've found.

[tomble22]

vaud said:

10 minutes? You lucky so and so. My 3 year old had the attention span of a gnat under lockdown. Nursery reopening was a blessed relief for everyone.

I was trying to be positive!!

Actually it probably is 10 minutes when we get to the bit in Moana where she bangs the drum and the boats, then we have to dance repeatedly to it for about 5 goes!!

[ChocolateFrog]

Jcwjosh said:

ChocolateFrog said:

I will be in the same situation on Oct 1st when the OH goes back to work 2 days a week.

I think she's more worried than I am, that said I'm sure I'll be flapping the first time he's really cranky and I can't fix it straight away.

This is what im worried about... i am the best thing ever when hes had enough of old mum, but could he really find my ugly mug interesting for 10 hours im not so sure.

For me I can feel my blood pressure and stress rising if he's been crying for more than a few mins and it's easy to just hand him over.

The reality is even if he's really upset it's rarely for more than 15 mins so just got to grin and get through it making sure you haven't missed anything obvious.

With mine often he's happier just being left on a play mat rather than being handled constantly.

[eltawater]

Jcwjosh said:

Good Afternoon Gents,

Been a while since ive posted anything substantial..

My partner has 2 back to work days next week and i am responsible for looking after 3 month old on my own for 2 days for the first time.. I am slightly apprehensive as i do not have the same magic touch with our little boy as my partner does.

Don't overthink it and don't be too hard on yourself

Activity, food, sleep, nappy . Repeat that cycle 2-3 times a day and you'll be amazed at how quickly the hours fly by. You've already got the magic touch because you're recognised as the other food slave and cuddle purveyor.

Give them a change, take them for a walk somewhere, let them have a feed and then fall asleep. If you're lucky you'll get a few hours of nap time before the cycle repeats again.