Childcare Dilemmas

Back when we were in the throes of solving our post-maternity-leave childcare probs, we were beyond stressed out. So many variables to account for, so many pros and cons to consider, so much pressure.

Not only does this decision have the potential to make or break your career, but it also comes at a time when your kid is clingy AF. To make matters worse, the thought of leaving your child in the care of anyone other than you is often accompanied by both guilt and fear.

The good news is that young children are extremely adaptable. Give them a nanny and they’re best friends after twenty minutes at the park. Hand them to the grandparents; they’ll be playing gin rummy and shooting craps before you know it. Send them to daycare, and by week two, they’ll have ten new friends and won’t want you walking them all the way to the classroom door anymore, because they’ll prefer to do it alone “like a big kid.”

Our suggestion? Take a close look at your family’s unique situation and make a childcare decision based on that. Don’t base your decision on what your friends are doing or what the latest study on “future childhood success” has just revealed. Base this decision on your little crew and your collective happiness and nothing more.

We personally put a lot of thought (and research) into making the grand childcare decision for our families. Since the whole ordeal was a giant pain in the ass for us, we figured we’d save you the trouble and delve into all the options on your behalf. You’ve got enough shit to do these days, right?

Childcare Option	Pros	Cons
Stay-at-Home Mom/Dad	You get to be home for all the big moments.	You’re stuck at home through all the day-to-day crap.
	There’s no scrambling for childcare if your kid gets sick.	If your kid gets sick, you’re probably next.
	Your kid won’t be exposed to all the germs and grossness of a daycare facility.	Your kid’s immune system won’t get the early boost from all the germs and grossness of a daycare facility.
	You get to pick when/with whom your kid socializes.	You are solely responsible for socializing your kid, meaning you too will have to socialize (and the moms at the park may make you want to claw out your left eye).
	You don’t have to go to work.	You risk setting yourself back in your career trajectory.
	Play dates involve your baby socializing and you socializing, which is awesome if you’ve got some badass mom friends. Did somebody say afternoon sangria?	You may begin to feel like your kid’s personal assistant.
	When you’re having a shit day, you can literally stay in your pyjamas for as long as you damn well please.	You may end up spending more time in your pyjamas than you’re comfortable with.
Work-from-Home Mom/Dad	You get to be home for all the big moments.	You’re stuck at home, trying to work during unpredictable nap windows.
	You get more of a work/life balance.	You’ll feel like it’s more of a work/life juggling act/freak show.
	You’ll make your own schedule.	You’ll have to make that schedule around your kid’s schedule.
	You’ll surprise yourself with what you can accomplish in short, sporadic windows of time.	Any “downtime” you thought you’d have will be spent working.
Daycare	Your kid will be interacting and socializing with other kids all day.	Your kid will bring all of the germs home.
	You will be able to go back to work.	It’s so expensive that you’ll likely just be handing your paycheque over to the daycare centre.
	You won’t be stuck at home, dealing with the day-to-day crap.	You’ll probably miss some of the big moments.
	You’ll drink in every minute you spend with your little one. (Absence makes the heart grow fonder!)	You’ll never feel like you’ve had enough time with your little one.
	Your kid will become more adaptable.	Adjusting to a slightly more uncomfortable environment may result in some temporary behavioural pushback.
	Free. Time.	Drop-offs may be emotional torture.
Nanny	You’ll have the freedom to work from home or out of the house, knowing your kid can stick to their regular routine while you do it.	You’ll have to deal with the distraction of having your kid all over you if you’re home.
	You’ll have an extra set of hands to help with childcare and other household duties.	You’ll pay the price tag that comes with such a luxury.
	You’ll have the ability to choose the perfect person to help out on the home front.	You’ll have to deal with the pressure and time commitment that comes with choosing the perfect person to help out on the home front.
	There is the possibility of a wonderful, long-lasting relationship with the person you hire.	There is the possibility of a disastrous, short-lived relationship with the person you hire.
	You’ll have flexible work hours.	You’ll pay the price tag that comes with the luxury of flexible work hours.
	Your house. Your Rules.	Your bank account will be empty.
Grandparent or Other Family Member	Probably free!	Possibly unreliable.
	Your kid gets to form a close bond with the designated family member.	The designated family member will likely spoil the shit out of your kid.
	Your kid gets someone’s undivided love and attention all day (plus, there’s always the park or library drop-in they can attend to make baby friends).	Your kid probably won’t get as many opportunities to socialize with kids their age as they would at a daycare.
	If you’re lucky, this caregiver will also cook (common amongst the grands).	You’ll have to relinquish your control-freak health-food ways and just be glad you’re not the one doing all the cooking anymore.