Childcare for oldest child while on maternity leave

[becca13nov]

hi all, my 2nd Bub is due in November (long time to go!) but I was wondering if other mums of two took their oldest out of daycare while they go on maternity leave.
Daycare is about 45 mins drive from my house (an hour by the time I get my daughter in the car!). I chose the daycare because it's super close to my work but unfortunately too far from home to have my daughter go there when I'm on leave.

How difficult is it to care for a newborn and a two year old at the same time???

Getting worried that it'll be too hard to cope

[becca13nov]

Saving money is definitely a reason to keep my oldest at home but there is a long waiting list at daycare so I'm crossing my fingers that I'll time it perfectly so both kids have a spot when I return to work.

My oldest is very busy and loves attention so this new baby is going to be an interesting addition.

I think this is going to be an exhausting time!

I do like the idea of keeping her there for 1or 2 days a week. That will hold her space and keep her used to daycare. Thanks for your help guys. Glad  to hear from others in the same boat.

[maw4389]

Why wouldn't you take them out of daycare if you're going to be at home? You'd be saving money that way.

[amarie0082]

I plan on pulling mine out of full time.  He will be 2 by the time the baby comes.  I plan in still bringing him 1-2 days per week so he doesn't get used to staying home so it won't be as much of a shock when he has to go back full time once I go back to work.  I might increase the days he's there when I'm close to the end of maternity leave.  

[Coreys_mama]

I'm kinda in the same boat, I took my 21 month old out of day care and stopped working at 32 weeks now I'm 34 weeks, it's a little hard taking care of him being pregnant, so I can't imagine two, but he is a really good kid. But im curious and nervous about when the baby comes, because right now we are 5 minutes from day care but are moving and will be 45-60 minutes away from day care, I don't see driving that far or the money for it so I'm stopping work and being a stay at home mom