Feeling like a bad mum

I’m due my second baby in February and thinking of putting my then 18 month in childcare two days a week for a number of reasons 1. Social aspect ( we currently go out everyday to do something social or fun and I won’t be able to maintain this once baby is here at first ) 2. I want to give my newborn SOME of what my first born had I.E time alone, do a couple mama newborn groups and just sofa snuggles without having to split myself in two 3. My little boy is so confident and outgoing - any group or play setting he’s off out of my arms and doesn’t look back to check for me once for the whole 1-2 hours because he’s having so much fun and I want to maintain this confidence My worry is I’m being a bad mum not having him home with us the whole time even though I wouldn’t be at work. He’s never been to childcare yet and this would be the first time ( planning to start him a month before baby comes) Opinions, experiences, views welcome

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My daughter is 19 months older than my newborn and she started creche at start Sept - he was born end Sept. We done it for all the reasons you listed above AND so they would have spaces in the childcare when I go back to work. In my area childcare is like gold dust! I don't think it makes you (or me) a bad mom to want some one on one time with a new baby - the first born got a lot of it!!

I’m on maternity leave with my second (she’s two months) and my toddler has full time childcare. He’s in nursery 4 days and my MIL comes over to watch him the 5th. Personally I didn’t want to mess with his routine as he was already in nursery when #2 came along, but also I would have felt guilty for my second child not giving her the bonding and experience that my first got last year. We’re lucky to be able to afford it and I’m able to do all the same classes with baby sister. Please don’t feel guilty! 2u2 is Hard you will need some downtime.

@Allie I think it’s because he currently doesn’t go but is used to me taking him out with other children every single day and we do so much. With a newborn in Feb I know I won’t be able to do that and it’ll be such a shock along with everything else. Thinking the childcare social aspect and trips will do him the world of good two days a week but I feel so guilty like I’m shipping him off x