Parenting Without Daycare

Many parents enroll even their babies in daycare for many reasons. The most common reason is that there is no other option, because there is no one home to care for the child during the day. Nothing can be done to help that. However, there are other reasons that people enroll their toddlers in daycare. There are misconceptions about daycare and child development now, and many believe that daycare is necessary for a child to develop normally. All that daycare is said to accomplish can be done in other ways--without the expense of paying the daycare provider. If you would rather have your child at your side, but still want to give your child the 'benefits' associated with daycare, there are ways to do it. So how do you parent without daycare?

One reason that people put their children in daycare is so that they will be around other children. Up until the age of one, babies need one-on-one interaction more than they need socialization. After that, socialization is certainly important. However, daycare is not the only place children can socialize. Your child can socialize and build friendships by frequenting parks, playgrounds, and other facilities for children. You can also take your child to play dates with others who have children of a similar age, which is great for you as a parent, because you get to socialize as well. Even joining a playgroup, which usually meets once a week, is much cheaper than daycare and will allow your child to make friends without having to be without you all day. Your child can socialize and interact with other children without daycare, and your baby needs you more than he needs socialization.

Some people enroll their children in daycare so that they can have a break. That is very reasonable, but it's not the only way. You could enlist a friend or family member to watch your children while you run errands, have a pampering day, or go on a date with your husband. One great option is to swap-sit. You baby-sit for another mother while she goes out to play, and then she returns the favor for you. You could also double up and go out together, one watching the children while the other does her errand or gets her tan. Another option is to have your partner watch the children for one evening a week while you go out on the town or just kick back and relax. Daycare is a great option when you need a day without your children but have no one to watch them. However, if you'd rather your children be around relatives and close friends than in daycare, with a little creativity, it's possible.

Others consider daycare to be like school--but it is not. They believe that their child won't be ready for preschool and kindergarten unless they have gone to daycare. Many daycares do have a school environment, but often these are private institutions. The typical home daycare or daycare center is not a school. Daycare children often pick up words faster than children of at-home parents, because they have to learn to communicate to get by. Daycare providers are no more capable of preparing your child academically than you are.

Consider this: the ratio of daycare kids to providers is usually 5:1. At home, your child gets one-on-one learning time with you. Unless you have more than five children, you can teach them even better, being that you have less kids who need you. You also know your kid better than anyone else. You can prepare your child for school by reading to him, encouraging him to read, taking him to museums and zoos, asking questions, and just talking to him about his world.

In most situations, a child does not need daycare. Children can socialize at parks and play dates. Parents are much more capable of preparing their own children academically. When it's just one or three kids to one parent, that's a smaller ratio than the typical 5:1 at daycare. You can give your child more attention, and you know your child better. Most parents don't need it either, and they certainly don't need to pay for it! Parents can ask friends or relatives to watch their children if they need a break or swap-sit. Certainly there are times when parents aren't capable of doing these things, and it's perfectly acceptable to use daycare if you feel its best. However, it is usually not a necessity unless you need childcare while you work. You can raise your child without daycare if you chose to do so--without spending a pretty penny on it!