To daycare or not to daycare?

So last week my babysitter told me she’s planning to go home for good at the end of the year. I was happy for her because she hasn’t been home (Philippines) for 5 years.

5 years is way too long not to see your family. Btw, she’s a lesbian so she’s not married and don’t have children but she supports her nieces and nephews. Yes, she’s very matulungin and sometimes tanga coz I think her relatives back home only wants her padala. Every month, meron nasa hospital. Haaay!

Anyway, I am all for her going back home. She needs to be with her family and spend time with them. Told her it’s ok kasi baby S will be 14 months by that time, I think she can manage na to be left at daycare.

I do have some qualms about it though. In this part of the world, babies & children left at daycares are the norm since most people here are expats and likely both parents have full time jobs. There are so many day care facilities around the city, and if you really want the best of the best, you should be willing to pay between Qrs. 3,000-4,000 (37K-50K in pesos). Yes, sending your baby to a daycare will cost you an arm and a leg in this part of the world. There are also options which are in mid-range prices but I am assuming your child will be with 10 or more other children and I don’t know if I will be comfortable leaving my child playing with kids that many. Not to mention the risk of getting all kinds of viruses from other kids. Sorry but as a mother, I am very protective of my child especially when it comes to her health. The last thing I want to know is her contracting some kind of disease from other children.

I know there are downside of sending your child to a daycare and I’ve read and heard terrible things. What kind of mother leaves her precious baby to strangers in a daycare? Definitely not the kind of mother I wanted to be. But what choice do we have? I don’t want other mommies out there making me feel guilty of not being a SAHM. I am certain all mothers would prefer that IF the circumstances allow them to.

I’ve started scouting for daycare close to my workplace or our home. No luck! Ugh! Actually there is one at the 2^nd floor of our office building but never bothered to inquire as I already know it is way out of our budget so it’s useless asking really. I still have 3 months to find a suitable daycare for baby S, hoping I will find a place where they actually care for your child and not just after your money.

I’ve also thought of just getting a replacement of my babysitter kasi I am more comfortable with a Kabayan, there will be no language barrier, will understand how I want my baby to be taken care of. It will also be less hassle as I don’t need to take baby to the daycare every morning and then pick her up in the afternoon after work. Whew, that is a lot of work! I will also have my peace of mind knowing my baby is in the comfort of our own home. But the biggest question is – Where will I get a replacement???? We originally wanted a stay-in helper and have tried to get one from Philippines but her visa was denied by the Immigration. My current babysitter was just recommended by someone and thankfully she’s not the typical yaya na laging bumabale or intrimitida. She’s not stay-in, she comes on weekdays only at 7am and wait until I get home between 4-6pm before she leaves. She does other odd jobs too on weekends and evenings after babysitting my baby. See, she’s very masipag kaya I’m a bit nanghihinayang din na aalis na siya.

So, that’s my dilemma at the moment and for the next 3 months until I find someone to look after baby S. if only I could afford to be a SAHM! Sigh!