The Newborn & Toddlers Off-Topic Chat Thread

yellow hen

How Strange wrote: »

Our crèche charges €700 per month for 4 full days which is around €161 a week. That's very expensive for 3.5 days

Ours is €797 for 5 days which I know is pretty good.

Xdancer

yellow hen wrote: »

Ours is €797 for 5 days which I know is pretty good.

Wow crèche prices in Ireland scare me. I could tell you what I pay per month but fear you'll all hate me.
I know wages are higher in Ireland but it's so expensive particularly if you have more than 1.

yellow hen

Xdancer wrote: »

Wow crèche prices in Ireland scare me. I could tell you what I pay per month but fear you'll all hate me.
I know wages are higher in Ireland but it's so expensive particularly if you have more than 1.

Oh I have no idea what we'll do if/when we have two in crèche... That scares me.

The_Conductor

yellow hen wrote: »

Ours is €797 for 5 days which I know is pretty good.

Ours has staggered payments from 1,300 per month for an under 1, to 1,000 for a 1 to 2 year old and then 800 a month for 2+
Morning or Afternoon rate is 500 a month.

This is a subsidised rate (its one of the former public sector creches).

:mad:

The_Conductor

yellow hen wrote: »

Oh I have no idea what we'll do if/when we have two in crèche... That scares me.

We both work- and still ran up debt of 20k+ despite cutting back on everything imaginable- we don't drink or smoke, we haven't had a holiday in 5 years- and our single biggest expenditure after the creche is our mortgage. We have a 12 year old car, and no subscription TV/gym memberships etc.

Creche fees in Ireland are nuts- they're not even tax deductible (which school fees are).

It often seems to people who work- that the only people who can afford to have children- are those who can afford to stay at home and not pay creche fees.

It is deeply unfair and inequitable.

How Strange

yellow hen wrote: »

Ours is €797 for 5 days which I know is pretty good.

That's a great rate. I thought ours was good! Yes, Loubian we're in Dublin 10 so probably at the lower end of the price range compared to south county Dublin or City centre.

The thing about paying for 2 kids is the first will be going to ecce and/or primary school within 2 years.

We're currently negotiating for the kids being at home with me for 2 half days a week when I start using parental leave in September and it's nearly as cheap to keep them in full time.

Chattastrophe!

Ours is €1,049 a month, think it goes down to around €949 or something after they reach 18 months. No idea how we'd manage if we had two. I suppose maybe a childminder might be a bit cheaper?

Xdancer

The_Conductor wrote: »

Ours has staggered payments from 1,300 per month for an under 1, to 1,000 for a 1 to 2 year old and then 800 a month for 2+
Morning or Afternoon rate is 500 a month.

This is a subsidised rate (its one of the former public sector creches).

:mad:

Good lord! How can they get away with charging so much for a service that is a necessity to many. I know there are other childcare options available but they really need to make it more affordable.

loubian

Have a strep throat,pulled muscle and back is in agony and it's my birthday on Sunday and was meant to be going out tomorrow. Think I may just want to sleep!

lonestargirl

The_Conductor wrote: »

Ours has staggered payments from 1,300 per month for an under 1, to 1,000 for a 1 to 2 year old and then 800 a month for 2+
Morning or Afternoon rate is 500 a month.

This is a subsidised rate (its one of the former public sector creches).

:mad:

That seems very high, even for Dublin. Our crèche is in a fairly affluent area in Dublin 6 and it's €1010 up to 18 months and then €905. At that they have staff to child ratios that are slightly stricter that those required by law (I would assume pay is the biggest expense for any child are facility).

Emmadilema123

Omg looking at some of these prices I'm thanking god that I don't have to use a crèche. By the time my company shares and pension is deducted I would literally be working to pay the crèche. Crickey

If I had to get childcare I would get a nanny instead because from what I understand they charge per hour as opposed to per child and it seems much cheaper just from the research I've done.

A friend of mine is paying peanuts for her au pair but I just can't see myself letting a stranger live in my house

Emmadilema123

On another note found out something bizarre yesterday that appears to be common knowledge lol am I the only one in the world that didn't know that twins can have 2 different fathers? I am sure we didn't cover that in biology lol

How Strange

If you get a nanny you have to pay at least minimum wage, deduct prsi, USC and paye and pay employers USC and prsi. You also have to pay for holidays and bank holidays. I think a nanny, while it's great in theory as they come to your house, is the most expensive option unless perhaps you have more than 2 children.

As for people using au pairs as childminders, well you pay peanuts and you get monkeys. It depends on the ages of the children. If they're going to school then they need very basic minding but if they are babies or toddlers then au pairs are a poor choice as they're not qualified to child mind in most cases.

I think a child minder is the most cost effective option as they can take the children when they're sick whereas you have to take them out of crèche for anything contagious like hand, foot and mouth or conjunctivitis even if they're not actually sick.

It's a shame that there's no tax relief for childminding fees. It's a lot of money every month and we're finding it tough financially at the moment. There's no extra cash to cover emergencies such as our water tank needing to be replaced so our savings are now gone.

I just keep repeating that my son will be starting school in 2015 and it will get cheaper then.

Hannibal Smith

I thought the same HS...but our creche fees were half the standard day fees for school and a full day if they finished at 12. Plus there's the complication of drop offs and collections and room in the cars, then you pay full fees during holidays which means the savings are tiny. Then the summer hols when they're really too big for creche and the pressure of doing summer camps starts. I thought school would be the answer to our financial prayers. ..but it really hasn't been as big a saving as I expected.

beertons

My 1 year old has had her 2 top and bottom teeth for ages. Well she was a bit moany and nose going crazy today so we checked the guns. Cutting 4 back teeth. Eeek.

How Strange

My 1 year old has been so cranky for the last few weeks. She has 4 top and 2 bottom teeth for months. This morning I felt the tip of a new bottom tooth and can see the other just under the gum. Her nose has been streaming all day so I wouldn't be surprised if a molar appears too

How Strange

Hannibal Smith wrote: »

I thought the same HS...but our creche fees were half the standard day fees for school and a full day if they finished at 12. Plus there's the complication of drop offs and collections and room in the cars, then you pay full fees during holidays which means the savings are tiny. Then the summer hols when they're really too big for creche and the pressure of doing summer camps starts. I thought school would be the answer to our financial prayers. ..but it really hasn't been as big a saving as I expected.

loubian

I'd do anything for a full night sleep, for someone to share the responsibility, for someone to share the worries having a horrible night here

yellow hen

loubian wrote: »

I'd do anything for a full night sleep, for someone to share the responsibility, for someone to share the worries having a horrible night here

Loubian, I can't imagine how draining and difficult it must be sometimes. When things are good, you'll forget the bad times ever existed. I hope today is better and with a bit of rest you feel more positive. If it helps, I'm in awe of you doing it alone.

Nead21

My little man is now walking (wobbly), I'm super proud

yellow hen

Nead21 wrote: »

My little man is now walking (wobbly), I'm super proud

Oh that's great Nead. I am so looking forward to that happening but can't see it anytime soon. What age is your little guy now?

Synyster Shadow

My little guy started at 12 months now he's just unstoppable.. I'm trying to keep him away from all sorts.. Really not easy at all

loubian

yellow hen wrote: »

Loubian, I can't imagine how draining and difficult it must be sometimes. When things are good, you'll forget the bad times ever existed. I hope today is better and with a bit of rest you feel more positive. If it helps, I'm in awe of you doing it alone.

Thanks ended up in ddoc at 1.30 this morning with her and we finally got some piritin. Gave it to her and she slept until 10.30, waking for a bottle at 7, n falling straight back asleep. Sometimes I doubt myself as a mother, but this morning I know I am a good one.

Nead21

yellow hen wrote: »

Oh that's great Nead. I am so looking forward to that happening but can't see it anytime soon. What age is your little guy now?

He's just gone 14months. He's been walking around and along furniture for a good while and taking a few steps, but last week he started walking unaided for longer. We got him he first pair of shoes on Saturday. He's delighted with himself.

They all do it in their own time

IvyTheTerrible

L walked at 20 months, and now he sprints around the place!

Emmadilema123

Super unhappy baba here today. More molars through. I'd say it's going to be non stop teething now until she has them all if she is anything like her brother. She isn't even 14 months yet but her bro had a full set of Delph well before he turned two. It's good to get it over with though :-D

Despite baba being an emotional wreck still managed to make stuffing and stuff the pork and make apple sauce and some yummy veg. Washing basket empty thanks to the wonderful drying out recently. I love a productive day.

Was anyone out with the babas yesterday? We always head to rathbeggan lakes purely because it's close to home but it was absolutely heaving yesterday and it kind of took the fun out of it. Any suggestion for nice outdoor Sunday trips for 1&3 yr old?

red fraggle

Rarely get on to post! J is 7months and has finally rolled over and can sit on his own for a good while! He also says nana and mama the last few days! Prpud mammy here! Hope all the mammies and babies are well!

red fraggle

Rarely get on to post! J is 7months and has finally rolled over and can sit on his own for a good while! He also says nana and mama the last few days! Prpud mammy here! Hope all the mammies and babies are well!

dublinlady

On the child minding thing -my nanny - employer prsi, paye and USC taken into account is still cheaper than 2 on crèche for 40 hours, she's amazing and it's so easy. If be lost now without her. Can't se how a different option would work for us in terms of out working rotas etc.

On the teeth/ s has gotten. 5 this week she all out of sorts and I didn't expect it!

Despite trying every fancy brand of suncreAm my daughters are still covered on rash... Hard to discern if it's the cream or diet as youngest has dairy and allergy.


Trying to decide whether to send my youngest to school at 5 and months or 4 and 5 months!!!?? Her sister will start at 4 yrs 7 months. They will either be a year apart or two. Don't want my youngest to be big In her class so thinking of holding her back.... The eldest will be well able for it! What ya reckon ?!

Emmadilema123

dublinlady wrote: »

On the child minding thing -my nanny - employer prsi, paye and USC taken into account is still cheaper than 2 on crèche for 40 hours, she's amazing and it's so easy. If be lost now without her. Can't se how a different option would work for us in terms of out working rotas etc.

On the teeth/ s has gotten. 5 this week she all out of sorts and I didn't expect it!

Despite trying every fancy brand of suncreAm my daughters are still covered on rash... Hard to discern if it's the cream or diet as youngest has dairy and allergy.


Trying to decide whether to send my youngest to school at 5 and months or 4 and 5 months!!!?? Her sister will start at 4 yrs 7 months. They will either be a year apart or two. Don't want my youngest to be big In her class so thinking of holding her back.... The eldest will be well able for it! What ya reckon ?!

Thanks for the info on the Nanny. Glad to see it's working for someone as it's my plan b if current childcare set up ever changes :-D

With regard to the school thing I have always heard nothing but bad things about starting early however, the only experience I have is my younger brother. He was very young starting and my mam was a bit concerned so there was massive focus on his education. I remember my mam saying to myself and my other siblings to talk to him about abcs etc now extremely intelligent young man with impressive 3rd level working in a great job at 23 and still educating himself constantly. His focus and determination is something I have yet to encounter in another person and as you have guessed I'm one of my little brothers biggest fans lol so my point is it can work. You will probably know yourself closer to the time if your child is capable and the free ecce year is a good indicator. My little guy will be 4 and 9 starting primary :-D

Emmadilema123

Not been old enough to drink in 6th year probably helped too

Emmadilema123

Voicemail just before I leave the house! Injections cancelled! Woohoo. Not dreading today half as much now.

Suucee

One of my SILs works in a crèche the other SIL teachers junior infants. They both think 5 is better age to start.
They are a bot more sociable at 5, have more concentration. Will sit longer.
I am going to start her at 5 and 4 months as I worked it out if she goes straight to college after she finishes school she will spend the entire first year of college as 17 and unable to legally drink. while all her friends are out enjoying themselves .
17 is very young to be off out on their own in college (I know this may not happen , she may take a year out, do transition year etc) .

Plus I want to keep her young and carefree for as long as I can. Will probably send L at 5 and 5 months. so there will be 2 school years between them.

Emmadilema123

Suucee wrote: »

One of my SILs works in a crèche the other SIL teachers junior infants. They both think 5 is better age to start.
They are a bot more sociable at 5, have more concentration. Will sit longer.
I am going to start her at 5 and 4 months as I worked it out if she goes straight to college after she finishes school she will spend the entire first year of college as 17 and unable to legally drink. while all her friends are out enjoying themselves .
17 is very young to be off out on their own in college (I know this may not happen , she may take a year out, do transition year etc) .

Plus I want to keep her young and carefree for as long as I can. Will probably send L at 5 and 5 months. so there will be 2 school years between them.

I think there's pros and cons to both and depends on the individual child.

My brother wasn't old enough to drink in his first year in college but still went out. He is a very sociable young lad and never really needed alcohol as crutch or a boost in social situations which unfortunately does happen when young people start socialising in an "adult" scene. Now he has very little interest in alcohol. Goes to night clubs Etc and will have maybe one drink if even (he usually drives) I don't think that's a bad thing.

Unlike his sister here who turned 18 lost the head with the freedom and the drinking and didn't do aswell as she could have in leaving cert. I know it's a very personal thing but in my family it was the two that started 3rd level at 17 that were the most successful. My sister started at 17 and had her masters completed by 22 and has fantastic career and life of travel.

I think it's important to look at the child as an individual. My little man is really advanced and he needs the structure. He is in "school" 2 days a week now, will start ecce in September and should be well used to classroom rules etc come September 2015

Also professionals are largely divided on the issue. My mam works for barnardos and is very well versed on child development and my sister is child protection/medical social worker and they have both been on my case constantly about getting my little man started but again that's because they know him and they know what he personally needs.

Suucee

Emmadilema123 wrote: »

I think there's pros and cons to both and depends on the individual child.

My brother wasn't old enough to drink in his first year in college but still went out. He is a very sociable young lad and never really needed alcohol as crutch or a boost in social situations which unfortunately does happen when young people start socialising in an "adult" scene. Now he has very little interest in alcohol. Goes to night clubs Etc and will have maybe one drink if even (he usually drives) I don't think that's a bad thing.

Unlike his sister here who turned 18 lost the head with the freedom and the drinking and didn't do aswell as she could have in leaving cert. I know it's a very personal thing but in my family it was the two that started 3rd level at 17 that were the most successful. My sister started at 17 and had her masters completed by 22 and has fantastic career and life of travel.

I think it's important to look at the child as an individual. My little man is really advanced and he needs the structure. He is in "school" 2 days a week now, will start ecce in September and should be well used to classroom rules etc come September 2015

Also professionals are largely divided on the issue. My mam works for barnardos and is very well versed on child development and my sister is child protection/medical social worker and they have both been on my case constantly about getting my little man started but again that's because they know him and they know what he personally needs.

Yea it does depend on the child too. They may not be to keen on drinking like your brother but most places would require ID to get in to even if there not having a drink. My daughter was only 2 in april and baba only 3 months so my mind may change but at the mo that's how I feel about it. As you said though the ECCE year is a great indicator. A friend of ours (also has an april baba) was going to send her son and 4 and 4 months but just about to finish the ecce year they have decided another year of preschool is best for him. They were determined to send him at 4 but that swayed them.

Emmadilema123

Suucee wrote: »

Yea it does depend on the child too. They may not be to keen on drinking like your brother but most places would require ID to get in to even if there not having a drink. My daughter was only 2 in april and baba only 3 months so my mind may change but at the mo that's how I feel about it. As you said though the ECCE year is a great indicator. A friend of ours (also has an april baba) was going to send her son and 4 and 4 months but just about to finish the ecce year they have decided another year of preschool is best for him. They were determined to send him at 4 but that swayed them.

Don't get me wrong I have seen some kids start at 4 that struggled with wetting and behaviour etc so I don't have any sort of blanket opinion but thought I should play devils advocate because there's so much out there against the young start

Emmadilema123

Anyone interested? Have a few more bits and bobs going up soon as my house has more baby bits than mothercare and I ain't dragging it all with me when I move soon lol http://www.donedeal.ie/othermotherbaby-for-sale/mamas-and-papas-snug-with-playtray/7194011

melmoth77

Suucee wrote: »

Yea it does depend on the child too. They may not be to keen on drinking like your brother but most places would require ID to get in to even if there not having a drink. My daughter was only 2 in april and baba only 3 months so my mind may change but at the mo that's how I feel about it. As you said though the ECCE year is a great indicator. A friend of ours (also has an april baba) was going to send her son and 4 and 4 months but just about to finish the ecce year they have decided another year of preschool is best for him. They were determined to send him at 4 but that swayed them.

Hi all, just laughing at this topic as it reminds me of my first year in college. I was a young starter - started the day I turned 4 (birthday end of september) so just 17 starting college. The college ID only printed your date of birth if you were under 18, which we quickly discovered could be rubbed away using an eraser and a bit of effort! So never any issues going out the first year.
Personally I was very glad of the "extra year" later in life and the early start worked for me, but really depends on individual child as you say.

Sweet_pea

I'm really not a fan of early school starts myself so my boy will be 5 and 9 months starting. Whether he could drink in the first year of uni or not wouldn't factor into my thinking at all. Esp as if I had it my way he wouldn't go straight to collage after school.

Chattastrophe!

Anyone know where you can buy those wash-proof pens for labelling kids clothes?

IvyTheTerrible

Chattastrophe! wrote: »

Anyone know where you can buy those wash-proof pens for labelling kids clothes?

I've bought them in craft shops.

The_Conductor

Tesco sell Sharpie Laundry markers. Think they're about E3 each. I know Maynooth have them- not sure about other branches.

Amazon sell them online- starting at about £1.30 all the way up.......

com1

Chattastrophe! wrote: »

Anyone know where you can buy those wash-proof pens for labelling kids clothes?

Got one in Easons a few months ago.

Pawwed Rig

Sweet_pea wrote: »

I'm really not a fan of early school starts myself so my boy will be 5 and 9 months starting. Whether he could drink in the first year of uni or not wouldn't factor into my thinking at all. Esp as if I had it my way he wouldn't go straight to collage after school.

I started school at 5 years and 3 months but as I had already been taught to read and write I was streets ahead of some of the other kids in the class. Therefore alot of my time in early school was wasted just because I started 'late'.

Who would factor in the drinking in college bit??:pac:

Sweet_pea

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

I started school at 5 years and 3 months but as I had already been taught to read and write I was streets ahead of some of the other kids in the class. Therefore alot of my time in early school was wasted just because I started 'late'.

Who would factor in the drinking in college bit??:pac:

The drinking bit was in response to the early conversation.

I would view some of the current education system a waste of time anyway so holding off for as long as possible would suit us better

Pawwed Rig

Sweet_pea wrote: »

I would view some of the current education system a waste of time anyway so holding off for as long as possible would suit us better

So would I and is why in my case it would have been more beneficial starting earlier rather than later as it is something that has to be covered anyway so better to get it done as early as possible where the child will get some benefit rather than sitting there bored as others try to catch up*


*I went to a particularly bad school so not here saying I am outrageously smart.

Don't get me started on the amount of time wasted doing religion and Irish in school but that is for another thread:pac:

RoiSoleil

I am enjoying life with my new 6 year old son. By the way, since when has there been a 4 o clock in the morning too? When did this hapoen?

RoiSoleil

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Don't get me started on the amount of time wasted doing religion and Irish in school but that is for another thread:pac:

I agree completely. Could you imagine if these hours were dedicated to science, computer coding, a European language or philosophy even!

The_Conductor

RoiSoleil wrote: »

I agree completely. Could you imagine if these hours were dedicated to science, computer coding, a European language or philosophy even!

As long as 'religion' classes, are not indoctrination classes- and broaden children's horizons to the great diversity of faiths in the world- I don't have an issue with them- aside from anything else, they are just about the only form of civics taught to children any more.

As for Irish- having gone to an all-Irish school myself, more years ago than I care to remember- I have to say having good Irish makes learning other latin based languages a lot easier. I've done electives in Spanish, I'm trying to improve my Portuguese- and I've worked in French and German, down the years. Italian is easy to read- and cooking instructions or menus- don't fill me with terror.

A lot of what is wrong with Irish- is the poor way its taught. If we taught French or German in a similar manner- we'd probably have similar feelings about them.

Different strokes for different folks.......?

Pawwed Rig

The_Conductor wrote: »

A lot of what is wrong with Irish- is the poor way its taught. If we taught French or German in a similar manner- we'd probably have similar feelings about them.

Agreed and I would love to be able to speak it but after 13 years studying it I still could not keep up with a conversation or an Irish programme on TV and I did Hons Irish for my leaving. Sad waste of time. The way it is taught does not seem to have changed in the 20 years since I left school either.

Any religion class I ever did was indoctrination. I remeber thinking at the age of 8 that the most worthwhile thing I could do with my life was to die for my religion:eek:. How opinions have changed :pac:. That said we got Junior christened last weekend so there you are, I am a hypocrite aswell.