Being brave
For the past few months we’ve kind of been in limbo in regards to child care.
We’ve had three (THREE!) babysitters since October. Each one of them was helping us out while looking for a more permanent, full-time job. And what do you know? Every last one of them found one. Do you want to know how to solve the unemployment problem in this country? Anyone looking for a job should come spend five minutes with JR. They will be employed in a matter of days.
So, daycare it is.
After many (many, many, good Lord, so many) phone calls, we managed to track down a center at a local church that we’re comfortable with AND will not put us in the poorhouse. Well, not the really crummy poorhouse, anyway. The nicer poorhouse.
This will mean a change to my working schedule. Instead of 2 days in the office and working from home the rest of the week, I’ll have 3 1/2 to 4 days in the office (and more if necessary). This new schedule will free me up in the evening (somewhat), making our time together less of a struggle of what wants to get done and what needs to get done. And with JR now being a one-nap man (!) that struggle was going to inevitably get more and more tense.
But more so than the logistical things, this is kind of a world-shift for JR who has spent every day of his life just hanging out with adults. He’ll be in a class where they have circle time. He’ll have a little nap mat and a cubby with things in it. He’ll have friends.
To me, this situation pretty much encompasses what this whole parenting gig is about: hard choices, being brave, and letting go a little bit so your kid gets the chance to come into his own.
Yes, this is good. But, oh my, how I will miss him.
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JR is going to love this! You will be amazed by how much he learns — new songs, new games, new words everyday.
I always wanted to stay home with my kids, and still would love to do it, but that’s just not an option for us. Now that I see how much Luke has learned in three years and how excited he is to go to preschool every morning, I’m so glad he’s had the experience. At the end of each day as Luke comes runing to me with a big smile and looking for a hug, I know it’s a good thing.
Good luck! I can’t wait to read how it goes for both of you. (It will be so much easier for him.)
crap, do you need me to quit my job and move into the loft and keep Jackson?
Hey Valerie,
I follow your postings and have thoroughly enjoyed them, especially the ones about JR. I feel so much like you on a lot of your postings. I read this one and had to finally comment. My son, Grayson, who is 2 months younger than JR has been in daycare since September. I REALLY HATED to put him there, but couldn’t find anyone to keep him that I knew and trusted. He attends Kids R Kids on Hull Street and I LOVE IT. He has learned so much. When we are around my two neices that are 2 year old twins, my mom always comments that she can tell that Grayson goes to daycare because he is Mr. Social. He has already learned to share, and they are even painting with their fingers and coloring. I will say that he has been sick a little more than what he would be if he were at home, but in the long run, he has benefited from his experience at daycare. I will also say that it is SO DIFFICULT leaving them after being off for long weekends or, like now, snow days. I will admit there is a tear from me on those days. The one thing that does help me is that this daycare offers video viewing for parents, so my mom and Tim look in on him and can see how he spends his days. I hope your experience is as good as mine has been. Keep writing, you do a great job of putting the feelings of many moms into words. Take care!