Friday, January 6, 2012

Daycare

I'm having an internal debate with my heart and mind.  It blows.  Sara, my friend and Patrick's nanny from 2 months till 7 months, has taken a social work job that she couldn't pass up.  Therefore, Joc and I are scrambling a bit to find daycare starting the 16th of january.  When Sara first told me a week ago, I was really really bummed.  I knew I had it great.  And I thought, well, not a problem to find a daycare to accept Patrick.  I was a little wrong there.  Our first choice: Appletree on Monroe got right back to me to let me know they are full until end of February/early March.  Bummer, Plan B- a daycare by Saints (excellent reviews from a co-worker, very close to my work, so very convenient for both Joc and I for drop offs and pick ups)- when we finally got in touch with someone, they had one spot and a couple had come through the day before so they had dibs.  Of course, upon hearing there was another child interested, they pounced on the open spot! Ugh.  On to Plan C- Aquinas child care, I had talked with them prior to Sara taking the nanny role and they were in our top 3 daycares.  Yup, full.  Waiting list until June! JUNE!! What the hell?  Was there a baby boom recently that I didn't know about?!  Ok, Plan D, E and F?  We've contacted multiple other daycares, the majority are full and the one that isn't we aren't crazy about.  They can accommodate us starting the 16th, there's no enrollment fee and it's 10 minutes out of the way for me, a little out of the way for Joc.  So, do we settle on this place because they can accommodate Patrick or do I drop to part time and try to find a nanny to come to the house the other part of the week?  My internal debate boils down to my work/life balance.  Since taking the educator roll, I've been working 5 days a week 7-4.  Weekends and holidays off.  There are days I go to work and think, "why did I take this job?"  Other days, I really enjoy it.  I miss the bedside but then I get a chance to help out at the bedside and I think, "oh yeah, I don't miss it that much."  Why am I working 5 days a week?  I can easily tell my boss I want 4 days a week or 3 days a week, but can our pocketbook/bills take the change?  I miss Patrick often, would I go crazy at home with him?  It's often cheaper to pay for a week of daycare than part of a week... ugh.  
What's a mother to do? 
Then, we're thinking of trying for a second baby in the spring/early summer... so will we both work full time then too?  AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Why didn't anyone tell me it was so hard to be a working mom?  I don't think I could be a total stay at home mom... 
I need a drink...

5 comments:

TB said...

options....
1. stay full time college "kid" from AQ to help at your house with PJ

2. go part time and add help from part 1

3. advertise at church?

4.. option i don't know about :)

have a drink! this working mom (whether you are a work at home or work out of the home mom) is HARD! dang parenting is hard in and of itself! :)

TB said...

should say and GET help from a college kid from AQ :) I know a gal who does. I can ask her how she got her nanny if you want!

Jen said...

oh girl... you did have it VERY good! When i first started looking for Belle, i kid you not, i called over 50 places from the maryland child care database (i didn't know where else to start). either they no longer existed or had no availability for infants... i was FREAKING! my recommendation - look at all the centers you can. they are likely to have more openings (typically 6 infants per "class") than a home care (typically only allowed 2 infants). if you have a place that you really like, get on teh waiting list! and in the meantime, take him to whatever place can get you in. BUT whatever you do - take PJ with you when you go to visit... babies are very intuitive and he will let you know if he likes it there or not... also another baby in spring/early summer?!!?? are you CRAZY?!?!? i mean... yay!!! good for you! :) it will all work out! :)

SMS said...

Jenn,

Some good advice from your friends. I would also recommend staying on the waiting lists for the daycare's you like best and work out what you can in the meantime. Even after you get into a daycare remain on the list of the others in-case you decide you need to change for some reason.
Jen had some very good advice above.

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