No, it hasn’t been THAT long since I posted! Ben hasn’t actually started school. Ben went to daycare yesterday for the first time. We were blessed to have Tim’s mom stay with us from January-June this year to help us out. It was WONDERFUL to keep Ben and home when he was so small. I was able to go back to work without the worry of bundling up an 11-week old and taking him out in the cold… But alas, Ann had to go back to her own life and this fall, Ben will go to daycare while we are at work.
Because of where Tim and I live and work, there is only one daycare center that would work well. Luckily, it is a great place and I love it! Unfortunately, there are only 8 infant ”spots” and they are hard to come by. Long story short: we have to pay all summer to keep our “spot.” Since we are paying for it anyway, we decided to take Ben once a week to get him used to going. As it turns out, *I* am the one who needs to get used to it!
Ben went for about 6 hours yesterday while I went to the dentist, did some grocery shopping, and cleaned part of the carpet. I didn’t cry, but I was a nervous wreck dropping him off. He did fine. I resisted the urge to call and check on him, but when I picked him up, they said they were surprised I didn’t call. I didn’t want to seem too “overprotective.” They keep track of his naps, feedings and diaper changes on a little sheet and give it to you when you pick him up, which is kind of nice. He did great! He even took 2 short naps. I got a “gold star” from the daycare teachers for labeling everything with his name.
Even though it will be hard financially to pay for day care all summer, there is something to be said for getting used to taking him BEFORE I have to worry about going back to work. If I had been working yesterday I would have been even more of a wreck. Plus, HE will get used to it. And, I can plan my errands and chores so that I don’t have to have him with me when I do things like grocery shop and clean the carpet!
June 25, 2008 at 9:05 am
I am so thankful for this post, Laura. Jon and I will very likely be facing the same daycare worries in just a few short months. It’s good to know that Ben did just fine (and you did pretty well, too) and that you feel good about the place. I’m sure with each day that passes, you and Ben will do even better! And heck, yeah – if you have to pay all summer, take advantage of it when you need to.
June 25, 2008 at 10:38 am
oh yeah, having that extra time to run errands while my girls are at daycare is great. If you’re paying for it, take advantage of it.
June 25, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I know how hard that must be, Laura. I have a hard time leaving my guys sometimes and the most wonderful woman in the world, my mother, is the one who watches them. But, you will get used to it and so will little Ben. My neighbor who is also a teacher and has to pay for daycare all summer takes her boys once or twice a week too just so they don’t get out of the habit of going and so she can run errands, clean the house, etc. I will tell you this…it’s a lot easier after the second baby. You almost feel like, “Hey his brother’s there with him…it’s ok.” Hope everything gets easier for you!