The Hunt for Daycare

I have been stalling to find a source for daycare. RT really doesn't want to put her in one. Right now it's working out that when I go to work, he can watch her. I'm just not able to get anything done at work, and I feel like the continuity isn't there. I'm always feeling rushed and fear that someday I may forget something really important. (I often remind myself to slow down because I remember a while ago I saw an episode on Oprah about a woman who was so busy with work, she left her little girl in the back seat of her car while she went to work. The little girl remained in the car the entire day with all the windows rolled up. The outcome was horrible.)

Anyhow, the furlough Fridays are supposed to be lifted and it's just too much to have RT watch her and also rush to work when we switch off. So, the hunt begins.

I signed up on this local mommies network and started chatting with one of the moderators. She looked great on paper: a teacher, kids of her own, older mom, CPR certified, and so on. RT and I met with her and her kids one day. It was a great meeting. She was very personable and likable. There were a couple of things that weren't kosher with us. First of all, she said that she was pretty active with this mommies network, so she will take her kids to play dates, which translates to Little P being dragged to these play dates. The other concern was that she would be driving with Little P. We don't know anything about her driving record--is she a space cadet when she's driving around with kids? Is she a distracted driver? Talk on the cell phone?

We decided to set up another meeting at her house.

A few weeks go by and Little P and I go to her house. The night before, looked up her address on Google and saw a picture of the house. My first impressions were not that great. There were toys scattered all over the front yard (which maybe that is what you do when you have kids, but RT and I have never "liked" that look for a house). At least the front yard was fenced in. I had some weird dreams about this meeting--not very comforting.

I got there and the front door was open. I could hear the kids. I met the husband who seemed indifferent about the whole childcare situation. He was making breakfast. She gave me a tour of her house. I don't know about you, but if were having prospective clients come to your house to check it out, wouldn't you clean it!!! The place did not feel clean at all. I kept thinking, "Do I want Little P to crawl all over this floor?"

Her kids were a little distracting while we were trying to talk. Still, she was very nice and polite as were her kids. I went home not feeling really confident about this entire situation.

I replayed the visit on the drive home. Again, that concern of her driving around for play dates was still nagging at me. I also thought that she wouldn't be as dedicated or focused on my child if her children were there--they are her number one priority, as should be. She was also taking her kids to preschool, and those times were also when Little P would be with her, so more driving involved. And lastly, I couldn't get over the toys in the front yard and the not-so-clean feeling.

I started looking for another option. I called a few places and found a very pleasant woman who is licensed and specializes in caring for newborns and infants. Bingo!

RT and I met with her a couple days later. She had wonderful references! I also like the fact that she will be with a couple other babies. This lady will not be leaving the house. Her only priorities during the day are the babies. I never had a nagging feeling during our initial meeting with her or afterwards. Little P will start in a couple of weeks. While daycare is not the ideal situation, it is the best option for us right now. I do have mixed feelings about it and hate that I will not be with her, yet it will be a good balance for me mentally to have time away for myself even though it will be work. We'll see how it goes.