Daycare dilemma's... Finding the right second home for your children

This post was too good to not post again. My friend Laura atConfessions of a diet coke addict ran a spotlight on working moms, this was my guest post. But I decided to run it here as well since I liked the way it turned out. I hope you enjoy!


Daycare dilemmas... many working moms deal with this. The lucky ones save time and anxiety if they are fortunate enough to have family to watch their precious children. I was a Stay at home mom, but for financial reasons I decided to go back to work about a year ago. So, daycare... I never thought much about it, never thought I would have to go back to work... but they day came and now it was time to search for a place that my boys would call their second home. (I am lucky my in-laws watch them 2 days a week)

First stop... An inexpensive but slightly chaotic SAHM daycare. While I enjoyed the activity and proximity to the park, I decided the runny noses on every kid at the daycare was something I could not handle. Well, actually...it wasn't the runny noses, it was the fact that the daycare providers did not seem to notice or wipe them,... Can we say EWWW?

Second stop... Pre-school environment mom and dad. They were very serious about it all, they seemed nice but a bit too rigid for me. I think maybe this:
Blanket made them want to go "EWWWW", I was told that Jack's blanket AKA "Dee Dee" could stay at home I was leaning towards leaving but when they stopped before the massive picture of Jesus in the foyer and went on about "like minded people" I knew that it was not the right place for us.

Third... Montessori... brings up visions of children playing, laughing, learning all in a cookie cutter perfect "trendy and acceptable" manner. I liked the idea of it, and I liked the atmosphere (even if it was a bit too earnest in a way) but the price tag made me stop in my tracks. 1/4 more per child was not right for our budget.

Fourth... Another SAHM of two girls. When I walked in her house I knew it was a good fit. Yes, they probably watch more TV than they need too, but Casey was sweet, kind, calm and NORMAL! I knew it wouldn't be a huge learning experience for them, at least in the book sense... but it would be a way for them to learn to play with others and get along with many different types of personalities. At last... a second home!

Now they have been there a year. Yes, of course they do not want to leave mommy and they make me feel guilty when they grab my legs and tell me "Don't go mama" but as soon as I leave, I look in the glass door and I see them smiling, laughing and playing! They talk about Casey and they say they love her. So although I work and I leave my children in daycare, I am happy to know that I am raising happy, healthy, well adjusted kids...with a little help from my wonderful daycare provider, Casey!