Not so bad. Why did I waste the entire summer stressing that I was going to ruin my child for life? Just goes to show you that anticipation is often worse than the actual event.
You probably couldn't pay me any amount of money to relive last week. That was, hands down, one of the hardest things I have ever done. This week has been so much better. We are not all the way adjusted yet, but making daily progress.
I would roll my eyes when people would suggest that Eliza may actually like daycare and (gasp) it might be good for her. I really think she's starting to like it. Separation anxiety is getting much better (at school and at home). She only cries for a couple of minutes after I leave now. I've been going to get her right after nap time and she is usually crying when I get there. I can guarantee that the tears are because she is still tired and is still learning to nap at daycare.
Her teachers are some of the nicest girls I have ever met. I wish I could spend the day hanging out with them. They do art time, snack time, story time and they play outside every day. Today they had cupcakes for a morning treat to celebrate a birthday. What fun!
I have been sending my spies (co-workers) to the daycare to check on Eliza. The ladies at my office often go to the main building where the daycare is located to get the mail or take a break. While they are there they will pop their heads into daycare and peek at Eliza. Today they observed the cupcake eating and said Eliza was as happy as can be. Phew.
Me? I'm fine if Eliza is fine. Admittedly, single parenting can be exhausting and this summer was no exception. It feels good to get a little break here and there. Who would have ever thought that work would be a break?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 comments:
I've so appreciated your daycare posts. I know this day will come for me as well. I wish I could be a SAHM ....but then who'd pay the mortgage, right? LOL!
I'm glad to see she's adjusting so quickly. I've been debating about whether to do private in home care or daycare center. Alison gave me some good advice about the pros of organized daycare. She said Mali really flourishes. So I'll keep up with Eliza and see how well she does. Maybe I'll go that route also. Thanks Tiff.
(Oh .. in case you don't recognize my new identity... this is the person formerly known as Krista. wink)
Ahhh...so glad things have turned the corner for you two.
I'll be doing the daycare route so I'll be looking back and saying: "It will be better after that first week"!
I wouldn't accept any amount to relive the first week, either . . . the screaming, the heartbreak, the guilt - it's ugly.
Daycare did wonders for our separation anxiety - in all aspects. Mali is one well-adjusted kid now, and I think I owe a lot of that to the whole daycare situation. She loves school now (& so do I).
Who would've thought that work would be a break? LOL I completely agree!
It's great to hear how well Eliza is doing in daycare. I'm sure your post will come to mind someday when I have to put Hannah in daycare. Thanks for sharing this part of the journey with us.
Big pat on the back to both Mommy and Eliza for doing so well with daycare.
Not that I'm counting or anything but only 21 days!!!
Glad things are still going well. In fact, getting better! She's a cute girl with a great personality. She will have lots of friends, but mama will always be number 1!
Tiffany, I'm so glad the first week is over for you. Sounds like Eliza is doing swimmingly -- and it can only get easier from here.
Like you, I was practically hysterical with worry when I had to go back to work and put Emma in her first daycare. But it worked itself out. Now Emma is happy to go to school, but more happy when mommy picks her up -- that's the best of both worlds!
Glad things are going much better! Nice to know also that she is having fun when you are not watching!!
Thank you so much for posting this! I am waiting to bring my first child home from China (LOI 8/22) and my second will join us in March, I plan on taking off a long family leave. But I am a single mom, too, and eventually I will have to return. This really made me feel better, even though it's not something I have to deal with right now, I am already worried about it.
Lilly
I can so relate to what you went through! I didn't understand people shaying that it could be good for them either but a few months into it I could really see how helpful it's been for Abbey's development. Somehow it was harder going back after summer than the first time I had to start back to work in January. All that bonding. But I also understand what you mean about work sometimes being a break too. Glad you are over the bumpiest part and that Eliza is easing into things.
great post. I am so glad it has not turned into months of hell for you. keep the updates, i love it.
I'm so glad you are both adjusting! Soon Eliza will be asking you for a "Care ride to school" like Sydney did this morning. How is Beau?
Post a Comment