Daycare Updates

Thank you for all your comments and emails when I was feeling like a big fat liar yesterday.  As usual, I made a mountain out of a molehill.  Rylie either forgot all about me telling her that I would play with her outside, or she just didn't care.  When I picked her up from school I told her how sorry I was that I didn't get to stay and play with her and she was like "um, ok, whatever".  I still felt bad, though, so on the way home I told her that if we got done with dinner quick enough we could go swimming.  So after dinner she says "come on Daddy, let's go swing!"  I was a little bummed that she didn't even remember the swimming thing (which really surprised me), but so happy that I didn't have to beat myself up any longer!

I have received some emails over the last week or so asking how the daycare situation was going after the whole separation anxiety debacle, so I felt like I should give an update here.  Things are definitely better.  After all of that happened, I had a long talk with the center director.  I made it clear that I did not want Rylie isolated if she was crying after I left in the morning.  To my knowledge, it has not happened again.  One of her teachers usually takes her over to the other classroom to feed the fish if she starts crying.  That usually works the best.  If there are too many children, though, for a teacher to leave for a minute, someone always comforts her.  She still has good days and bad days, but at least on the bad days I don't have to leave thinking someone is going to be mean to her.  And by "mean" I mean in her eyes, since I honestly don't think anyone there is ever intentionally mean to those kids.

So we're staying put.  At least for now.  I don't think there is a perfect daycare out there, and when it all comes down to it, I really do like the daycare we are at.  Here are some reasons why:

1. The ladies that work there genuinely love my kids.  Rylie has always been a "teacher's pet" of sorts since day one.  She does get some special treatment in some ways, and I feel really blessed that there are so many other people that love Rylie the way they do there.  She has "chocolate Friday" with Ms. C, Ms. D always makes sure she gets graham crackers when she leaves for the day (even if she has to go in the kitchen and get them), and Ms J. and Ms. S fight over who her best friend is.  And Bryce...well they just all want to take him home with them!

2. Rylie's teacher is a saint.  I'm not even kidding.  I cannot thank Ms. B enough for all she has done with Rylie!  I have to give her most of the credit for potty training her.  She really made it easy for us.  She teaches those kids so much and I can tell she really loves her job.  I have NEVER seen her frustrated, even when that place gets crazy like it sometimes does.  She ALWAYS has a smile on her face.  She is always willing to talk to me and really listens to anything I have to say.  The other day when I was there for "family day", she pulled out Rylie's file and showed me a huge stack of index cards on which she had been writing down different things that Rylie said and did.  She doesn't have to do that, but I am grateful that she does.

3. I feel comfortable leaving my kids there every day.  I have been there for well over two years now, and for the most part, I know how the place operates.  I know my kids are 100% safe there.  I know that they are being stimulated and educated at the level I feel they should be.  The rules are reasonable and not crazy strict like that other place I looked at.  And for the most part, I think the kids are comfortable there...even Rylie.  That has been her "other family" for most of her life now, and I do think she knows how much she is cared about.

4. The center cares about the families.  I mean, why else would they try to get a group of two year olds together to try to sing a song for the Spring Gala?  They are always having meals for us, or little programs like that, and even the "family day" thing they tried this week.  They really want to get us involved and I think that is great!

5. And even though I didn't mention every teacher, I think they are all wonderful! They all have their strong points and I am grateful to every single one of them for everything they do with, and for, my kids.  I respect each and every one of those women, because I don't think I could do that job.

So that's that.  I feel like I'm rambling now (probably due to the fact that I can barely keep my eyes open), but I hope I made my point.  I know we will still have issues arise at times, but when it all boils down to it, I really do like it there.  And so do my kids.  And as long as I can continue to make suggestions, and my suggestions are listened to and responded to, that is all I can really ask for.  I told the center director tonight that she is stuck with me, and all of my complaining, and she just smiled and said "and that is just fine".