Daycare Drama

I waited until the absolute last minute to go pick out a day care. I think I was in denial that I was actually going to have to take Madelyn to one, so in my mind if I just postponed the activity it wouldn't happen. Unfortunately yesterday I realized I better get my act together or I'd have to take her to work with me when I go back on the 20th (realistically, this idea didn't sound so bad! Not sure my bosses would agree...)

So yesterday morning we ventured out to a daycare called Discovery Point which was recommended by a friend. It's brand new, very close to our house, a natural choice. Halfway through the tour I started crying (little did I know this would only be the first of many times I would cry on this day), but luckily it was hidden by my unnecessarily large but very stylish sunglasses. I saw these women that I don't know anything about, playing with these children that for all I know they could care less about, and I realized they could never care for my Madelyn to a standard I would find adequate. Yes they have a low student/teacher ratio, yes it was clean, yes they have an excellent curriculum, but these women could have just started here after being baggers at Publix for all I know. Let the waterworks begin. We got in the car, I had a major emotional meltdown, and we forged on to daycare number two.

I looked at SIX daycares yesterday. At one I was told they had a 6:1 student/teacher ratio, to which my response was "I'm sorry, I thought you just said six, I must have misheard you". Nope. Six babies to one woman. I don't think so. At daycare number four their idea of a curriculum was laying the children on the floor and blowing bubbles. Next. One was old and dirty but I loved the director. If only I could transplant her to daycare number one. Is it so much to ask that my daughter be watched by an enthusiastic, competent, CPR-certified, nurturing women with a high IQ and professional sense about them? I came home, cried, called my mom, cried, held Madelyn while she napped, cried, and then took some advil because I had a headache from crying so much. After talking to a friend who's son attends daycare number 1 we've decided they are the lucky winner. They are by far the best facility around (I would know, I saw them ALL), and I feel confident that Madelyn's basic needs will be met, and she'll be stimulated as much as you can do so with a two month old. Next week I'm going to drop her off on Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6 so I can attend dentist and hair appointments, and so I can try to tame the waterworks when I go back to work on Monday, July 20. More importantly, I'll be packing concealer and waterproof mascara for my drive to work that day. Everyone said this would be hard, but I don't recall anyone using the adjective "gut-wrenching" which is how I would most appropriately describe it.

That being said, I'm actually very excited to go back to work. If I could just bring her with me, the world would be a perfect place.