Cooper started a new daycare in August. Yes, that makes three daycares/providers in 8 months. (Also, he’s 8 months and I haven’t gotten around to a Dear Cooper post… add that to the to-do list.)
He started off at The Sunshine House, a big daycare, when he was 3 months old. I really wasn’t happy with him there. I didn’t feel like he got the one on one attention he needed, and he was sick all the time. They propped the babies up with bottles, which is actually against DHEC regulations. They did that right in front of me, so what were they doing when I wasn’t around? I just felt like Cooper was likely sitting in a bouncy all day, only getting picked up to eat or be changed.
I started searching for an in-home provider, and someone contacted me about a fellow Navy wife who wanted to start keeping one or two kids in her home. Jason and I interviewed her and Cooper started in July. There were some major concerns (like her taking him somewhere in her car without telling me/asking me first) but Cooper loved her children and seemed very happy there. Then, in August, Jason went to drop Cooper off and she told him she couldn’t keep him anymore because she was divorcing her husband and moving back to her hometown. This was Monday, and we left Wednesday for vacation. I had ONE day to find him somewhere new.
I contacted several people through Sitter City about in-home daycares. The responses were ridiculous. One person wanted $500 a week, and another wanted $375 a week. Let me tell you… if I had $2000 to spend on daycare every month, I wouldn’t choose to work. I’m a social worker who works for a non-profit…. that’s about what a take home each month. Um, no thank you.
We toured several daycares and settled on a small, family owned daycare. They just happened to have an opening because one of the babies was moving up to the toddler room. There are 5 babies total, and Cooper is the youngest. When I was on bed rest, my mom and Jason actually toured this daycare and loved it but they had no openings at the time. It’s clean, affordable, and I feel like Cooper is safe and well attended to there.
Cooper’s been going there since late August, and things are going so well. He gets so excited when I drop him off in the morning, and they lavish him with kisses and hugs when I pick him up. He just seems so happy every day, and that’s the most I can hope for when I’m away from him. The transition has been a little rough. He was taking a morning and afternoon nap, and the daycare has one long afternoon nap, so he is super tired and cranky when I pick him up in the afternoons.
I envy you SAHMs so much. I’m thankful to have a job because we rely on my income, but in a perfect world I would be able to stay at home with my baby.
13 comments:
Hope the new daycare works out. We were on our third by the time my son was 8 months old. Sigh.
I have always had to work.
Now I am looking for a job b/c my company closed in April.
Luckily I get unemployment!
I agree. I wish I could stay home too, but there's no way we would be able to make it.
I can't believe Cooper is 8 months! It seems like you just had him yesterday!
In a perfect world we would never have this conversation! As long as you feel good with him there and you feel they love him like you would, he will be just fine!
Come by when you get a free hand...
The third times the charm - I hope Cooper gets to stay in this daycare a good long time!
Hope all works out well! I so remember doing this same thing and having the same issues. Best wishes!!
I hope this one works out. It does sound like a better situation for him, except for the nap/being so tired part. I'm sure in time he'll adjust though. The important thing is just that he's happy.
Sounds like things are looking up! I'm scared to have a baby simply b/c we can't afford daycare. 300 a week, YIKES!!!
Being a SAHM is most definitely my biggest blessing!
It sounds like things are going smooth now so I will pray for that to continue! If you lives closer my parents would watch him. They love babies and have one almost all the time. They watch them until they're too heavy for my Mom to lift or they start pre-school. They're like a Nana & Papa for rent!
Good luck with this daycare! If Cooper seems happy then I'm sure it is a good fit :)
That has been a rough road but I am glad you found a good daycare!
I'm glad you have a great place to take him! And how could you not love on that sweet face!! :)
This post breaks my heart in so many ways.
I can NOT imagine having to take my baby to strangers and HOPE that they're taking care of him how I want. And the COST. Terrifying.
I'm sorry you have to do that. I'm sorry that you've had to move him 3 times. I hate that. But I'm relieved to hear that you've found somewhere that feels safe, and that he seems to be loved on.
I watch my sisters daughter, and have for 4 years now. Reading your post, I understand even more why she has always been so grateful and happy to have me. And she pays me 500 a MONTH.
Anyway....I hope that things continue to go well with this provider.
I was fortunate to find a daycare after staying home for 12 weeks with my little man. We don't know anyone many people here and home daycares freak me out. I dont know who is coming or going in a private house. We found one that was relatively less expensive (and by that I mean $245 a week for 4 days) but he is super happy there and they love him. I got to tell you that MOST daycares will only pick up your kid when needed. Sorry but it is the truth, they don't want kids to get used to being held all the time.
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