A New Balance
I’m starting my program full-time in just two weeks and Cakes is going to be cared for by someone other than family for the very first time. She’ll be going to preschool three days per week.
I thought this big transition would be a source of more blog fodder (and maybe it still will), but to be honest, I’m not very torn up about it.
I love the preschool we chose. It’s new and bright and spacious. Cakes thrives in a routine, and loves to be with other children, especially older ones (she’s going to skip the toddler room and go right to pre-school rather than have to move in a few months). It’s family run and we really like the lady in charge.
I think it will be good for her on so many levels. I truly think it will help her speech development being around other kids so much (they’ll force her to use her words to be understood). She’s starting to love arts and crafts and I’m just not very creative when it comes to that stuff. They make their own food there, and I’m pretty certain it will be better than what I make (I sure hope so). I think she needs more than I can give her and I hope she’ll get it there.
I also think this is going to be very good for me. I don’t think I could handle another winter of full-time parenting. It’s one thing during the summer when you can be at a different park every day, but keeping your toddler (and yourself) amused indoors all winter is a challenge indeed. I admire SAHMs and childcare providers so much, they have the toughest job in the world.
I’m so thankful I’ve been able to stay home with her this long. I’m also thankful we can have this time apart now (the research I’m doing will pay for her preschool—I’m not sure how we would have swung it otherwise). Neither of us is ready for her to be in full-time childcare yet, so I hope this arrangement will give me enough time to do my work, and still spend lots of time goofing off with my gal.
I hope we’ve found a balance that will work for both of us.
Labels: on motherhood
posted by metro mama @ 12:15 PM
22 Comments:
Hi Julie,
I get you about not being torn up about it: I'm feeling similar about it (both for my benefit and Elliot's) and if I had something immediately pressing would jump into a similar arrangement.
I'm sure it will go well. And the part time scenario could be ideal. And absence will most likely make the hearts grow fonder so you'll probably have more "quality time." (Oh ya, they're 2 though, aren't they, so quality can be a relative term :)
Hope to bump into you in the park again soon,
Emily
(anon. b/c I forgot my google password)
It sounds like it will be great. I'm sure you and Cakes will each enjoy the solo time.
PS: When I got home from BlogHer, I swear I added you to my Bloglines...well today I was thinking, "Metro hasn't posted anything new since BlogHer?" and I checked Bloglines and there you WEREN'T. So I've been missing out. But all is well now. :) You are present and accounted for in my lines.
you know, it's going to be so terrific for her. i agonized putting M in care and while i had to do it sooner than you i have seen many benefits = the learning i wasn't providing her, the ability to come more fully into her own, and to have relationships that existed apart from me, ones that are already so important to her and her growth.
you are such a terrific mom, Met. you have the balance Cakes needs to more fully understand the world.
We hadn't been hugely torn up either about putting Scooter into daycare. And we did that at 18 months. We've always had him in places we trusted and he generally loved. The one time we've reconsidered is recently as we're dealing with the possibility of autism. But he's in a center where they're working with us on a lot of things and are flexible with his schedule so we can fit in therapy and appointments.
Daycare has been essential to us, not just because of work schedules--we actually could swing splitting up care between the two of us--but because of all the little things you mentioned.
I was so torn about putting my daughter in daycare. It was so hard for me to leave her with anyone bc I am such a control freak. I knew though that she would gain so much from the environment and I would regain my sanity. SAHMing is not for me. When I worked part-time it was the best of both worlds. I hope, and really think, it will be the same for you.
You must be so excited to start, though I suppose you really already started this summer.
Part time sounds ideal. If I never had to worry about funds or retirement or benefits, I'd probably do it that way, too. It's a nice mix for both of you.
shes gonna love it as are you.
balance is such a fine and delicate thing, so hard to achieve.
can hardly wait to have her spit on me again. snort.
Sounds great! I LOVE working part-time, and once I found a good daycare, I also wasn't torn up about it.
Sounds like a wonderful plan! I am going back to work myself, part time, and am not really torn up that much...although I know it will be hard for the boys. My older one is going to a wonderful preschool, and we have good care here at home.
That sounds perfectly wonderful. Cakes is going to love it! I don't doubt that blog fodder will follow.
Good for you. Everyone should find a balance that works for them, you are very fortunate that you have found yours.
For now I am content being home full time but I know that eventually I want to work again, and I will make sure that happens when the time is right for me.
I think there are a lot of us with kids this age who are reaching that point where enough is enough - the kid has to go to school or something. That makes the transition easier for us, certainly, and for them. And the place you've picked for Cakes sounds perfect! Lucky Cakes, she'll have a great time.
It sounds like you've found a wonderful situation, that will suit both you and Cakes. I'm going to try and do one more year at home, and then I'd really like to find a happy medium like this. Good for you for finding a fantastic situation that works for you!
Yes, we SAHMs have the toughest job in the world.
Ahem.
I really enjoy the time off while Cordy's in school. And honestly, when they hit 2 or 3 they want to start meeting and playing with kids more than boring ol' mom. It's a win-win.
Hope everything goes well. It'll probably be a hard first couple of weeks, but then it gets better.
Well, you know I'm back at work, and I think it's the best for both the Boy AND for me too. I would prefer slightly more time at home, though, and that's what you have.
I found that in daycare/preschool, his language really took off for the first time. It is totally because they see others getting what they want by using their words.
She will love it and trust me, you have found your balance. Good going momma.
She will love it, and you will LOVE it.
And there'll still be plenty o' time for zoo playdates ;)
I find being home during the SUMMER the hardest. There's nothing like a houseful of bored kids with nowhere to go to make me think musingly about getting a job at the grocery store. IN the winter, though, I'm just as happy to stay home and hibernate.
It sounds like you have a great combination that will work well for you. Good luck in the research and for her at preschool!
I think you have found that balance -- it's an exciting time for both of you, and I think you'll slide into new routines rather effortlessly. At least, I hope so. :)
we are in the same boat.
really looking forward to pre-school for both of us.
I am also not nearly as emotional as I thought I would be..then again...talk to me in a couple of weeks when it comes time to drop her off on her first day.
sniff sniff...
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