Daycare is a blessing, not the enemy

Friday, Abigail's daycare had a "Family Barbacaue" Yes, I spelled barbecue incorrectly there, on purpose. Because daycare had about 10 signs all over the place inviting parents to the "Family Barbacaue" and I thought it was somewhat charming that they mis-spelled it! Ha! 90% of the employees, including the director at daycare are minorities, with English as their 2nd language. So it makes sense, they don't always have the correct grammar. However, I feel that we truly lucked out with Abby's daycare. It's not a chain daycare center, it's large enough for Abigail to have playmates, but not so big that the personal touch is taken out of it. WA state requires a 4:1 ratio of babies to teacher for infants...our daycare has a limit of 3:1. And they take such good care of little Abigail! When she started daycare, she was only 10 weeks old. Sigh...she was so tiny & new. We originally chose this daycare when I was pregnant, based on it being 5 minutes from our house, their policies, and I'll admit it...price. But then, that first day dropping her off, I had doubts, what if we made the wrong choice? By the end of the 1st week, those worries were gone. Ms. Susan, her daycare teacher was there with her all day, every day, nurturing, singing, feeding...taking care of Abigail just as I would. Of course I would rather be home with my baby, but I"m so grateful that Abigail has a happy life even though I can't be there for all of it.

I think sometimes I'm so focused on how bad it is that I can't be with Abigail during the day, I forget that she really doesn't mind. I'm stuck in this bad place of guilt about how I have to work & Abigail is missing her mommy. But on Friday, when attending the BBQ I had a realization...these ladies that care for Abigail LOVE her. They take such good care of her that she doesn't even miss me, she has fun playing with her baby friends - she's developing social skills which she'd be lacking if she was stuck home with me all the time. And really, it's not that bad. I've heard so many horror stories from daycare centers who treat children badly, or neglect them. Our daycare is so good! Abigail is always clean, fed, cared for...I never have to worry if they're taking good care of her. And that is the only reason I feel OK about going to work each day. I know Ms. Susan loves her, and when Abigail drools a little too much & her shirt gets wet, Ms. Susan will change her clothes. When Abigail is a bit fussy, Ms. Susan will rock her & sing to her, and rub her back. I'm so incredibly thankful to these ladies (Ms. Susan has a couple helpers - Abigail seems to love them all!) for all that they do.

Here are some photos from the BBQ on Friday. It was Abigail's 1st time playing at a park. She loved it - she really could care less about the slide, but she was really excited about eating bark! Pardon the blurry photos - my husband is the worst picture taker, ever!

(Yes, I'm wearing a sweater & Abigail is wearing a winter hat...because even in August, Seattle weather is kind of chilly - boo!)