Changes, Changes

Well folks, times are a changing! It's time for Mama TT to return to work so Tilly has started day care this week. We're starting slow - just two hours each day (10 am - noon). Yesterday was her first day and she did great. I didn't do so well. Even though I love our day care and the ladies in the baby room, I broke down and cried when I had to drop her off. Of course, she looked right at me and cried as I left! I hid out of sight and she stopped crying in about one minute. She ate, slept and played in those two hours and came home exhausted (see below).

Next week I start work and we'll extend her time to all morning (I'll work from home in the afternoons). After Labor Day she'll go all day like Tigger! Such a big girl...

This is also a transition week for Tigger. He's moving to the older toddler room. He too goes to his new room from 10 am to noon this week (then switches permanently next week). Yesterday didn't go so well. He was doing great but saw me when I picked up Tilly at noon. He apparently was so upset he had to go back to his old teacher to calm down:( Today I snuck Tilly in and out very stealth-like; he didn't see me and did great in his new classroom. Though it's a bit sad to see him grow up, Papa TT and I really like his new room. His new teacher has already talked to us about potty training (cue angels singing)!!

Easter Seals!

Mama Tigger and I took a look at an Easter Seals childcare center last Friday. We think we found the place to take care of Tigger, and the waiting list is only 6 months!

It seems that the further you get from downtown, the easier it is to get in to places. Fortunately for us, Easter Seals is only 5 blocks from our house! Convenience - check.

They cater to both typical and special needs children, careful to keep classrooms mixed to ensure all are able to learn from each other. Unique opportunity for Tigger to learn something not all kids get to experience - check.

We learned about NAEYC accreditation from my friend Wendy. Easter Seals happens to be the first and only place we visited that is accredited. They have a few standards that can only help in creating a good environment. Higher standards than your average childcare center - check.

And the clincher for me - everything in the place is bilingual. Anywhere something is posted, written, etc., it is in both English and Spanish. The center is north of our house, which is a predominantly Hispanic area. Many of the families speak only Spanish. Exposure to another language & culture - check!

So, we are on the list. It's interesting how we have heard very little about this place - none of the folks we have spoken with about daycare in the city mentioned it, no mentions on the message boards. More due diligence is needed, but I think both Mama Tigger and I feel like the search is over... Yeah!

Daycares are tough, and it's just the beginning...

Here we are, just over 7 weeks, and local day cares are already full! We visited Huckleberry Cheesecake on Friday, and learned of their 14 month waiting list! This is apparently typical for the area. How the...??? Oh, and did we mention the cost? Crazy world we are about to enter... I'm scared not of what traditionally rattles parents-to-be, but of the economy that has become of parenting.

Of to find more daycare options - maybe something with a 12 month waiting list???