Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to go back to work. *Love* my job, *love* my boss and co-workers. But then there's Lily...
Lily will be going to Daycare in a house very close to ours. She will be cared for in a strange house with strange kids and a strange caretaker. A stranger is going to take care of MY baby. Don't we raise our kids to fear strangers? And yet we are perfectly fine to pay them to watch our children?
We visited Daycare Lady for the first time this Tuesday. She was nice, the room was nice, nice backyard, nice house. nice. nice. nice. But when we left the house and got in the car, we both felt like barfing. We're big on vibes, Jay and I - and we have no qualms leaving a town, restaurant, house, party - you name it we've left it - if we be feelin the bad voodoo vibes. But we didn't know if it was bad vibes or the fact that Daycare Lady is a Bloody STRANGER.
How will Daycare Lady know that she likes to stand up when she eats, that she lights up when she sits on the grass, that her favourite song is Eensy weensy spider*? How will Daycare lady not get frustrated when Lily spends an hour in downward dog position, taking in the world from upsidedown - instead of napping? How will Daycare Lady know that she's crying in the afternoon because she's bored and wants to see the world from her stroller. And will Daycare Lady care?I wish for her sake and our family that I was one of those women who was perfectly satiated by grocery shopping and trips to Walmart and playdates - but I'm not. I also wish that I could bring home the bacon and Jay, who is secretly domestic and Mr. Mom, could stay at home with her - but I can't. Archaeology, while one of the 3 loves of my life** does NOT pay the bills and never will.
So I guess, for now, I will put ALL of my trust into Daycare Lady, my strange Care Taker. And hope with everything that she'll learn to relish in Lily's quirkiness, curiosity and love of life, food and smiles.
And if Daycare Lady witnesses her first steps, first words, or first anythings, I don't want to know about it. As far as I'm concerned, all 'firsts' will happen in the family...
L
*sometimes 'My Little Buttercup' from Three Amigos- depending on her mood
** not including Old Dutch Salt n' Vinegar Chips
