Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

As the type of person who has always been very involved and invested in everything I have done, I am constantly struggling with how best to balance my involvement in Rory and Charlotte’s daycare. Perhaps it is my type-A personality or my inability to rest on my laurels. Whatever the reason, I am constantly focused on ways to improve my own surroundings by proactive involvement.

But the problem is that with two kids, a full-time job, and a general lack of sleep, I am hard pressed to find enough hours in the day to take on new and additional causes. Yes, that may sound like an excuse, but given the demands of the legal profession, I truly do not know where I would find the time.

That being said, a number of issues have arisen lately which lead me to think I ought to be better involving myself with our daycare. The board has vacancies, the search committee for a new director is (in my opinion) in dire need of leadership and vision. We sat through a lengthy parent meeting this week which I left feeling wholly unimpressed.

My first instinct in such situations is to raise my hand, take on the responsibility, and try as I may to fix it. But then the other half of me thinks that my limited time might be better spent doing my research into an alternative pre-school/childcare center. I am trying to take my time and make a rational decision — as opposed to simply just jumping in to try to solve it.

Wish me luck.

The program at which Haley will be attending pre-kindergarten is brand new. We haven’t gotten much information about it so naturally we’re anxious and curious about how the year will go. Fortunately, we’re not alone. A group of parents in the same boat got in touch a few weeks ago, and a few of us met over the weekend.

It was great getting Haley together with some kids who might be in her class. Immediately after playing with one of the other girls for a few minutes, Haley announced in classic Haley fashion: “Maddy is my best friend.” It’s great that she’ll see familiar faces when starting school, even if everything else about it is rather unfamiliar.

I think I enjoyed the get-together even more that Haley did. It was great to meet like-minded parents who had the same level of interest in their children’s education. Most of the families are in the same school zone as we are, so these are faces we might be seeing regularly for years to come. It’s weird and invigorating. Having kids that were only baby/toddler age had been sort of isolating for me.

Sure, I would meet nice moms in the neighborhood here and there, but no one I felt bonded to, and I think the lack of structured unity is the reason why. Some families we met through preschool and other classes were great, but it just wasn’t that many hours together. With kids as full-time classmates spending so many hours a week together, it seems like there’s a shift. School is such a big part of a family’s life; it’s only natural that that’s when and where strong bonds are formed.

I’m truly looking forward to the school years ahead. It may be a bumpy ride, but at least there will be commiseration. And who knows, maybe we’ll all make some lifelong friends.

Rory and Charlotte’s daycare is undergoing yet another changing of the guard. His center is undertaking the third executive director search in just under two years. And I’m not positive what to make of it.

As I’ve commented on here in the past, we’ve had our frustrations with Rory’s center, but, on the whole, have been quite satisfied with the care and teaching Rory receives there. Charlotte seems to be thriving, as well. And they both clearly like being together each day. Their teachers love regaling us with tales of visits to the other’s classroom, and they clearly enjoy being dropped off and picked up together.

As I’ve lamented before, each time we experience a staffing change, I find myself somewhat disconcerted. I tend to wonder whether there is something “wrong” that I should have been able to discern in my lengthy childcare research when Rory was only a few months old. I experience overwhelming mommy guilt at the thought that he may not be in the best possible place day in and day out.

The center is hosting a parent meeting to discuss the turnover and I look forward to receiving more information. I am also ramping up my own efforts to visit and review other possible daycare and preschool options in hopes of feeling as though I have truly surveyed all available options. I highly doubt we’ll be making any immediate changes, but gathering information now at least helps inform just how frustrated I should be by the current situation. Hopefully it’s not too much.