Preschool Confidential

A few weeks ago as I was approaching Hannah's preschool playground I heard some crying. As I got closer, I recognized the crying and saw my daughter with one of her best friends and a teacher close to one of the trees. Part of me wanted to run to Hannah, but another part of me wanted to stay back and watch the situation unfold to see what happens when I'm not there.

I decided on the later, and my appreciation for her centre - and the amazing people who take care of her - improved even more, which to be honest I never thought it could.

Daycares are like dating - Trust your gut

I went back to work in January. Hannah started at her third daycare this week.

With the unfortunate news of the toddler who died at a home daycare with 27(!) kids in the GTA, a lot of parents are questioning how other parents could have left their children in the sketchy situation being described by media outlets.

I'm not here to judge anyone - a toddler has lost her life, parents have lost their daughter.

Growing up, my Mom had a gold star next to her name at my elementary school after making a stink about multiple things on multiple occasions. She was nice until she had a reason not to be. I am my Mother's Daughter.

As anyone who knows me in real life will attest to, I wear my heart on my sleeve - or more accurately my anger on my face (and in my voice, over the phone).

Hannah is the most precious gift I have ever been given, and she is the one thing in this world I am most passionate about. I'm a protective Mama Bear who growls if anyone tries to mess with my cub.

Fundraise with Mabel's Labels

School is almost out for the summer, but back to school season will come before we know it. Did you know you can start a Mabel's Labels fundraiser for your child's school or daycare?

Once the fundraiser has been set up you can shop through a specially created website link and your group gets a percentage of all sales. No more hauling boxes and filling forms because Mabel's Labels handles all orders, payments and deliveries. 

Get started today!

Disclosure: I am a Mabel's Labels affiliate.

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

The Bite

It's never a good thing when the daycare calls.

Just before the end of my work day on Monday, my cell phone lit up with the name of Hannah's daycare. She had been bitten. She was OK, but she cried. It happened during snack time. The Biter was sitting next to Hannah. Now, the Biter will never sit near Hannah again.

What to Do with Kids Artwork

My favourite thing about Hannah in daycare is the huge smile I receive when I pick her up. Sometimes, she can't stop hugging me. Other days she'll sing "Mama" over and over again. On a few occasions, we've even cuddled in the car before she'll let me go up front to drive us home without tears.

I've also mentioned I like the little reports the daycare gives us, but a few weeks ago something amazing was waiting for me in her cubby (well, anything is amazing compared to what I usually get- soiled clothing). Alas, the truly amazing items? ARTWORK.

My Daycare Progress Report

Hannah has been in daycare for six weeks now, so on Friday we received an Infant Progress Report. I was ecstatic to learn that when other kids and the teachers ask her for a "high 5" she now delivers. As mentioned previously, I was already in the know and very excited that "Hannah can remove her own shoes and socks." These reports are awesome, and much more detailed than Hannah's baby book. Because, as previously mentioned, most of the pages of Hannah's baby book remain blank.

So in light of Hannah's Progress Report, I think it's a good time to do my own self-report.

All Moms Should Go to Circus School

It's Sunday night. Tomorrow will begin a new work week, my second in the last 54 weeks. The mat leave is over, and in some respects, so is the party.

Everything has changed. Routines have to change. Alarm clocks have to change. How I manage my time has to change. I need to learn to juggle my priorities and therefore focuses in life. I need to learn to juggle.

I made it through my first week OK. There was no crying in the bathroom. There were lost passwords and new ideas at work.

There was no Sesame Street. No finger foods. No cuddles. No baby giggles.

There was also no Caillou. No messes. No pinches. No tantrums.

I could get up to use the washroom whenever I pleased without securing anyone or singing to them while I did my business.

If someone wanted something from me, they would just ask - in English. What a revolutionary way to communicate!

Once we get in to grooves and all adjust - Chris to dropping Hannah off at daycare, Hannah to spending all day at daycare, and me to work and daycare pickup (which, is seriously the BEST moment of my ENTIRE day) I think I will be happy to be back at work.

The phrase "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" could not be more true in this case. Being away from my daughter all day gives me extra patience with her in the evening and I can't get enough of being with her (well, save poopy diapers - the daycare can have ALL of those!).

So if my blog posts are a little sparse for the next few weeks you'll know why - I've run away to join the circus and learn how to juggle.

How did you learn to juggle?

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

My New Year's Resolution

Next week at this time, I will be at work. Hannah will be at daycare. And Chris, depending on his commute, will also be at work. Booyah, our cat, will probably be sleeping after meowing at us all morning.

Because Hannah has already started daycare, I have already slowly adjusted to not being with her all day. I hope this makes spending my day at work at lot easier. I hope at work I'm distracted and don't miss her as much as I currently do.

So, my New Year's Resolution is to spend at least one quality hour with Hannah a day during the week.

That doesn't seem like a lot, but she will be sleeping when I leave for work. I won't get to her at daycare until around 5:30 p.m., so we probably won't get home until 6ish. That gives me three to four hours to spend with her before she goes to bed. Factor in dinner and bath time, and one hour of quality time seems almost seems frivolous, especially since Chris will want to spend time with her too.

Did you make a New Year's Resolution? Does it deal with parenting?

© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.