It is about to start, that time that you have been dreading and or hoping for “DAYCARE”. Although we are very lucky to have a childcare system that helps out working moms it is still truly nerve-wracking for all new moms out there.
Here are some fun and not-so-fun facts about daycare. My toddler started when he turned 10 months, I started him early and at a slow pace so that when it was time for me to go back to work there were no issues.
The first week leading up to starting my anxiety kicked in I prepared everything and was telling myself that he will be ok; I think the hardest part for me as a mother was being able to trust a total stranger with my child.
Day one was brutal, you sit in your car after dropping them off and pretty much cry because you already miss them, a little trick that helped me I planned something for my day. I went to Dollarama and did some errands and little did I know it passed so fast that it was already time to get him.
What is good to know is the first week of starting daycare try not to make any concrete plans, because they won’t keep your child a full day from the get-go. Each daycare is different but most like to gradually ween newcomers into a new routine.
One downfall which I have experienced just like other parents out there is your child getting sick A LOT for at least the first year and I mean A LOT. Their immune systems aren’t 100% developed to all the germs out there and it is only normal that when starting daycare they are exposed to a lot of germs, so be prepared for sleepless nights and a lot of doctors’ appointments.
One stressor with my toddler being sick all the time was the time off I had to take from my job. Like any other parent, you hope that your employer understands. Hopefully, you also have a partner that can take some time off too. I will soon be falling into year two with my toddler, and let’s cross our fingers that there will be fewer emergency doctor appointments.
A plus to daycare is that your child gets to interact with children their own age, they get to make friends, learn new skills, and build independency.
