I decided to leave Jackson where he is. He's happy there, and yes it costs more but he's learned a lot and is doing really well. It's also very convenient. But now I'm having some second thoughts. Mostly because of vacation and holidays. The contract I have with the daycare says she will take 10 vacation days plus the stat holidays (she lists them) and up to 5 sick days. So she has technically taken 6 sick days already, but Jackson was sick for 1 of them so I'm ok with that. She has also already taken 10 vacation days as far as I am concerned. There were 10 days, not stat holidays or sick days, that she was closed.
And now she's put more on her calendar! One in November after US thanksgiving. Ok fine, I'll play dumb and call in to work that the daycare is closed because she's sick, so I can use a different type of leave than vacation days, but is she expecting me to pay her for it? Then she's got herself closed from December 21st until January 6th! That is 10 working days, not including the stats for Christmas and Boxing Day, and New Years. I am so upset! That means I'll have to use 20+ vacation days for this year, never mind that I'll be using 2 1/2 of them when she's open but I want to take a day off. I only get 15 in a year! I feel suddenly trapped by her scheduled. Yes I think she should be able to take vacation, and yes she's giving me lots of notice, but I have no backup. There is no one to split these holidays with, it's all me. I'm stressing out now because I'm not sure I have enough holidays to cover all these. It's making me ill as I write this and I can't even check until I go to work Monday.
Plus one of the days I'm not sure if she's actually closed or not. And the 23rd is a bring the kids to work day at work, so I can not take the day off and bring him in, get paid for it, not have to use holidays, but how does that look? I'm off the two days before because daycare's closed, but sure I'll come in on the Friday. I also have to save a day off for February when she's closed for a provincial holiday that I don't get because I work for the federal government... yeah go figure that one out. And if she takes any other time before the end of March, I have to take unpaid leave. Because I can afford to do that... I'm quite upset (in case you can't tell) and am wondering now if I should have taken that other spot... at least it's a centre and while they are probably closed over Christmas, that's 3 days, not 10. Arg!!!
I'm so drained by all this crap, I just don't know what to do any more. I would like to not pay her for the extra days, since they are above her 10 vacation days, but does that make thing uncomfortable for us? Do I care? I guess I have to because she's watching my kid... and I don't want him to suffer for it. So stupid. I wonder if I can change my mind now about the other daycare... course I don't have time to give a months notice so I'd be screwed there any way, have to pay for two places at once. I feel ill.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Daycare dilema
Just have to write this out I guess. I love my daycare provider, she's great, she's convenient. Jackson loves going there, he has learned soooo much and she has a lot of patience with the little boys. Jackson likes his little friends there, he talks about them (though I don't always know what he's saying). So what's the problem? It's expensive. And I'm a single mom. And I got a phone call today, well a voicemail because my cell doesn't get great reception at work, from one of the waiting lists Jackson is on. I have to call back but did some checking when I got home. It's for a subsidized spot, so I'd save about $350 a month, over two years that's close to $8,000. That's the down payment on a house, or payment for fertility treatment ;-)
The new daycare is on the way to work, sort of. It's open 7:30 to 5:30, so I'd have to change my hours. They wouldn't give him breakfast so I'd have to get him up earlier for that. There are more kids there, so he'd have more friends, but also perhaps less attention. There would be girls there, he now only has boys to play with, it might be nice to have a variety. And if someone is sick, I wouldn't have to keep him home (unless it's him of course). I mean now there is only my DCP, so if she is sick, she is closed, and I have to take the day off work. I wouldn't have to take my holidays when I'm told, I could take holidays whenever I want to.
It is a strange position. If he wasn't doing so well where he is, if it wasn't so convenient, if he didn't like Kristina so much, and if it wasn't so much money... I wouldn't even consider not taking the spot.
Another thing that worries me is there was one write up I found on this particular daycare and they go on about how it's for "families in need" and they are "serving poor families". Well sure, I qualify for a subsidy but I don't think I'm poor! I mean the subsidy would be awesome, but do I need it? Am I taking a spot from someone who really does NEED it?
I will probably call them tomorrow and ask a few questions, will they use cloth diapers, some of their policies, how naps work, things like that. I'll decide if I want to go and see them, and go from there I guess. My gut is, he's doing really well where he is. My head tells me to consider the option... it's a lot of money, and while money isn't everything, it sure makes things easier.
As a funny side note, Jackson has recently become obsessed with the potty, and has peed on it twice. DCP is willing to start working on potty training, though I don't think he's quite ready yet. It is interesting and I wonder how much of it the other little boys there, one who is potty trained, and so he sees this. I'm really not ready for potty training yet!
The new daycare is on the way to work, sort of. It's open 7:30 to 5:30, so I'd have to change my hours. They wouldn't give him breakfast so I'd have to get him up earlier for that. There are more kids there, so he'd have more friends, but also perhaps less attention. There would be girls there, he now only has boys to play with, it might be nice to have a variety. And if someone is sick, I wouldn't have to keep him home (unless it's him of course). I mean now there is only my DCP, so if she is sick, she is closed, and I have to take the day off work. I wouldn't have to take my holidays when I'm told, I could take holidays whenever I want to.
It is a strange position. If he wasn't doing so well where he is, if it wasn't so convenient, if he didn't like Kristina so much, and if it wasn't so much money... I wouldn't even consider not taking the spot.
Another thing that worries me is there was one write up I found on this particular daycare and they go on about how it's for "families in need" and they are "serving poor families". Well sure, I qualify for a subsidy but I don't think I'm poor! I mean the subsidy would be awesome, but do I need it? Am I taking a spot from someone who really does NEED it?
I will probably call them tomorrow and ask a few questions, will they use cloth diapers, some of their policies, how naps work, things like that. I'll decide if I want to go and see them, and go from there I guess. My gut is, he's doing really well where he is. My head tells me to consider the option... it's a lot of money, and while money isn't everything, it sure makes things easier.
As a funny side note, Jackson has recently become obsessed with the potty, and has peed on it twice. DCP is willing to start working on potty training, though I don't think he's quite ready yet. It is interesting and I wonder how much of it the other little boys there, one who is potty trained, and so he sees this. I'm really not ready for potty training yet!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
the haircut
My little boy was born with a lot of hair. He's had about 6 haircuts up to today, 3 at hairdressers, and 3 by me. He's always been really good about it, sits still and likes to watch, tries to see what I'm doing. Today was a completely different kid. He flipped out! I mean he was screaming crying, sobbing. It was not fun, and I felt bed doing it but I thought after the first swipe with the clippers he'd be ok, but he wasn't. Of course then I had no choice but to finish! He does look adorable but all evening it's been yelling at the chair he sat in for the hair cut, saying "baby crying" and "bad Mommy". I almost wish he couldn't talk lol. He was very tired, so I'm sure that contributed to the meltdown. He was very tired all evening, and very mad at that chair lol. I had to put it away so he couldn't see it any more. He fell asleep pretty quickly though, so hopefully by tomorrow we'll be ok. And perhaps we need to do haircuts a little more often, or let him grow it out? :-)
Monday, July 25, 2011
Busy days, and bumps on the head
Life has been busy lately, it seems like the days and nights are just flying by! I've had a few vacations down to see my parents, Jackson always seems to end up sick when we go down there, but it's still nice to go. He loves being there but is find with leaving so it's interesting to me to watch. He's been learning and growing so fast. He knows his colours quite well, his favourite is YELLOW!!! as he screams whenever he sees it. Love it. Problems occur when I do things like wear a purple bra and he sees it, then proceeds to look for it when we are out and about... yeah that's fun :-) But I still think he's doing amazingly well with learning all these things and am sure he's the smartest little boy ever ;-)
Today was a bit difficult. Things were pretty much normal, went to work and all that good stuff. Then I got a phone call from daycare, she never calls. Apparently Jackson fell off the couch at her place and landed on the back of his head. He then threw up, she's a nurse so of course she called me. I was getting my things together to go get him when she called again... he was staring into space and acting dazed. So I got to her place as quickly as possible... and he was fine. He apparently had snapped out of it pretty quickly and was watching the books and playing. I stayed for about an hour or so, watched him start eating lunch, and then left him there. She said he seemed fine and she'd keep an eye on him. Being a nurse, I thought she'd have a better idea of what to watch for, and didn't want to take him to the hospital for observation.
I love having a daycare provider who is a nurse, it is a relief to know he's in good hands. When he was coming out of the staring she did some tests with him, checked his eyes and ears, hand grip, asked him some questions. It was interesting because she did things I never would have thought of. So I am very relieved. I will probably still wake him up when I go up to bed to make sure he's ok, but he seems to be fine now, thank goodness. It was one of those moments when it would be nice to have someone around to lean on, it was stressful for me, worrying, and then relieved that it was all ok.
We've been having a good summer other than the illnesses, and the bumps and bruises. Last week was very hot, but we survived. A trip to the beach made me realize he really needs some swimming lessons, so we'll be signing up for some in September. After that we'll see if it's more swimming or gymnastics. Funny thing, I think he's going to be a dancer. There's a part of one of his videos where the little boy in black tap dances across the screen, well every time Jackson sees it he gets up and stomps his way just like the little boy. It's too cute, and makes me want to sign him up for dance classes! Time will tell I guess.
Still thinking of what to do about number 2, I really want another baby and time is ticking, but I'm trying to focus on money, and getting in shape. I'm still not sure if I want to start trying this fall or wait another year. I am really enjoying Jackson right now, it's nice the two of us, and I know that'll change quite a bit, but I still want that change. So I'll wait for now, and see what happens.
Today was a bit difficult. Things were pretty much normal, went to work and all that good stuff. Then I got a phone call from daycare, she never calls. Apparently Jackson fell off the couch at her place and landed on the back of his head. He then threw up, she's a nurse so of course she called me. I was getting my things together to go get him when she called again... he was staring into space and acting dazed. So I got to her place as quickly as possible... and he was fine. He apparently had snapped out of it pretty quickly and was watching the books and playing. I stayed for about an hour or so, watched him start eating lunch, and then left him there. She said he seemed fine and she'd keep an eye on him. Being a nurse, I thought she'd have a better idea of what to watch for, and didn't want to take him to the hospital for observation.
I love having a daycare provider who is a nurse, it is a relief to know he's in good hands. When he was coming out of the staring she did some tests with him, checked his eyes and ears, hand grip, asked him some questions. It was interesting because she did things I never would have thought of. So I am very relieved. I will probably still wake him up when I go up to bed to make sure he's ok, but he seems to be fine now, thank goodness. It was one of those moments when it would be nice to have someone around to lean on, it was stressful for me, worrying, and then relieved that it was all ok.
We've been having a good summer other than the illnesses, and the bumps and bruises. Last week was very hot, but we survived. A trip to the beach made me realize he really needs some swimming lessons, so we'll be signing up for some in September. After that we'll see if it's more swimming or gymnastics. Funny thing, I think he's going to be a dancer. There's a part of one of his videos where the little boy in black tap dances across the screen, well every time Jackson sees it he gets up and stomps his way just like the little boy. It's too cute, and makes me want to sign him up for dance classes! Time will tell I guess.
Still thinking of what to do about number 2, I really want another baby and time is ticking, but I'm trying to focus on money, and getting in shape. I'm still not sure if I want to start trying this fall or wait another year. I am really enjoying Jackson right now, it's nice the two of us, and I know that'll change quite a bit, but I still want that change. So I'll wait for now, and see what happens.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Lovely long weekend
We're back home from a long weekend visit to my parent's. Daycare was closed today as well so we just got back today. Back to work tomorrow sadly. It was a nice trip but poor baby got a cold, so we didn't get to go to the beach, I was a little disappointed by that but we'll have to go back I guess. I also had a bit of a cold so it was nice to be down there and able to get some good sleep. Nanny got up with the baby so I got to sleep all night. Except of course I'm so used to being up in the middle of the night I got up to pee any way. Still it was nice. The AC was great too... it's hot here!
My parent's got a sandbox for the boy, bigger one that I have. Not sure how much he'll get to use it since we don't go down that often, but he does like it any way so that was nice of them, and good for him. He really enjoyed being down there with "Nana" & "Pockey" That should be Poppy as my nieces call him, but he can't quite say it so Pockey it is! And 'Uke their dog (Duke). It's very cute.
Hopefully the baby sleeps well. The first night down there he woke up once but then slept until 9am!!!!! That does not happen. Ever. The rest of the days he was up around 6 but my mom let him babble in his bed until 7. She said he was reviewing the previous day, talking about the big truck, big pail, water, etc.
And now we are home, and it's hot! The weather is warm and humid, summer has arrived I guess. Work is air conditioned, but daycare is not. I think he handles it a little better than I do though, and he's good about drinking lots of water.
My cats are happy to see us. They had lots of food and water left but of course they still think they're going to starve to death or something. I am not sure if they will sleep with me or not, it's hot so probably not, but they missed us so maybe yes. Be nice to have the bed to myself tonight, Riley shares the bed with my at my parents.
Any way! Almost time for bed I think, I'm tired from the long drive, and still not feeling 100%. So sleep would be good.
My parent's got a sandbox for the boy, bigger one that I have. Not sure how much he'll get to use it since we don't go down that often, but he does like it any way so that was nice of them, and good for him. He really enjoyed being down there with "Nana" & "Pockey" That should be Poppy as my nieces call him, but he can't quite say it so Pockey it is! And 'Uke their dog (Duke). It's very cute.
Hopefully the baby sleeps well. The first night down there he woke up once but then slept until 9am!!!!! That does not happen. Ever. The rest of the days he was up around 6 but my mom let him babble in his bed until 7. She said he was reviewing the previous day, talking about the big truck, big pail, water, etc.
And now we are home, and it's hot! The weather is warm and humid, summer has arrived I guess. Work is air conditioned, but daycare is not. I think he handles it a little better than I do though, and he's good about drinking lots of water.
My cats are happy to see us. They had lots of food and water left but of course they still think they're going to starve to death or something. I am not sure if they will sleep with me or not, it's hot so probably not, but they missed us so maybe yes. Be nice to have the bed to myself tonight, Riley shares the bed with my at my parents.
Any way! Almost time for bed I think, I'm tired from the long drive, and still not feeling 100%. So sleep would be good.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Lovely weekend
Jackson and I had a lovely weekend, we went to the store yesterday and it was a good trip. We got some good stuff, and stopped for McDonald's breakfast on the way home. He gobbled it up! He does love those breakfast burritos lol, and hash browns. I'm sure McDonald's is very bad for us, but we usually get the breakfast which I think is better than the rest, and he does love it. We had a good rest of the day, though the weather was a bit crappy. We went out for a walk and ended up getting rained on. It was funny because Jackson can say rain, water and wet now so I got the play by play on the way home :-) And even once we got home he ran to the back door to watch the rain.
Today was pretty good as well. We went to the bookstore because someone was rather cranky and I've no idea why. He ate a huge breakfast, and later a big lunch and amazing dinner. Even had a big snack before bed. I think he's going to grow again :-) He was pretty good at the bookstore, though it was kind of exhausting for me since he loves books and was trying to grab them all off the shelves. I got him 4 new books, they were buy 3 get one free and from the bargain section. He loves the one about trucks and tractors.
And tomorrow it's back to work, back to daycare. But only for 4 days! July 1st is a holiday here, and I have July 4th off as well, so we'll be off to my parents, and hopefully the beach. I picked up a Puddlejumper for the beach and swimming, it was on sale and a good deal. I've heard great things about them, and look forward to trying it out. It should fit next year as well, it goes up to 50 pounds, so it'll be good to get some use out of it.
On another note, I've been worrying more and more about my fertility and need to figure that out. I have been trying to wait, and work on losing some weight, saving some money, before moving forward. But I'm thinking I need to maybe get checked out to see what I'm looking at. I don't know if a thermometer might help me at least see if I can tell when I'm ovulating and all that. It seems that my cycle is shorter, and varies wildly from month to month. I had hoped to wait until the end of summer before trying to do anything, or investigating. I might not have that time. I do know that I am so blessed to already have my son, and if it turns out I'm too late, well I have a great kid already so it's not the end of the world I know, but I also feel incomplete as a family. I'm 36, that shouldn't be too late.
Another issue now is that a friend is getting married down south in the spring, and apparently I am being invited. So that's $1500 I need by fall to book my spot, and then worry about what to do with the dog and the baby while I'm gone for a week. And that's $1500 I could use for a month or two of IUI's. I don't want to stop my life but I don't know what is best. It's a hard decision, I'd really love to go but am not sure it's best for my life. I could wait a few years, and take my family some place with a beach when they are old enough. But I have never gone to an all-inclusive. And it would be fun.
Today was pretty good as well. We went to the bookstore because someone was rather cranky and I've no idea why. He ate a huge breakfast, and later a big lunch and amazing dinner. Even had a big snack before bed. I think he's going to grow again :-) He was pretty good at the bookstore, though it was kind of exhausting for me since he loves books and was trying to grab them all off the shelves. I got him 4 new books, they were buy 3 get one free and from the bargain section. He loves the one about trucks and tractors.
And tomorrow it's back to work, back to daycare. But only for 4 days! July 1st is a holiday here, and I have July 4th off as well, so we'll be off to my parents, and hopefully the beach. I picked up a Puddlejumper for the beach and swimming, it was on sale and a good deal. I've heard great things about them, and look forward to trying it out. It should fit next year as well, it goes up to 50 pounds, so it'll be good to get some use out of it.
On another note, I've been worrying more and more about my fertility and need to figure that out. I have been trying to wait, and work on losing some weight, saving some money, before moving forward. But I'm thinking I need to maybe get checked out to see what I'm looking at. I don't know if a thermometer might help me at least see if I can tell when I'm ovulating and all that. It seems that my cycle is shorter, and varies wildly from month to month. I had hoped to wait until the end of summer before trying to do anything, or investigating. I might not have that time. I do know that I am so blessed to already have my son, and if it turns out I'm too late, well I have a great kid already so it's not the end of the world I know, but I also feel incomplete as a family. I'm 36, that shouldn't be too late.
Another issue now is that a friend is getting married down south in the spring, and apparently I am being invited. So that's $1500 I need by fall to book my spot, and then worry about what to do with the dog and the baby while I'm gone for a week. And that's $1500 I could use for a month or two of IUI's. I don't want to stop my life but I don't know what is best. It's a hard decision, I'd really love to go but am not sure it's best for my life. I could wait a few years, and take my family some place with a beach when they are old enough. But I have never gone to an all-inclusive. And it would be fun.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Work work work
I'm back at work after my too short holiday. The baby is finally starting to look less beat up, he had a few bumps and bruises from our stay with my parents, and a bad rash on his face. I assume the rash is from sunscreen but can't be sure. It's finally clearing up though his skin is now a bit scaly and rough, at least he's not as itchy. The first night home was rough, he was up for awhile scratching at his face. We stopped at the pharmacy and the pharmacist was a big help. I often ask them questions instead of going to the doctor as they are familiar with the medications and what can be used for kids. They will also often mix things up for you, one made a mixture for Jackson's eczema last summer when it was really bad on his back and it was quite helpful.
Work is work, I go and do it because I need to make money, and I have a great pension plan, plus other benefits. I wouldn't say I love it, but it pays the bills and keeps a roof over my head. Hopefully it will pay for another baby, and now a wedding trip. My friend is getting married next April some place South and warm, apparently I'm being invited which was a bit of a surprise to me. And I'd really like to go. But it's going to cost money that I was setting aside for baby 2, and mean leaving Jackson (and the dog) with my parents for a week. Not sure how I feel about that. Though I know he'd be fine, I think I would really miss him.
I was realizing I haven't really been apart from him since he was born. I've had a few hours off here and there, and being back to work I drop him off at 7am and pick him up at 4:30. I've left him for a few hours with my mom or my sister, but I don't go out in the evening and I'm always the one to put him to bed at night. I don't really regret that at all, I know when he's older I can look for a babysitter so I can go out for dinner or what have you, but right now, I enjoy the evening time with him (most of the time lol) and don't really trust anyone with him beyond my family. My nieces are both of babysitting age, the younger one has just started babysitting, so that will be an option, perhaps this summer I can get her to watch him, and have her stay overnight maybe.
I'm trying to plan when I can take a bit more time off, I don't want to use up all my holidays because I will need some time off around Christmas when daycare is closed, but I do want a few days to go to the beach, and have a bit of fun. I am off for a long weekend July 1 to 4th, so that will be quite nice, we'll go down to my parents again I'm sure, they have central air conditioning, and are close to the beaches :-)
I think it's time for an early night, it's raining and I'm tired. One thing I've learned being a mom, sleep when you can!
Work is work, I go and do it because I need to make money, and I have a great pension plan, plus other benefits. I wouldn't say I love it, but it pays the bills and keeps a roof over my head. Hopefully it will pay for another baby, and now a wedding trip. My friend is getting married next April some place South and warm, apparently I'm being invited which was a bit of a surprise to me. And I'd really like to go. But it's going to cost money that I was setting aside for baby 2, and mean leaving Jackson (and the dog) with my parents for a week. Not sure how I feel about that. Though I know he'd be fine, I think I would really miss him.
I was realizing I haven't really been apart from him since he was born. I've had a few hours off here and there, and being back to work I drop him off at 7am and pick him up at 4:30. I've left him for a few hours with my mom or my sister, but I don't go out in the evening and I'm always the one to put him to bed at night. I don't really regret that at all, I know when he's older I can look for a babysitter so I can go out for dinner or what have you, but right now, I enjoy the evening time with him (most of the time lol) and don't really trust anyone with him beyond my family. My nieces are both of babysitting age, the younger one has just started babysitting, so that will be an option, perhaps this summer I can get her to watch him, and have her stay overnight maybe.
I'm trying to plan when I can take a bit more time off, I don't want to use up all my holidays because I will need some time off around Christmas when daycare is closed, but I do want a few days to go to the beach, and have a bit of fun. I am off for a long weekend July 1 to 4th, so that will be quite nice, we'll go down to my parents again I'm sure, they have central air conditioning, and are close to the beaches :-)
I think it's time for an early night, it's raining and I'm tired. One thing I've learned being a mom, sleep when you can!
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