Daycare Update

I write this post with a (very, very) heavy heart. I have enjoyed the most extraordinary 16 months of my life...being at home with Zoe. But the economy has had miserable consequences for us...so I have to go back to work for a while. Intellectually, I know that this is not the end of the world, but someone has to explain it to my heart. Millions of kids are looked after by someone other than their parents every day. But this my kid. My girl. My Zoe.

I have researched the hell out of every daycare situation within 20 miles of our home and I'm still interviewing nannies. Tomorrow, Zoe is doing a trial half day at the local daycare that I like best. The director of the daycare called me today to check in and finalize our plans for tomorrow (and re-answer many of the 1,000 questions I asked in the initial interview.) She asked if I had plans during the 4 hours that Zoe will be in her care. I answered her honestly: I will be the woman sitting in your parking lot, sobbing her way through a box of tissues. I also warned her in advance not to call the police tomorrow, because that stranger trying to peep into every window will be me.

****UPDATE****

So, Zoe (and Mommy) survived the first daycare experience. It was only a half day, but felt like forever on my end and I couldn't wait to go pick her up. Her teacher, Miss Donna, said she looked for a few times and became a bit upset, but otherwise had a great morning.