This is a big week for me. School and my new job start on Wednesday. Summer break is over and now, instead of sleeping until 10, we will all be out of bed at 5:30 and in the car by 6:30, hopefully dressed with hair combed and teeth brushed. Though we may have to work up to that. I’ll be happy with dressed for the first couple of days. It’s going to be tough, but we’ll adjust. Eventually.
What bothers me most (aside from the ungodly hour) is taking the baby girl to daycare. None of my kids have ever been to daycare. I couldn’t bear the thought. I wanted to stay home with my kids while they still wanted me around. The baby and toddler years go by so fast and I didn’t want to miss a moment. The thought of them taking their first steps or saying their first word while at daycare was agonizing.
I’m lucky. I’ve spent the big milestone years with all five of the kids. But now it’s time to go back to work, for the good of everyone. My job is necessary for my children’s education and my sanity. I’ve been ready to go back to work for a while. It’s been 11 wonderful years staying home with babies and toddlers and I’ll miss it horribly. But I’m also excited. I know a job means bosses and maybe some co-workers I’m not crazy about, a schedule, rules, and tiredness. I’ve heard it all over the years from the employed. Sounds kind of great to me. No diapers or Spongebob Squarepants? Bring it on. Of course, I’m entering the cutthroat world of Elementary school cafeteria workers, so I may be singing a different tune in a couple of weeks. Yeah.
Going back to work might bother me more if I hadn’t found a great place to send my baby girl. I’m not sending her to a traditional daycare of 50 screaming kids/1 harried adult ratios. She’s going to an in-home daycare of 1 adult, 4 kids max. She’ll eat at a kitchen table and play in a real backyard. As expected, the finding of a great place I could afford was easy, accomplished by a few phone calls and knowing the right people. I have been amazingly blessed through all the crazy stuff that’s happened this summer (see here and here.) This has definitely been a summer I’ll never forget.
In preparation for my return to work and the kids return to school, I’m cleaning house. I hope to have it as close to spotless as I’m capable (I’m not the world’s greatest housekeeper. If you don’t know me, take a look at the links below to see how big of a pig I really am.) Hopefully the mere four waking hours my kids spend at home each day will make it easier to keep it that way. Though baby girl was able to accomplish this great feat in a matter of a few unsupervised minutes.
The Next Michelangelo
Is it any wonder I’m not all that upset about sending her to daycare?
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I’d rather write my blog, read a book, or stare blankly into space than clean. So what?
Springtime, Bleach, and a Piano
Blogging Wishes and Momfog Dreams
Positive Thinking Gets the Laundry Done
Momfog 
Best of luck to you in your new adventures in the working world! I have been a SAHM for the better part of 10 years so I hear you. I think I’m ready to get back out there myself. I’ve been very blessed to stay home, but now it’s time for a new chapter–my kids, my husband and I will be better for it. Good luck to you!
I’ve loved staying home but I think it’s best for my brain and my sanity to join the real world. I think I’ll be happier and that will make everyone else happier, too. Good luck to you!
Good luck this week! I start college again in a couple weeks, and I am very nervous. I don’t even have to leave my home to go (online), but I am still curious as to time management. I wish you the best, and can’t wait to hear about it!
Good luck with school! I’m sure you’ll figure out the schedule. We have to make time for what’s important, even if it means losing a little sleep.
I’m sure I’ll have a lot to say about my first day back to work.
I hope your new job goes well! I just turned in my notice at mine, because my hubby got a new job, and if I kept mine I would hardly ever see him.
Hehe, that is an awesome picture. I’m sure she’ll have so much fun at daycare, especially since it’s a small one where she’ll get one-on-one attention! Not as many germs to be exposed to either . . .
As for the early morning hours, I recommend coffee.
Oh dear. I don’t think I can consume more coffee than I already do. I may have to look into an IV or something.
I know you’ll enjoy your time at home and make sure you use some of that time to get some writing done! 🙂
well, there’s caffeine pills if you’re desperate, I’m sure 😉
I plan on getting plenty of writing done, no worries there! I’m going to my first writing conference beginning of October and there’s several contests I want to enter, so I’ve got to get the short stories rolling!
And you will have all the crazy kids at school to write about! Don’t forget to keep a pen and paper handy to jot stuff down!
Good luck! I am sure the budding artist will be fine in day care. You aren’t going to be away from her for 10 hours a day, which is what most of us had/have to do with 8 – 5 jobs and travel on top.
You are right about that. It will only be 7 hours, two of which she’ll probably spend napping anyway. And I’m sure there will be a cornucopia of blog ideas in the months ahead.
Hope all is well with you and yours. 🙂
Congratulations on the new job. Life just got crazy times 2, but at least you’ll have more craziness to blog about. 🙂
There’s always a silver lining, huh?
Good luck! You’ll do great. The daycare thing is no doubt a difficult decision, but if you find the right place the kids will eventually love it there and it will just become part of the daily routine. You can still be a GREAT MOM, just a working mom!
Oh, I’m not a GREAT mom now. More…slightly above average. I’m okay with that. 🙂 I honestly don’t feel guilty about it. I’m just going to miss her, that’s all. Thanks for the encouragement.
I’m sure it’s hard, but your baby girl will get lots of attention and some new playmates. I hope you do, too! Good luck Lunch Lady! 🙂
So I definitely read this twice through just trying to find a reference to “SAHM”. Then this morning it finally occurred to me what it stood for. *Face-palm*
In all seriousness though, good luck to you! I still remember the first few times I was left at Day Care, and though I cried my eyes out, as soon as my mom was gone I had the time of my life playing with the other kids. She’ll be fine! And I can’t wait to hear your stories from school – I’m sure the kids there will provide for a multitude of their own posts.
Oh! It was stupid of me to assume everyone would know what SAHM meant. If I wasn’t one, I probably wouldn’t know what it meant, either. BTW, baby girl didn’t miss me one whit.
Good luck with your first day of work. How come I have a feeling you will be full of interesting stories to tell ! I know when I was growing up food fights were the norm in the school cafeteria. Just a heads up! LOL! Oh, and the little one has some serious artistic talent! 🙂
Thanks, Marcia. Food fights will probably not happen. They run a very tight ship, I can tell you. Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking?
Why do I get the idea Baby Girl is going to be such an entertaining addition to her daycare co-horts? If it helps, I have taught myself to believe that a very clean house is a lonely place. Have fun expanding on the latest in Mum as role- model!
I like that. I’d take the scribble marks over a childless house. Most days, anyway. 🙂
Good luck at the new job! I’m almost doing the exact opposite! After 23 years in the workforce, I’m recently unemployed and looking to spend some serious quality time with my 6-year-old. He too went to an in-home day care. I loved it and so did he. 🙂 Good for you!
It’s nice hearing from you! I know you’ll enjoy the time with the kid. I almost went out of my mind several times over the last 11 years, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Have fun!
Hi there! I found you at the mom pledge hop. I’m looking forward to an update. I hope you are finding your routine:) You can find my blog at myparentingcoach.com/blog
Oh dear, I haven’t quite hit on a routine yet. I’ve had some pretty unbelievable things happen lately, preventing that. I have a few newer posts you could check out if you’re interested.
Thanks for stopping by and I’ll pay you a visit as soon as I can!
This is the first post I will be featuring from The Mom Pledge Blog Hop! Look for it to be featured this coming Saturday! Hope the transition has gone well for you!
Wow, thanks! I’ve never been “featured” before. I’ll look for it. And the transition is going well. Thanks again!