Daycare Drama

**Alert - no cute pictures on this post, just a little venting :)

Let me just say that Kate has been attending the Goddard for over two years now, and as an entirety, we couldn’t be happier with her experience.  Although a little pricey, a Mother’s comfort and a child’s feeling of security is priceless.  Kate loves her teachers, learns so much and we have all made great friends along the way.  From trikeathon’s to water day’s and Easter Egg hunts to birthday parties, Goddard has provided a fun learning environment for my baby girl.  July 15^th will be a sad day for Kate. 

Naturally, Goddard was the obvious choice for Hayes when it was time for Mommy to go back to work.  Alas, Hayes’ experience hasn’t been quite so positive.  Well, I’m not sure he realizes he has had a bad experience, but his Mama sure does.  I am not normally a confrontational person.  Yes, I get a little snippy from time to time, but I tend to take it out on the people I love and care about instead of the source of my frustration (a self-admitted problem that is most frequently the focal point of my New Year’s resolutions).  The ladies at Goddard; however, have brought out the bear in me.  It all started with Hayes’ schedule.  I was very clear when interviewing the ladies in the infant room that I am a schedule oriented person.  I work hard to get my kids on a predictable schedule, it is what keeps me sane and I truly believe is one of the primary reasons my kids are generally happy and well rested.  They reassured me multiple times that they completely understood and it wouldn’t be any problem to keep Hayes on whatever schedule I requested.  I asked multiple questions about their ability to have 10 infants with two adults because I was very skeptical.  I had lots of reassurance that this is what they do and there is no question they could fulfill Hayes’ needs and all of my requests.  They have done a great job with Kate, so I had no reason not to believe them, right?  Wrong.

Just before Hayes started, I filled out lots of paperwork to include information about Hayes’ schedule, his likes, dislikes, and my requests….etc.  It took me over an hour to write down everything I could think of, because this was how they would get to know my baby boy….or so I thought.  Clearly, this paperwork was nothing more than a process for them, I’m not confident anyone ever even read it.  I realized that it would take time for Hayes to adjust to his new atmosphere, so my expectations weren’t high in the beginning.  However, as time went on, Hayes’ schedule remained one that was clearly whatever was easiest for them.  He cries, pop a bottle in his mouth, he doesn’t want it, lay him down for a 15 minute nap, when he wakes up, try the bottle again….etc.  There was no thought behind the reason for his crying/fussing, but simply how can we make him be quiet.  So, I addressed the issue and was reassured that they would try really hard to get him back on schedule.  And they did, for a few days.  And so this saga continues with his schedule.  To date, I have given up on any schedule at daycare.  He does great on the weekends and for now, that will just have to work. 

Little did I know, this would be the first of many frustrations.  Next came the spoiling of 12 oz of breast milk, which by this point had become liquid gold since I was having a difficult time keeping up with this growing boy.  Issue addressed.  Then, regardless of their 45 minute policy, they warmed a bottle up and fed it to him 1 hour and 45 minutes later.  Issue addressed, they said they made a mistake in writing down the time (more to the story, but this was a total cop-out).  Several other issues such as these continued, some I addressed, some I just decided it wasn’t worth it. 

And so here we are this week and my sweet boy has a bad diaper rash.  Although, when the diaper cream is applied his little bum burns and he cries.  This is my second kiddo and I have seen this multiple times before, so I purchase the anti-fungal for this little yeast infection.  It works great, just as Kate’s doctor said it would 3 years ago.  I take the over the counter cream to daycare, and ask that they apply it instead of the diaper cream.  They refused.  A doctor’s note of approval was requested.  Ok, silly, but I guess I understand.  I call the doctor; they fax approval to use the cream.  Oh, but that just wasn’t enough.  When he gets picked up, they inform us that they need to know how much to apply, when to apply, for how many days…and the list goes on.  Seriously, does anyone at this daycare have common sense?  It isn’t rocket science, it’s a diaper rash.  This Mama wasn’t happy and the daycare is well aware.  Aside for this ridiculous request, why would they wait until 5:30 to tell me these things instead of calling as soon as they receive the approval?  I just want my baby to have some relief of this burning rash on his tooshy.   I presume paying these people more per month than we pay for a roof over our heads just isn’t enough.

So, I guess I have realized that when it comes to my kids, I clearly don’t hold back.  I may have overreacted a time or two during all of these issues, but if Kevin and I don’t stand up for our kids no one else will, right?  Perhaps I am a bit on the overprotective side, but isn’t that better than not caring at all? 

I just keep telling myself: "4 more weeks, 4 more weeks"... and they will be under the care of someone that loves them just as much as I do (well, almost :)).  So, July 15th will be a sad day for Kate, but a very happy day for Mommy and Hayes!