Dear daycare mom,
I know it’s hard.
To get yourself up before them, to make lunches, to pack the bags, to get yourself ready.
To go into their rooms, where they are peacefully sleeping, and turn the lights on.
To struggle to get them breakfast, get them dressed, and get them out the door.
I know it’s hard.
To have a morning rush when all you want to do is snuggle up on the couch and ease into your day.
RELATED: When a Mom is Late To Work
To feel like you are missing out on their childhood at times because working is not a choice you got to make.
To drop off a crying child who does not want to leave you because you are their safe place.
I know it’s hard.
To scramble to find childcare because your kids are too sick to go to daycare, but you are out of sick days at work.
To yearn to not have to choose whether to stay home with your sick kids or not.
To feel pulled in both directions when all you want to do is be home with them.
I know it’s hard.
There is not much solace to be offered there. Being a parent who has no choice but to choose daycare is hard—hard on you, hard on your kids at times, just hard on the heart.
But honestly, I have watched my kids transform into curious, smart, amazing little human beings. I know that as a parent, I play a role in who they are becoming. But, so does their daycare.
RELATED: We Didn’t Just Send Our Kids to Daycare, We Sent Them to a Second Home
I have built relationships with their teachers. I have made friends with fellow parents. I have seen my kids absolutely thrive.
So yes, I know being a daycare mom can be hard.
But it can also be pretty amazing.