Trust

Parents must have trust when it comes to their children's care. We have to trust their doctors, teachers, and caregivers. Since I returned to work, we placed Charleigh (8 weeks old) in daycare at the same preschool Cavan goes to. When Cavan was an infant I had a hard time being satisfied with the care and we moved him around until he was 15 months old. I love the school he's at now. He has had curriculum since he started there. He has learned so much.

Six babies to one adult is a ridiculous ratio. State regulations allow twelve babies to two adults. Obviously, all childcare facilities are going to maximize this. Even parents with sextuplets get outside help so it only makes sense to bring the baby adult ration down some. I have been really struggling with letting her go to daycare so young. I hadn't planned for her to go until she was six months to a year old. That didn't work out. Nevertheless, here we are.

One of the caregivers is having a difficult time differentiating between Charleigh and Catherine. We keep getting Catherine's stuff sent home in our bag. What really set me off was when I picked her up on Thursday she had Catherine's pacifier. I went straight to the owner and she agreed that this is a major deal and spoke with both of the teachers. The next morning, the one that keeps getting everything mixed up snapped at me.

I pulled Charleigh's pacifier out of her cubbie and someone else's initials were put on the bottom of it in white out. I said, “Catherine's initials are on Charleigh's pacifier.” She fired back, "That's why we need everything to be mark." In the same tone she used with me, I said, "Her name is in black sharpie above where the white out is." I left the room crying and shaking and spoke to the owner again.

First, my concern was that she couldn't pay enough attention to keep them straight. I began to wonder if she was even getting her own bottles since we share diapers, clothes, and pacifiers. This disgusts me. Sharing mothers' breast milk. Now, my concern is that she will ignore Charleigh because she is upset with me. It makes me sick to my stomach. They are well aware that I am upset. My dad suggested I spot check the videos everyday for a while. That’s the plan.

It also infuriates me that she dares to have an attitude with me because I'm not ok with sharing germs. I think my complaint is completely legitimate.

I have been a complete basket case this week. Yesterday, after I left school I cried at Wal-Mart when someone else's child fell out of the buggy. It was terrible.

I hope all of this gets worked out soon because I cannot continue to allow my little girl to be in this situation. It is so hard to trust anyone except family to care for my children. I have never worried since Cavan started here two years ago.