Daycare blues

dad and matilda
Originally uploaded by Woody Dam Road

The one constant source of anxiety that Jeff and I have faced as parents is child care, and the lack of decent and affordable options. We don't live near family, and thus we pay dearly for every hour we are not physically with our kids. Of course, as my previous entry discussed, the kids are also paying dearly it seems (which is, of course, not to denegrate daycare, which I think is an awesome thing. It's just not working great for old Ossie).

Today, I received word that I will be teaching two online courses this summer.

Of the good: 1. I don't physically have to come to work. 2. I get paid.

Of the bad: What will we do about the kids?

My mind cannot stop spinning to Figure This Out Now. I am not a person who rests easy with uncertainty. I like having decisions made already. We had originally planned to take the kids completely out of daycare starting June 1, when I can be home with them. Then we would commence our summer of abandon, flinging care (and financial security) to the wind!

But now...I'm not so sure that's going to work. My summer workload just reached the tipping point of Too Much: teach two writing intensive classes in a short 8 weeks, do books and paperwork for Jeff's business, bake bread for the CSA, and be full time mama to wild summer children?

We could keep them in daycare, I guess. But! I! dont! want! to! The whole point was to get them out. Back to the drawing board. Again.


Cute picture courtesy of Nana Luby.