Part-Time Day Care and Sleepless Nights

It’s been a hectic almost 2 weeks now. We’re in the process of trying to find part time care for pooter and this has truly been a challenge. I had no idea how overwhelming this task would be. Between myself, my mom, and husband, we’ve contacted well over 50 providers in our area for in-home day care services. The answer for the most part have all been the same.

1. We left a message and received no call back
2. No part-time openings
3. We might have an opening but check back with me at the end of the summer

You have no idea how frustrating this has been. On top of that, there were about 7 providers we visited – and out of the 7 – this is what we thought:

1. We didn’t care for the layout of the home (to small of a crawl space for pooter or to large)
2. The provider didn’t have a true curriculum or program (which we would like some type of structure even if it’s free play for 3 hours something)
3. The provider just didn’t stick out as the right person.

And then after all of these interviews we finally met a provider that didn’t have everything we wanted (at least 3 other kids, been in business for some time, etc) there was something about her demeanor that I think pooter will get one on one care and she just left me feeling at ease that pooter will be well taken care of.

These days pooter is crawling all over the place (he started crawling this past weekend) and we thought it would be a good idea for pooter to go somewhere part time for his social interaction with other kids. Pooter is very active, extremely sociable, and loves to play – so we figured now was an ideal time to welcome these positive traits and not hinder him. The other days our family watches him.

Now onto a more CHALLENGING topic we’re facing – pooter doesn’t sleep through the night! I can write pages and pages on this and the thought of how little sleep my husband and I have gotten the past few nights makes me tired just thinking about it. During pooters well visit, the pediatrician said at 9 months he should be sleeping through the night, let him cry it out a little. I don’t know what hurts more, having pooter wake up at midnight and 3am for about an hour or having him just cry when he awakes waiting for mommy and daddy to pick him up.

Parenthood has is many things – beautiful, wonderful, love, tired at times J, just a pure blessing. But one thing parenthood isn’t is TEXTBOOK. My little one will sleep through the night eventually, and until that day comes….oh wellJ