Mushiness aside, we have been able to find a solution to our daycare dilemma. A nanny. Someone we know, love and trust. At our house. The pros and cons of this arrangement are many, and we're not sure if and how things will work out for everyone. But we're keeping our fingers and toes crossed that they will. Somehow.
Which naturally leads into Q#2: how are we going to accommodate the needs of a curious child at home? Our house (the disaster zone) is just not set up for a full day of activities come rainy days of fall. So I've pulled together a few images of playrooms that I think will work in our house. Now I just need to find time to plan things out and get started!
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A few things to consider:
- we have to work with furniture we already have. there is no room in our budget for anything brand new at this point (not that I wouldn't work with what I have in the first place)
- chalkboard paint? maybe? yes, please!
- it would be a great way to organize her toys/art/craft supplies and get new ones (budget or no budget, but if she's spending time at home 24/7, she simply needs more. I know a lot of kids have tons of toys, and we're just not that household. I would say that we don't have much and need to strategically improve here)
- we have TONS of her art from daycare to decorate walls with! I think it will give her a bit of comfort and help with transition.
- we will be responsible for all meals. One of the great things about daycare is that they feed the kids. We never had to worry about anything other than dinner. Now I have to worry about everything + nanny. Which is perfectly fine, even getter in some respects. But still increased workload for me.
- oh, and one more thing. The room that we would use for a playroom is currently our dumping ground for all the tools and 20+ boxes of hardwood. Time to move up the reno schedule!
- we have booked her in language school on Saturday mornings to give her some classroom time and time with other kids.
The hugest drawback is lack of play with kids her age. Which kills me. Thankfully, our reno will be done soon (ish) and will leave us lots of time for playdates. This change is brining such turmoil to our lives, I just can't really wrap my head around it. I seriously can't. But things always happen for a reason. Lets hope its a good one!
WOW, you're a "Take the bull by the horns" kind of problem solver.
ReplyDeleteSounds like C will have a wonderful place to grow.
Raina, I have a lot of help :) but yes, I like to solve problems asap, before they drive me to drink :)
DeleteI'm not a fan of home schooling and think she'll miss out on interaction with peers, but for now this is the best we can do. We'll just have to get creative with playgroups and activities.
I love all those room examples, we are starting to re-think our playroom now that the kids are getting older and have different needs.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a nanny she can take C to different playgroups and activities with other kids close to your home.
It sounds like the nanny will just take care of C, correct? No nanny sharing? Be aware of nanny sharing for insurance reasons - your home insurance will not cover other kids and if you get caught they will cancel your insurance.
Guilia,
Deletewe have a few concerns with playgroups. I don't want my kid in a car with anyone other than hubby and myself. I know I'm paranoid, but that's just how things are. We are trying to get on a list for a daycare we have in mind, but that might or might not work out. So we'll see. Because we're working to incorporate 2 more langauges in addition to English and French, our needs are a bit tricky. Hence, nanny who speaks the language due jour.
Also, the nanny will be one-on-one 3 days a week only. We're going to be juggling the other 2 days ourselves (god help us). Until we find a more permanent solution.
Honestly, this entired situation makes me a little sick with all the factors and uncertainty. But we're doing the best we can in the timeframe that we have. Planning the playroom is my attempt to control at least something about this entire situation and take my mind off "what ifs".
I admire your proactiveness! We've used daycare and in-home childcare, too. Are half-day preschools also an option where you live? We've had a lot of luck with a part-time nanny plus half-day preschool.
ReplyDeleteHush, unfortunately we're too young for half-day preschool :) in another year that would be my ideal solution.
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