It’s Thursday and time to take a parent time out.
As a stay at home parent I know how exhausting it can be to
have a toddler glued to my hip 24/7. Albeit rewarding beyond materialistic
measure and I wouldn’t trade Calvin for anything, parents still need a little
break sometimes too.
Not everyone has family nearby, or if they do the family
members might have full schedules and may not be able to babysit so a parent
can break away for some along time. I’m
in the second category and I discovered drop-in care with the local daycare.
Drop-in care is cool and convenient as you pay a fee for the day which typically
will cover food. All is needed is diapers, wipes a backup outfit and any other
age appropriate supplies. For my two year old it is pull-ups, wipes and a
backup outfit, oh and a spill proof cup. The daycare provides all food and
drinks.
If drop in care is affordable in your area, seriously utilize
it! Even if once only once or twice month. In our little town the local daycare
is $30 a day, at a North Dallas daycare close to where we use to live was $50 a
day. Drop in care obviously will have a wide range of cost from region to
region.
The first daycare Calvin was in as an infant was a horrible
experience and I completely understan d being leery of strangers, but there are plenty
of great care givers out there. Listen to your kids cues, their attitudes about
going to the daycare. Are they happy and excited or do they totally melt down
at the mention of daycare. I recommend
dropping in at a different time other than when they are expecting you just to
see what’s going on when they aren’t expecting a look over.
Go get a manicure, meet a friend for lunch, grocery shop in
peace. Everyone needs some along time or me time as some call. Me time can be
whatever you want it to be. Say NO to guilt!
Give yourselves some time too moms and dads!
