Decisions, Decisions

When I was going back to work, we didn't have many options on where to have Lucas go to daycare. We knew we had an in at the Carriage House and I knew it was a great program. But it was a lot of money. There was another center closer to home that we put our name on the waiting list but they said they probably didn't have a spot for us then. They called at one point and asked if we were still interested and I said no.

Well, now we are thinking of persuing this second site. After all of us visiting it and getting all the details, I think it is going to be a better fit for our family. The care Lucas has received at the Carriage House has been wonderful; the enrichment activities they do with him are great and the location is conveinent for both Marc and I. But (and yes, I am going to sound like one of those mothers), I have some issues with the room Lucas will probably go into next year. Having worked at the Carriage House, I know the feel of the room is different-the teachers tend to be a bit more stressed. Lucas is a sensitive little guy and I think he will pick up on the stress and it will make him anxious-OK, just trust me on this. Every time I walk by the room, it feels different from the environment in the other rooms. And the families, though very nice, are all local to the neighborhood-we don't have much interaction with them outside of dropping off and picking up. And the cost is something to consider-child care is not cheap in Pittsburgh and not that I want to go the budget route with his care but we need to consider our budget. I am going to need a new car this year and if we can save $1000 a year in child care, it is something to consider.

After looking at the other site, they are accredited just like the Carriage House; some of the teachers have been working there for 10+ years, just like the Carriage House; they do music and art and go outside (they have a beautiful garden courtyard that the rooms look out to and they use it a lot) and have a gym, just like the Carriage House. They don't provide lunch in the cost of tuition but there is a program we can enroll in for an extra fee a month. And the biggest issue for me right now, these are families who are like us-socio economically and location. The children in this program are probably ones Lucas will be going to school with. And playdates will be more realistic-which is something that will be more and more important to me (and Lucas) in the near future.

Ugh-Marc and I have been talking a lot about it and even though we are pretty sure we will leave the Carriage House, we have to still sign the official papers to enroll. Marc gave a verbal commitment to the new site today.

And now the guilt-when Lucas and I were leaving yesterday, the director saw us. She waved and said good bye to Lucas and to that she would see him tomorrow. One of Lucas' current teachers always calls him her snuggle bug-she dotes on him and he really really likes her. I know Lucas is young and he will adapt to the new site but it is breaking my heart thinking about having to drop him off in August at a new place and the confusion he will feel. I am hoping maybe we can do some transitioning with him over the summer.