Snips and Snails and Puppydog Tails

Just a forewarning, I’m going to rant a little bit here. But first, some facts and back story. Fact: Sam’s daycare is very good and he’s happy there. Fact: I really am very pleased with the care he gets there and all of the teachers and staff I’ve met. (Okay, maybe those first two are opinions, but whatever – my blog, my call) Fact: Sam’s daycare is open until 6:30. Fact: I am hourly and have to get in 8 hours a day. Since I usually don’t get into the office before 9 am, I can’t leave before 5:15 or 5:30 pm. Fact: Traffic in Fort Worth on I-35 at any time other than about 3 am is awful, and my 14-mile commute is typically about 45 minutes, longer if there’s a wreck, a traffic violation, or someone picking his nose behind the wheel. This often means that Sam is one of the last babies in the nursery when I pick him up.

Back Story: On Tuesday, I was able to pick Sam up from daycare just after 5 pm. I chatted quickly with the teachers and got the low-down on how Sam’s day had been. As I was loading him in his carrier, I heard the assistant say that another kiddo’s mommy (a kiddo who is also usually there late in the day) was also there. They both were pleased at that, but the teacher then said, “well, we’ll still be here till 6:30, of course” in a tone that clearly said that even though the two late-leavers were already picked up, something would surely happen to not allow them to leave before 6:30. I was mostly preoccupied with getting Sam loaded up and getting his bags (bottle and diaper) and didn’t think much about it until I was in the car.

Now for the Rant: I understand that these ladies have lives outside of work; I really do. I understand that there are going to be days when they want or need to leave before 6:30. But GUESS WHAT? The daycare is open until 6:30, and your shift doesn’t end until 6:30, so don’t you dare make me feel bad that I sometimes can’t get there to pick up my child until 6:30! Do you think I LIKE leaving my baby with someone else all day? Do you think I LIKE having to drop him off, then rush off to battle a 45-minute commute to a job that I increasingly hate, to battle another 45-minute commute to pick up my angel, with whom YOU have gotten to cuddle, play, feed, and soothe all day? I am GLAD, really, I am, that my son has so bonded with you that he smiles when he sees you, and sometimes dives into your arms the way he dives into mine. It makes me feel good that I see you loving on him – hugging and kissing his cheeks – it makes me feel less anxious about leaving him all day with someone else. But please, please, don’t insinuate that it puts you out or is inconvenient to you that I might need to actually use your services for the full time I’m paying for them. Don’t judge me by the time I’m able to pick up my son from daycare.

Thank you, that is all.