Daycare is A-OK care

My child goes to daycare, and that's okay with me.

That's the plan, and it's been the plan since before she was born. Of course I'd love to be financially able to stay home with her everyday. And I could, if my husband and I wanted the bare minimum for our family. But we'd rather live comfortably and be able to give her our absolute best.

I hear such strong opinions about how daycare is bad, and see the stay-at-home moms post their feelings on social media about crazy daycare workers who abuse children. No, if I didn't know my child's caregivers, I wouldn't leave her there. I would never leave her with a complete stranger. Trust me, they'd have to pass a background check and a few (dozen) surprise visits from the hubs. But I do know the fantastic ladies who take care of my sweet girl each weekday, and they're playing a huge part in her life.

I feel like keeping her at home with me would be doing her an injustice. Children are such sponges. They absorb everything, even at the youngest age. I want her to learn from people - not just her father and me. She has to listen to people, communicate with people, respect people outside the walls of our home. That's something she has to learn by example and by practicing it herself. Seeing other children mind their manners, obeying adults when she's told to do something and learning to share/speak/listen/behave/have confidence in herself.. just a few things I hope she finds at daycare. 

Yes, she will learn all of these things at home with her daddy and me. But to see her blossom and grow with the help of others... such an amazing thing. I want her to be a leader. I want her to believe she can move mountains. I want her to be fierce. I want her to want to do good. I want her to believe in herself. As her parents, we will always build her up. But a little push from others goes a long way.

To the stay-at-home moms who have it all figured out, that's awesome! Do what works for you! But I have to admit, pumping milk every day - three and four times a day - at work to make sure my girl gets what she needs.. that makes me feel like quite the superhero.

My child goes to daycare, and that works for me.