I do want to be working, but finding something right now is SO hard. And, I know, I will go batty being at home also! But, there is nothing great out there right now, so maybe like you said, I need to take time off until I find the right place. I understand the struggle and sacrifices we will have to make while I am out of work, but right now, it is out of my control. I have interviewed, put my resume into what seems like 100 places, and still, NOTHING. And the places that seem good, are about 45 minutes to an hour away and to me, it is not worth it for me to pick up Luke at 6:30 p.m. and only have an hour to spend with him before he is in bed.

Is it too much to ask for the right job to come along Ha!

Well, Let’s make plans for a weekend in late February or early March. We can drive out to visit with you guys in Daytona. Let us know what weekends are good for you guys and we can set a date. Cannot wait to catch up and to see Zeke. Last time we saw him he was an itty bitty baby!!

Putting Zeke in day care was extremely difficult. We LOVED his daycare in Altamonte, though, and felt really comfortable. In fact when we moved to Daytona, his daycare was one of the things holding me back from making the decision. Finding the right daycare is so important!!! His daycare/preschool is perfect right now because it is a part of our church, and Josh is literally steps away from Zeke at all times!

I really love working, but staying at home was a pretty sweet gig. Yes, it has its challenges and being a mom is extremely difficult no matter what. But having been both a stay at home mom and a working mom, I know that for me, staying at home was easier. But I love being out of the house and knowing that Zeke is being taken care of. I did go a little batty sometimes when I was home with him. There are so many pro’s and cons to both scenarios.

For us, it was really a financial decision. We had to put him in daycare so I could do my internship, and then of course I wanted to use my shiny new degree! I ended up getting a great job that I should not have gotten in the first place–things really fell into place for us. That’s another factor you have to consider. If you’re not finding something that meets your needs, maybe you need to take some time off. And you know, if you can’t find anything you may just need some more time to look. You can spend some time with Luke in that waiting period. You may find that financially you can stay home for a little while as you look for something absolutely perfect for you if you do want to go back to work.

There are so many things to consider. I feel your stress. I was so torn over this issue, and I still struggle with it, especially after having 5 days off! Are you sure you want to go back to work at all? Or are you thinking you may just need a little time off to line up something new?

On the other hand, he loves his daycare. So, I’m torn. Any suggestions?

That’s what I do. I raise other people’s kids.
(And no, I don’t really think that way.)

It amazes me when parents are picking up or dropping off and they say something to me like, “I could never do what you do!”

I take care of children in a before/after school program. I care about every single child. My husband teases me and tells me I should just wear a shirt that says “everyone’s mom”.

I’ve been on all sides of most of the issues, I think. Baby #1 was breast fed for a short time, then switched to formula. Baby #2 did the whole extended nursing/co-sleeping/attachment parenting. Both are healthy, happy adults now. One child was in day care for awhile, the other was not.

There is so much validity to just letting everyone do what works for them and shutting the hell up if you don’t like it or don’t agree with it. Not your child, not your problem. Obviously I’m not talking about turning a blind eye to abuse or neglect, but other people’s choices are, well, other people’s choices. I’m sure many of my choices have raised eyebrows, too.