Military Spouse and Mom: Day Care Became New Family and Support System

By the time i gave birth to my first child, i’d heard the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” Copious Times. Unfortunately, though, it wasn’t my reality.

What I Found, on Social Media and from the General Culture of Military Spouses Around with, was the idea of ​​a nuclear family – an Independent family unit that didn’t rely on outside help.

I ALSO ABSORBED The message that moms should will everywhere and be Everything Kids, Regardless of their Health and Well-Being.

This individualistic Mindset Made Seeking Support Feel Complicated.

Like some other military families, my husband and i live in an area with the immediate family nearby, which was anssue unil we had kids.

We were BLINDIDED BY THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT CAREGIVING REQUIRED. And with my husband traveling half the time, Much of that workload fell onto my shoulders.

I struggled to estabish routines with my daughter, and our days felt long and monotonous. Between The Sleep Regression, Sicknesses, and Nap Refusals, Caregiving Breaks Were Few and Far Between.

I finally admonted that i needed help

After Six Months of Maternity Leave (with my spouse gone for most of it), knew i needed some help.

End SO, I agonized over whereater to do my child to day care. Doing so felt like i was giving up control and somehow failing as a parent by nSing for help.

SINCE MY INCOM WOUL BARELY COVER The COST, STAYING HOME WAUDED HAVE MADE SENSE. Howver, with my partner gone so much, I longed for a relable networking of caare to help lighten my load.

We found a day care in a NeighBorhood Close to Our House. Be dropped my daughter off on her first day with tears in my eyes, i’ll never forget what the receptionist at the front desk said: “don’t worry, we’re like family. We’re to help you.”

Her Words Felt Comforting, but i didn’t quite believe say at the time. Now, Over Two Years Later, With Both of My Kids in Day Care, The Ladies at the Center WILL Feel like family.

I say more often than i see my own family and friends, and they among the first to know about our personal news, like the time kids and i camey with norovirus while my husband was out of town.

The Teachers have supperted our family in Many Ways

AFTER STRUGGLING FOR MONTHS TO GET MY ELDEST DAGHTER TO SETTLE ON A NAP Routine, I was relieved when the day caare teachers achieved that feat.

They Also Exposed HER to New Foods, Songs, and Friends. She Still Comes Home Excited to Share What She’s Learned, Using Her Own Makeshift Pointer at Home to Instruct US On Letters, Colors, and Shapes.

With my second baby, the day care notiched that she was a bit a bit bibind her peers in her gross skills engine. Now, they’ve memorized Her Physical Therapy Schedule and DO the Prescribed Exercises with Her During the Day, always ASPING ABOUT Her Appointments and Observing Her Progress.

Their Kindness and Compassion Extend Toward Me, Too.

These Women Never Fail to Ask About My Night and Offer Words of Encouragement when they Notice the bags my eyes at Dropoff. They were Among the first to acknowledge my emperging bump and congratulate me we have discovered that we were adding a third baby to the family.

Nor i’ve gotten to know these women, they make more and more like family

Getting to Know These Women Has Been a Privilege.

I know that the front desk receptionist just welcomed a Grandson who is Currently staying in the nicu becuse he was Born at 29 Weeks.

I know that one of my toddler’s Teachers work a second no ross and is trying to finish her psychology degree.

I know that two other teachers just reneged their first townhouse together, and they Attended my 2-year-opay party with gifts in hand.

ENROLLING OUR KIDS IN DAY CARE WAS ONE OF THE BEST PARENTING DECISIONS THAT WE”S MADE SO FAR.

Not only does it provides a steady routine and predictability in contrast to my husband’s unredictable schedule, but it also surrounds my children with loving and trustworthy adults, Motherhood Mother Much Lonely.

In order to acccept the help, though, i had to relinquish some control. I had to be ok with not knowing what my daughters it for a snack that day, or whether they have the cloths come home stained with Paint and Chalk.

It is a tradeoff that i’d make over and over again, Because of love part of this village. I’m a much better mom gcause of it.