The countdown has begun. As I write this, I'm exactly 26 days from my official due date. My level of anticipation and anxiety over the pending birth of my baby reveals itself everywhere -- the little calendars scribbled in random notebooks, dayrunners tracking the countdown, not to mention the monthly calendar on my refrigerator, all covered with daily slash marks. In many ways, it feels like I've been pregnant forever and I've gotten very tired of wearing the same six things time and again. I long for my lean suits and fitted shirts…
Even though time seems to be standing still, there are some big issues to resolve before this baby's arrival. We're prepared with the bassinet, scores of tiny t-shirts, a bouncy chair, etc., but I still don't know who will watch this child once I return to work. Although still many months away, I'm certain these coveted weeks at home will slip by much more quickly than these last few weeks of pregnancy and I want to have the child care issue squared away.
I know the options that are out there: au-pairs, nannies, day care centers. The challenge is locating one with availabilities in March and with fees that I can live with. I've known about the escalating costs of finding quality care for kids and I've heard the stressful stories about commuting across town and nannies who move on, but only now is it really sinking in. I've encountered six month waiting lists, highly recommended nannies who decide not to move to San Francisco and mothers who guard their babysitter referrals like found gold. Searching during the holiday period is bound to bring other complications as well.
I'm doing what I can as a mom-to-be who knows she's going back to work: I've mined great resources (like CareGuide) and have my checklists in order, know what to ask, what to look for. Now, it's a question of diligence and a healthy dose of good luck!
Anne's Diary - A mom's adventure in child care - Week 31
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Anne's Diary - A mom's adventure in child care - Week 1