News at Home: Does the stress ever end?
Honestly, it was a good week. I love my job and it’s working out really well. I was super busy this week, but in a good way and I enjoyed pretty much every minute. It’s like my life has flip-flopped. Work used to be place of stress, now it’s home. And like with work, it’s a happy stress. Just as I loved my job, I love my life. But OMG it’s stressful y’all!
Dante is still fighting his cold. Which means he’s been off and on with a low-grade fever. This has caused a lot of stress, not due to worry because I know that a low-grade fever is productive and is his immune system getting stronger and fighting the cold. It’s stressful because if he runs a fever over 100.3 he can’t go to daycare for 24 hours. And I get it. They need to make it as germ-free an environment as possible, so that everyone doesn’t get sick. I get it
But we spend a lot of money on daycare ($225/week!) and it’s not like they say, “Dante didn’t come in today, so here’s a discount.” You pay the same whether baby goes in or not. And I get that too – it’s not like because he wasn’t there for the day they filled his spot for 1 day with another baby. So they need the money for his spot. I get it.
But if he stays home, one of us has to too. Because we really don’t have anyone who can watch him for us. My brother helped out in one emergency, but that’s not really a great option because of his epilepsy. And Tequilla helped out one time, watching him in the office. But that’s not a great option because she has work to do, she can’t keep him in the office all the time. We need a backup. But we don’t have one and so one of us will have to stay home.
The good news? We both have jobs where that’s feasible. The bad news? Because of the money, my husband gets PISSED thinking of us taking a day of work. So we’ve argued so much about giving Dante Tylenol. He wants to give it to him at the hint of a fever, so he can make it through daycare. I don’t want to over do it, because one I don’t want him to get reliant on medicine. I want him to develop that immune system. I also don’t want him to get so that Tylenol doesn’t work because his body is just used to it. I’m thinking long term and my husband is just thinking about the cost of daycare. I told him he needs to think more about Dante’s overall health and not just money. Those were apparently fighting words. **sigh**
And then on Friday we had the storms that were forecasted to bring hail and tornadoes. So, of course, daycare responded like the public schools and shut down early. We had to get Dante picked up by 3:30. I was able to leave work and it was fine. But Kiko’s response was that they aren’t a public school. We pay for them, so they don’t get to close whenever public school does. My thought is, if it’s potentially dangerous enough that school districts are closing, don’t we want Dante home with us? Anyway, he’s gone so far as to say it’s not going to work and he wants us to find a different child care option. And I really don’t want to. I like them. I drop him off every day and feel like he’s going to be taken care of. I have anxiety about how he’ll do, but not because I think he won’t be safe. I don’t want to look for a cheaper option were I will potentially feel a lot less safe. I have a feeling this argument will be going on for a while, until Dante isn’t fighting his cold. And then will reoccur every time they’re closed or he gets sick.
I know it’s a lot of money, but is it really when you think that it’s about someone taking good care of your child for 10 hours a day, Monday – Friday. That’s 50 hours. And they’re open 12 hours a day, so I could drop him off earlier and pick him up later, I just don’t want/need to. I think this week was exacerbated because the apartments have an inspection coming up, so he’s working overtime (even worked Saturday) and those hours are HARD work. So he’s feeling like he works too hard for his money to ever have Dante stay home.
Anyway that was my week. Good but stressful.
Blog News
Y’all I will blog this week. I will. I wrote a post Monday, but then Tuesday and Thursday I met my brother for lunch. And then Wednesday and Friday I worked through lunch. So I only got in one day of blogging. I don’t see any reason for that to happen this week, so fingers crossed I’ll FINALLY get into a good blogging rhythm.
COYER is going great for me! The best it’s gone in a couple years. I finished another Buddy read (with Anne this time) yesterday, and managed to read two books for the readathon. It was really important to me that I read 1 book for Tiffany and 1 book for Grace, so I’m glad I did manage that. I got very emotional about this readathon and I love the idea that we read books they didn’t get a chance to.
Last Week on the Blog
- [7 Jan] Monthly Book Report ~ End of Year Book Report 2019
- [8 Jan] Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett ★★★½
- [10 Jan] #FitReaders ~ January 1 – 4 Update
- [11 Jan] #MyTBRL ~ 2020 Winner for January is…..
- [12 Jan] The Sunday Post ~ Reading, Blogging and now I’m sick ~ Week in READview!
- [12 Jan] Sunday Post with Berls ~ Does the stress ever end?
Coming Next Week From Me
I really don’t know, but I’m gonna try to get back on track!
Ugh… so sorry to have that stress. I totally understand where Kiko is coming from, but I agree with your view on things. I hope D gets healthy and the school stays open! xo
I think that’s the hard thing about the argument. I get it. It’s expensive and we both work really hard for the money we have. Which is why we chose the most affordable option we could find that still checked the important boxes. *sigh*
Thankfully Dante seems to be feeling much better this week *knocks on wood*
Have a great week!
Child care is stressful, and expensive, but honestly if you, and the baby, are happy with the care he is getting, stand your ground, care nd safety is worth the extra bucks. You might want to look into options for alternate care through a local college that has child care courses, students are generally flexible enough to deal with sick days.
Wishing you a great reading week, and good health
That’s such a good idea! I mean, I’m sure my husband will throw a fit that we’re both paying for someone to babysit while paying for daycare (because you pay even when they stay home) but like you said, care and safety is worth the money. It’s either that or we can stay home from work.
My job has a benefit for backup care as well, actually. But it’s more expensive than our daycare :/
Hope you’re having a great week 🙂
I am glad you are enjoying your new job and that is a bummer that it’s been kind of stressful with the new baby being sick and daycare stuff. Hope the little guy gets to feeling better and can beat that cold so things run a bit smoother!
Have a great week and happy reading!
Stormi
Thanks Stormi. He’s been doing really well this week *knocks on wood* so I’m hopeful that we’re out of the woods for a little while. He has his 4 month shots next week, so that will be another adventure.
Hope you’re having a great week!
I totally get what you’re saying. I would probably feel the same way. I’m sure you’ll get it all worked out, especially as he gets older with a stronger immune system. I’m sorry its causing stress with your husband. I hope this week is less stressful.
Thanks Melanie. I think my husband gets it too, but is just frustrated by the expense. Which I DO understand. Thankfully Dante seems to be feeling better this week, so things have gotten a lot less stressful 🙂
Hope you’re having a great week!
Daycare is so expensive and then to have to pay when they are out too just to hold their place. I get it, but it does make it hard on the budget. I hope Dante is feeling 100% soon, Berls. I am so glad though to hear you are enjoying your job! I hope work for your husband settles down some. I know how work stress can cause stressors at home, especially around money. Sending big hugs your way! I am glad to hear COYER is going well for you this season! I hope you continue to enjoy your reading. Have a great week, Berls.
Thanks so much 🙂 Dante seems to be doing a lot better this week, so I’m hopeful that we’re out of the woods for a little bit. The stress has been significantly less as a result. It’s hard because it all makes sense, it’s just hard to make it work financially. But who ever said babies are cheap, right?
Hope you’re having a great week!
Yup. I get it. We had a daycare associated with school when my daughter was a baby. Unfortunately we only had about 2 weeks vacation and the big holidays like New Years, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day , Thanksgiving and Christmas as paid holidays. But the school took off 2 weeks just at Winter break, plus spring break, a week school out and summer, summer and fall, not to mention MLK, President’s Day, Good Friday, Easter, Veteran’s Day etc.. Even if we each took all our vacation days separately and never took an actual vacation, we didn’t have enough days. And we didn’t have backup either. We did a variety of things and luckily were able to make it work but when she was sick it just added to the days we didn’t have available.
So I hope Dante feels great soon and is a healthy baby. I am so happy your job is working out well because you don’t need that to be a problem. It’s a new routine and you are just starting so take a deep breath and know it may not be easy but it is worth it.
I hope you have a great week and some good reads!
Anne – Books of My Heart Here is my Sunday Post
OH gosh that must have been hard Anne. I do have to say I’m thankful that looking at the daycare’s calendar, they are only closed days that I also have off (benefit of working for a state university – state holidays!). So at least we only have to worry about sick days and inclement weather days (which I wouldn’t plan on going to work those days anyway). It’s been better this week so far, because Dante has been feeling a lot better. Trying to take those deep breaths and just know we will get through it and all be happier and stronger for it. I mean, I know Dante’s immune system is going to be stronger long term because of being in daycare. IT’s just hard now.
HOpe you’re having a great week 🙂
Ouch! Arguments like that are never fun but you just have to do what you feel is best for Dante. My thing was always what can I live with/without? Money is important and you work hard for it but it isn’t everything, you know? Peace of mind and a healthy, happy, kid? That’s priceless. Good luck! I hope Dante beats his cold soon so things calm down.
My thoughts exactly Nicci. I think my husband gets it, but just thinks we (meaning I) haven’t looked for less expensive options diligently enough. I have and there are cheaper options out there – like in home, unlicensed providers. I don’t want that for Dante. If they can’t get a license, I can’t help but think why and what will that mean for his safety? Dante’s doing better this week, though, and the stress is significantly less as a result.
Hope you’re having a great week!