Many women have cravings throughout their pregnancies. Pickles, ice, even cravings for coal are fairly common. Kerry must have been secretly scoffing nuclear waste throughout her pregnancy with Evan, it’s the only way to explain his gargantuan size.
It’s not just his size either. His communication has recently gone from coos and gurgles to a variety of shrieks and raspberries. He has started to grab random objects and fling them around destructively. And since starting solids he has developed the ability to emit highly toxic substances from his body.
In short, I believe he is mutating into Godzilla. Or Godzuki at the very least.
Yet despite this transformation this week he has appeared very small. Monday was Evan’s first day of nursery. Kerry returns to work in a couple of weeks and so we’ve started him a little bit early in order that we can iron out any problems if they occur.
For both Kerry and I this feels too early. Kerry has had 6 months maternity leave, and we just can’t afford for her to be off any longer, but neither of us really feels comfortable in handing him over to some virtual strangers for the day.
It’s not like this is new to us, Amy went to nursery at six months old but she started on one and a half days rather than three. We are luckier than most working parents, both Kerry and I only work four days a week and our kids will be at home more days than they are in daycare. But it still feels like we are short changing him somehow.
As well as the guilt we are going to have to deal with the sheer practicalities of getting both kids to nursery. When I am on an early I set off for work at 7:30, nursery opens at 8:00 and Kerry’s train is around 8:15. There isn’t much space for error. On the two trial runs we’ve had this week we’ve managed to get them there for 10am and 11am.
I think we may have to up our game.
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That is harsh. Any chance your workplaces might work with you a little on this?
Both our workplaces are pretty flexible already. I work compressed hours and have every wednesday guarenteed off. Kerry used to work three days a week but got promoted to a full time job – which they allowed her to make part time and so she has fridays off. She’s had six months maternity leave, most of which has been on full pay.
One of us could quit our jobs of course, but that would put us just above the povety line and we would certainly have to move. Neither of us really makes enough money to financially support the other to not work.
Hope it all works out smoothly for all of you. Sounds like there is going to have to be a lot of getting stuff ready the night before. I have gotten into a habit of getting my clothes and bag ready for the following day the night before (when I’m at work) and it still pleasantly surprises me with what a difference this makes – extra minutes in bed and no running around like a headless chicken.
That is always such a tough event to deal with. I wish you comfort and luck as you work through this.
Oh, and thanks for the linkage :-)
Cute pic!
You know, studies have shown that there are a lot of benefits to day care for children. They do better in school, make friends easier and are generally more adjusted. I know that doesn’t make it any easier for you when you miss your little Droolzilla, but maybe it might ease the guilt a little.
I think most of the studies are for kids over about 18 months. we certainly wouldn’t want to take amy out of nursery, even if one of us didn’t work. she gets far too much out of it.
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