@#$&ing Toddler Room

Norah is in daycare two days a week; Tuesdays and Thursdays. Here's how it's set up: There's the Infant Room, which is divided into two areas. One is for mobile babies and the other for immobile babies. The Infant Room is wonderful. The care providers are gentle, caring, fun, and overall awesome. Norah loves them. She even pointed to a picture of one of the gals and said "Mama." Granted, that killed a little part of my soul, but I was also glad that she loved her.

There is also the Toddler Room and the Preschool Room. When kids hit 16 months, they transition to the Toddler Room. The age range there is large. 16 months to I think around 3 years. So you've got kids who can't talk and kids who are very verbal. Some need their nuks, some can use the toilet. While it's a good learning opportunity, it poses some problems. And it's not just the age range that I'm concerned with.

There are too many kids per teachers. Some of the kids are too rowdy. The lead teacher seems like a bitch. Every time I talk to her, she says something odd or bitter. There are too many rules about nuks and stuffed animals and naps and everything. These are my chief complaints.

But there are good things, too. Lots of activities, toys, outside play time, interaction with older kids, and it's right across the parking lot from where I work. I love that.

And some kids get used to it and have a blast there. There were a bunch of little ones running around, laughing, when I dropped off Norah.

Of course, Norah clung to me. And she cried when I left. And she always cries when I leave. Last Thursday she didn't stop crying, and they called me. Grandma to the rescue, thank God.

I'm not sure what to do. Do we give it a few more weeks to see if she warms up to it? What if she doesn't and she's just miserable for a few weeks? I don't think I could stand that. Do I just take her out and find a new daycare? Will that just cause more upheaval? What if it's just as bad?

New plan: start buying lotto tickets. Then daycare can suck it and Norah can stay home with Mama.