Last week, I put my children in the care of church nursery workers for the very first time. It was a big step for me and my kids and a great leap towards lessening my babysitter anxiety.
A friend of mine had invited me to a bible study at church (I KNOW! Me? At a bible study!?) for women who’ve just moved and I was immediately interested when she told me that they offered free childcare. I think you can see where my priorities are. The bible? Yeah it’s fine, but FREE CHILDCARE!?! Sold!
Since I’ve never done anything like this before, I had no idea what to expect when leaving my children at a church nursery, but certainly I expected much gushing over my precious children. I fretted over all the details and logistics of having someone else care for my kids. Carefully I selected darling outfits that would make Carson and Ella look especially charming and cooperative. I made sure that their noses weren’t crusted with snot and their fingers weren’t sticky from syrup. Well dressed kids with snot-free faces=good parenting, right?
Along with their carefully selected clothes, I made sure they each had plenty of diapers and wipes, and packed them each snacks. Apparently the snacks I’d packed were a giant FAIL! Without thinking, I’d sent peanut butter crackers for their snack. FAIL. I realize how important it is for child care providers to be diligent about peanut products, so I felt like an idiot. They also have a policy against juice boxes, which I’d lovingly sent for both Carson and Ella. Double FAIL.
Instead of hearing how cute and well-behaved my children were, I got the ol’ stink eye* from the nursery workers.
PS. It’s possible I just imagined them giving me the stink eye.
PPS. We went back to the church nursery this week with PROPER snacks in addition to their snazzy duds. Still no gushing over how awesome my kids are, though???
PPPS. The bible study is surprisingly great. Everyone is so kind and this group has really been helpful in working through some of the anger and bitterness related to this move**. I’m so glad I decided to join despite this being something completely out of my norm and comfort zone.
*Phrase courtesy of Heidi.
**I just re-read the comments on that post. THOSE comments are why I appreciate you all and want to give you free stuff.
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This contest is OVER!
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You know those people that only leave comments when they want somethin’ free? Yeah, I’m that person.
Lisa´s lastest post..Another Boring Lunch
I had to run to the store late last night because I realized I would need a healthy snack for playgroup today….I have been handing out the leftover Halloween candy.
So at least you didn’t pack them a snickers!
Amy´s lastest post..Star Fruit
So sweet! What a great giveaway!
I’m giving away a family board game on my blog. Be sure to come by!
http://nowenteringmomville.blogspot.com
quitecontrary1977@hotmail.com
This is SUCH a fun month!
Carrie´s lastest post..Implosion
dropping off my little 18 month old is so difficult. We have day care at my gym and he always goes into hysterics. It’s hard for me to enjoy my workout (not that I really would enjoy sweating my face off) with him screaming a little bit away.
I can’t believe they weren’t falling all over themselves over Ella and Carson, what’s wrong with them?
Glad you’ve found an outlet and some fellowship.
Hugs darlin’
Stink eye is my favorite phrase ever. That squirrel is giving me the stink eye. I gave the student texting during class the stink eye. Stink eye! Stink eye!!
NGS´s lastest post..45 x 365 #15
Wait, I get the no peanut policy but what’s the deal w/ the juice boxes? No comprende, amiga.
Also, pick me for the gift certificate!!!
CharmingBitch´s lastest post..Day 8 Read These People
Is it because juice boxes can spill easier than say sippy cups?? Strange. But as a mom of a kid with peanut allergies, I appreciate the places that don’t allow it!
cgogis at yahoo dot com
Wow…there’s so much stuff I’d love to buy from Olliebolen. Great gift ideas!!!
As a child with nut allergies, I understand the “No nuts” rule. I don’t get the juicebox rule.
Mags´s lastest post..Sunday,,,A Day of Rest!
Sistah, just want to say a HUGE thank you for being understanding about peanut allergies. My daughter is allergic to peanuts (WAH), and MAN some people can get irate about being asked to not bring peanuty stuff to preschools/day care centers/etc.
*mwah*
Christine´s lastest post..Horse Manure!
Snack Fail, Oh no! I’m just glad my son isn’t in the older kids room yet where we have to take turns bringing snacks… how do you come up with a snack for an entire group of kids that doesn’t a) break the bank and b) can’t have about a million foods in it that kids are allergic to!
Well, I thought the snack was perfectly okay. Looked good to me. Guess as a first time mommy to be I have no freaking idea how to think about things like that yet.
I get the peanut butter thing but what is the problem with juice boxes?
Talina´s lastest post..Lookie what I got…
Yeah, I’m one of those moms. I get in trouble when I don’t halve the grapes. Tres Ridiculous, no?
Mama DB´s lastest post..rant.
I would totally fail the snack thing. Juiceboxes are a staple around here.
Katie´s lastest post..1 Month
No juiceboxes? What is up with these people?
What is allowed, just sippys?
Maybe all the childcare workers are blind. Otherwise they would have made a comment on how adorable your children are. Seriously. Or maybe they are overwhelmed by the cuteness and don’t want the other parents to feel bad…
we live on the juice boxes.. well the kids do.. what the heck? i say
Oops, well, you can’t win them all over. Our nursery workers do gush over my child….every time we’re there. But I don’t see them do this as much with others. I feel a bit bad. Oh well, I gush over my child too, so I can understand why they do.
Mommy Daisy´s lastest post..Giveaway Alert!!
Seriously, churches just need to add a Starbucks in the lobby area, and every parent would be there. Starbucks + free childcare = WIN!!
And, I’m sure the only reason they’re not gushing over your children is out of pity and concern for the other children who’s feelings might be trampled.
Glad you’ve found a good support group!
PsychMamma´s lastest post..Indianapolis Children’s Museum
[...] forget, you can still enter the Oliebollen.com giveaway until tomorrow [...]
Snack Fail – too funny. I would never have guessed that there was a policy against juice boxes – odd. I get the pb thing though.
I’d love to get my nephew’s name in crayon for his bedroom wall. How adorable!
I always put more thought into dressing my kids to impress than I give to myself. Although I care more that my nose is snot free than theirs.
Stimey´s lastest post..Why I Love My Kids’ Elementary School
Just like when I brought snacks for after the soccer game two weeks ago and some moms were freaked that I brought the kids “Nutter Butters” like they were all unhealthy or something. I mean, the kids just ran their asses off for like an hour, what’s wrong with a few cookies??
Lee´s lastest post..THE Original Mom Without A Blog
Whoops! At least you are getting out & meeting new people, dear. Kudos on that front.
Anglophile Football Fanatic´s lastest post..Where’s Shania Twain When You Need Her?
What’s wrong with juice boxes???? I had no idea this was a rule!
Oh, please enter me in the contest!
Ok even though it’s been said already…the peanut butter makes sense, but are you supposed to send each of them with a gallon of juice or what?
Jeremy´s lastest post..Everyone Hates Bill Collectors – If They’re Wasting Your Time, Why Not Return The Favor?
I really don’t get what is wrong with juice boxes!
12ontheinside´s lastest post..At Least I DIdn’t Pick My Nose
ooooh pick me! pick me!
britt´s lastest post..how many pencils did this take?
Okay, I get the peanut butter thing, the juice thing makes no sense, and if they had rules about food why didn’t they just tell you in the first place?
(PS: I imagine the stink eye all the time. Even when I’m just thinking of things that MIGHT happen. *ahem*)
Sarcastic Mom´s lastest post..Introducing… FUZZBALL!
Not totally sure about the juice thing, unless it’s just a “neatness” issue – but when’s the last time you saw a neat child? At snack time? But even the Peanut Butter? Don’t they have a Peanut-free zone? For the love of God! By all means do NOT subject any other child to see, smell, or get within 25 feet of peanut butter. After all, they will NEVER encounter peanuts in the grocery store while with their parents. Or at a restaurant. Or at Six Flags. Or at the Circus.
I AM SO SICK OF THE PEANUT POLICE. okay I”m off my soapbox.
Texan Mama´s lastest post..Out of the Mouths of Babes