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!
Today’s Reader Appreciation giveaway comes from Oliebollen.com!
One lucky winner will receive $25 gift certificate to spend at Oliebollen.com! This awesome kids store offers adorable clothes (perfect for impressing church nursery workers!), kid’s room decor, toys, books, and so much more! Please go check them out, they really have so many great finds!
To enter to win the $25 gift certificate from Oliebollen.com, just leave a comment on this post!
Comments on this post will close at 7 AM, EST, on Thursday, November 13, 2008.
Good luck!
Comments closed! Thanks for participating!
I know the first comment hardly ever wins, but I checked out your site and YES the clothes are adorable!! I’d love to win something for my little one
Thanks!
Crystal Adkins
I took a plate of cookies to a new playgroup when I moved to a new town. Boo having numerous allergies I thought they would be impressed with my super healthy choc chip cookies filled with flax seed and gluten and milk free.
Except they were made with peanut butter, egg and sugar. The first two being the top allergy foods at this playgroup.
Needless to say my awesome cookies were THROWN AWAY!!!!! and I ended up finding another playgroup…
At least yours were nicer about it
Oh, and I know I can’t win babe. And that is totally cool with me
Kelley´s lastest post..I cheated. I strayed. The one man in the world that always anticipated my needs. Please forgive me.
count mein
feener´s lastest post..Runny Nose Etiquette
They gave you the stink-eye for bringing illegal snacks? Harshness.
I get the no peanut butter. But, no juice boxes? Really?
Cathy´s lastest post..Am I Four Now?
I had no idea boxes were bad? I’da been in the same boat as you.
girl´s lastest post..vote
When I send my daughter (16 months) to Mother’s Day Out I always fret about her lunch. Is it healthy, will she eat it, etc. It’s a hard thing to think of all the other factors too.
wright´s lastest post..Happy Blogoverasry To Me!
I get the no peanut butter rule, but thank GOD my kids are allowed in their classes this year, otherwise they would starve.
Good that you’re getting time to yourself and getting settled in a bit.
Ashlie- Mommycosm´s lastest post..I’ll give you something to complain about…
hilarious. At my church you can start dropping your kids off at nursery at 18 months.. Since church is 3 hours long every week, you just feel like dancing when that milestone hits!! I am with ya.. bible is good.. free child care even better!
RACHEL´s lastest post..KaPOW!
I NEED TO CONVERT.
our synagogue hath no daycare.
MizFit´s lastest post..Quaker Oats, Workouts, & Miz Flashes the Windy City (not necessarily in that order).
It’s bad enough they won’t eat anything at home, but then when you have to send a snack that shows it, double wham.
Dropping my children off at any kind of child care was stressful. I always worried. I wasn’t good at trusting people. You didn’t say what kind of snacks were acceptable.
I’d be a total snack fail. Not only would I have packed a juice box it would not have been 100% juice kind.
Jean@workingmomma247´s lastest post..Some Random Right Here Right Now
Not going to lie…in the same situation I would have totally forgotten the snack altogether.
Slacker Mama´s lastest post..when weekends attack
I don’t understand daycare workers either… don’t they know that our kids are the greatest and sweetest kids they have ever had in their class and they are supposed to tell us that and gush like crazy??!?!?
I know what you mean about all the rules. Brayden had a bad diaper rash last week from antibiotics and i brought powder and nystatin and they refused to put anything on him. Even put the stuff in a ziploc bag and I told me I had to get it out of there ASAP!! What???
Dore´s lastest post..Picture of the Day
I haven’t been to church since Easter. I KNOW! Shame on the PK! Besides, we don’t have a regularly staffed nursery since we’re a tiny little kuntry church. So, when we go, we end up wrestling the mini linebacker ourselves – which is a total buzz kill (is that an appropriate term for what you experience in church these days?)
Oh,well. I could totally use some darling church-worthy clothes for Lucky and/or Sissy!
Auburn Gal Always (Keri)´s lastest post..Friday Warm-Fuzzy
i have no good snack or childcare stories for you. (or at least ones that would fit within a comment).
but i would love to get my girlies some cute clothes!!!
thanks!
jen´s lastest post..one of THOSE nights.
so glad you found a group you like. i would attend just about ANYTHING for free childcare!!!
MommyNamedApril´s lastest post..Today in Pictures.
Those people must not have hearts, I can’t stop gushing over Ella. You know that. And just hearing Carson talk is enough to draw an Aww from anyone. They are crazy. But hey, it makes them oh so happy to see Mommy back. I would have totally sent the same thing, or worse. Probably real peanuts or something. Oh, thanks for the footnote.
Heidi´s lastest post..Damn it Dora!
Ooh – I’m redoing my boys room soon. Would LOVE this prize! Lovin’ your giveaways!
Colleen – Mommy Always Wins´s lastest post..Weekly Winners – November 2 – 8, 2008
I would love to win!! Enter me, please!
Yeah, peanut products are a big no no. But no juice boxes?? That’s a new one for me…
I get the peanut butter thing, truly, but how was all this not an issue when we were kids? Are today’s kids more prone to allergies or are we just figuring out what’s been making kids miserable all along?
Weird.
And, by the way, your children are adorable, even with crusty noses and syrupy fingers.
Burgh Baby´s lastest post..My Brain Will Now Be Exploding One Cell at a Time
Ooh, how I would love to spoil my new niece with something from Oliebollen.com!
Amy´s lastest post..veteran’s day
hehehehhe
our first time leaving TB at nursery at church was one of my worst days ever…
Vic REALLY didn;t know what to do… and me??? well… I had to keep an eye on the whatch and hold myself not to get up and go check out on TB!
hehehehe
UrbanVox´s lastest post..If Guilt could kill…
So true about childcare. I hope the new administration implements “a daycare in every DMV.” The approval rating would go the roof!!
BusyDad´s lastest post..Headlines from Times Square
Isn’t it amazing how you can NEVER win?
Ooooh, pick me, pick me !
Kristin´s lastest post..Friendship Part Deux
ha ha. YOU ARE FUNNY. i’ve done that too though, with like, doctors and stuff. but they don’t care about how cute your kids really are. they see kids all day long. lol.
Mz. Nesbit´s lastest post..It’s bad enough that I have to concoct my own lunch, but TO YELL AT ME TOO?
I am SO glad my kids are grown. Somehow, we got through all that.
lceel´s lastest post..Happy Birthday, Marines
I totally need a gift certificate this week. Pick me!
Mrs. CPA´s lastest post..Things I Have Done Today:
I’m on a toy binge for Christmas. I love the Monster bowling set they have from Melissa & Doug.
I’m sure you didn’t deserve the ol’ stink eye (hahaha) and that your kids are wonderful for those church nursery workers.
I like your new Nice To Meet You picture.
Thanks for the giveaway!
enter me, enter me!
Personally I have never understood why others don’t worship the ground our kids walk on! Can’t they see the genious? the perfection…(the permanent marker hidden in his pocket?)
Oooo, the stink eye from a church lady. I will admit to getting a few of those in my time, particularly from my three year olds teacher. So what is the deal with the juice boxes??
Kat´s lastest post..GoBloMeMoFo
I’m proud of you for getting out there and meeting new people right away….I’m just not good at that. I have friends that get transferred a lot just like you, and I am in awe at how quickly she can make friends….
abunslife´s lastest post..Tarnished
I like your new photo!
I know it’s hard to get out and meet new peeps. Be proud of yourself!
photomommy´s lastest post..Weekly Winners Nov. 2 – Nov. 8
Our church provide the snacks for the kids, one less thing to do to get out the door…
Nurseries are usually under-staffed-THAT’S WHY they didn’t gush over your sweet kiddies!
kj @ Where my boys at?´s lastest post..The Perfect Hormonal Storm
Oliebollen…. say what?? I really had to go check out that site and find out WHY ON EARTH they would name their shop after a “dutch doughnut” (for which the season is now here, I smell them every time I walk into the center of the little dutch village I live in).
I don’t need kiddie stuff any more, so this comment isn’t playing along with the giveaway!
marit´s lastest post..Food
Hell, I wouldn’t have even remembered to pack a snack. Or cleaned my kid’s face for that matter.
It is possible that I would have fed them before leaving, but not necessarily guaranteed.
I would love to win!!! Pick me please!!!
Our pediatrician says stink eye and it’s hands’ down one of my favorite expressions. Cuz you know…it’s so cute (snort.)
Yea for you on the Bible study. I’m paying a chiropractor out the wazoo to unleash my pent up stress demons. Maybe I need to dust off my Bible too. (Can you drink wine and read the Bible…is that OK?)
Jamie´s lastest post..TGITEOS And Twittering
I want to buy every single book on that website! WOW! Thanks for turning us on to all these new places to shop.
I’m so sorry they didn’t comment on the darling outfits. I’m sure Carson and Ella looked great. (Cute new picture, by th way!)
Jen L.´s lastest post..One’s trash is another’s treasure
you did not fail! if you never took your little ones to a nursery than of course you wouldn’t know. meanwhile, I never heard a ban on juice boxes, interesting…
also, so glad to hear you like the bible story. you should post about what your studying. I would love to read about it.
Courtney @ Mommie Blogs´s lastest post..paido baptism…
We will be making a big move in the next couple of months and I’m hoping for some child care opportunities. I mean, they couldn’t have heard of Aidan 700 miles away, could they?
Glad you found a group you like. That’s gonna be hard for me. I just don’t like other people that much
Am I missing something? What’s wrong with Juice Boxes?
Steph´s lastest post..PBR how I love thee…
As being a parent who has her son in daycare all week, it’s very easy to fail and much harder to not fail. So don’t be hard on yourself about the snacks. And you know they’re all thinking how adorable your kids are, so that shouldn’t be a worry. It’s great you found a place to socialize and meet with others! We all need that, especially after another hard move.
Janine´s lastest post..Sharing another contest.
I wanted to let you know I gave you an award…
You can check it out at http://doresdiaries.blogspot.com/2008/11/im-sparky-blogger.html
Dore´s lastest post..I’m a Sparky Blogger
No juice boxes? Silly silly. I mean, I guess it makes sense. I used to work at a gym daycare, and we had to be extra diligent about peanut products, so I do get that!
Your kids are probably so good, they feel they don’t even have to say anything
flickrlovr´s lastest post..Looky! Something shiny!
I didn’t realize juice boxes were a no-no…
Oooh – I love it! I’m headed back over there now to keep looking at all the stuff.
Eternal Sunshine´s lastest post..I haven’t forgotten