Change of babysitter

Court has been with the same nanny since she was 4 months old. When she was a baby, it was very important to me that she receive one on one care. As she became a toddler, I noticed that she craved interaction with other children. She adored the older grandchildren of her nanny, but they are 9 and 13 and were starting to teach her some bad habits. When she was around other kids her own age, she didn't really know how to react. She's become increasingly shy over the last few months and REALLY REALLY spoiled. So, enough was enough. I stopped taking the easy way out and went and found another daycare in our neighborhood that had 4 other kids her age.

It was the perfect setup. Right around the corner from our house. Recommended to us by her friend Gabbi's mother. She provides breakfast, lunch and snacks and she is willing to help us to potty train! It felt like it was the perfect thing at the perfect time, so we jumped on it and haven't looked back.

It was of course, sad for us because this woman has practically raised my daughter and took wonderful care of her, but we were becoming increasingly dissatisfied. She was getting up there in age, and not active enough to keep my child active during the day. She was watching too much television and has learned to roll her eyes and be sassy with us like the little grandson. It was time for a change and I'm so glad we did.

I was extremely nervous. I had to get her ready to actually leave the house every morning, where before, the nanny would just come to our house. I've never left her with anyone but grandparents and the nanny, so even though she came highly recommended, I was wary. I practically made myself sick the night before her first day of "school" (as we called it to get her excited). But it turns out it was all for naught. She was quite the trooper. She was so excited and got right in the car, no arguments. I stayed with her for about 10 minutes, she kissed me goodbye and I walked away. I cried all the way to work because this was a big change for me. My baby is growing up. I called to check on her a couple of hours later and the DCP said she was quiet for about an hour, never cried, but had been playing up a storm ever since and even ate a really good lunch (peas and all).

It's been 3 weeks, and she's had some ups and downs, but I've already noticed huge strides in her social demeanor. She's more brave, she eats better, and her manners are back to being impeccable. She's on a good schedule and she seems genuinely happy. Every day, she's excited to go play with her new friends. It warms my heart like you wouldn't believe. My little independent angel is such a big girl and I'm so proud! I feel we made the right decision and I believe in fate. This was just meant to be and has been good for the both of us :)