Parents and Childcare Reality

Written By: Felecia Causey

Photography: Felecia Causey

Models: Bridget McDonald and (daughter) Brooklyn Gipson

 What many parents worry the most about after the baby and mommy six weeks are up and it’s time to go back to work or school, is leaving the child in the hands of someone. With some many horrible stories seen on social media or on the news, a parent's worst nightmare is to have someone you trusted hurt your child or allow someone else to hurt them.  Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t have that family member that will help with the baby. As the world has changed so much, there aren’t many mothers, grandmother, aunts, or cousins that are willing to take on the role of a babysitter, especially a free one.  The decision you select for the well-being of your child I know most parents as myself will not take it lightly.  

I am blessed with the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom for my kids. My husband and I found it was the best choice for us, since we didn’t know anyone, and our family lived out of town. Unfortunately, many parents don't have that option. The financial burden of taking care of a household and taking care of kids, without any government assistance can be tough. With groceries and the cost of living going up, people are doing the best they can, with what they have.  

Daycares can be very expensive, and many can't base the choice of which offers the best childcare, and cleanliness, but from selecting which one fits their budget. As most of us, we try our best to not look at money, when it comes to taking care of our child/children. A single mother or either a family on a fixed income, have to study the reviews, and listen to the opinions of people they know, to make sure they pick the best option.  

I have talked to many moms, because I wanted to hear the things that are important to them, when finding childcare for their child/children.  

1. The main one was their child's safety.  Parents want to know if there are procedures in place of who can come into the schools.

2. Is the place clean? With a pandemic going on, kids are vulnerable to picking up germs. Will the daycare take the best measures possible of keeping everything clean to the best of their abilities?

3. Will my child get proper care? The horror of parents sharing how they pick their kids up with soiled diapers, nasty noses, and bite marks, would make any human with a heart upset. Watching kids and multiple ones at that can be a challenge, but parents need to feel comfortable, they need to know that their child will be cared for and protected to the best of the daycare's abilities.

4. What’s the daily routine? Many parents want to know how often their kids will have meals and snacks. If the baby bottles or cups will be cleaned or changed every meal. I had a mother share that the baby was drinking from a bottle with the same milk in it from that morning. She knew because of the color of the bottle and the how the milk looked old. She had picked the baby up that evening after 5:00. Kids are growing every day, so parents want to know will they be properly fed.

5. What are the caregivers like? As a mother that has come across some rude and mean teachers, I am sure most parents want to know who will be taking care of their child/children all day. Who hands are they leaving the most precious thing to them in? Will there be a meeting for them to lay their eyes on someone that they will have to entrust basically the life of their child.

   

I know parents as myself believe that there is no one that can watch and protect your kids like you, but when you must do what you have to do for your family household, use the five steps above to help narrow down your search. I hope this helps some of you parents and even relieves the stress that you are not alone on this journey.