Just a quick question for those of you that have babies in daycare -

How much or what should we give as a Christmas gift?
Do I have to give double since I have twins?

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I can't wait to hear answers on this one...from what I understand out daycare center has the teachers list something for the classroom and you can buy something from that list?? I don't know what to do individually...there are at least 5 teachers in the infant room?? What do I do with that??

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Dana
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

Wannababy-I don't think you have to give "double" because of having twins, but that is jmo. I use an in-home daycare so usually give a gift rather than money.

Dana-with 5 individual teachers, that could get pretty expensive so it will depend on how much you can/want to spend. I would probably get them a $10 gift set of lotions and bubble bath, so they can pamper themselves. Another idea is to make some homemade cookies or brownies or something.

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In Hannah's class, all the parents are giving giftcards to one parent who is putting them together with an edible arrangement. I gave a $10 giftcard for each one. I am just giving some homemade goodies to the 4 assistants/floaters. I don't think you have to give double b/c of having twins. I would like to give more, but it's just not in our budget right now.

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wannababy, I agree with the others about it not being necessary to give double because you have twins. I think that if you give them a small gift with homemade goodies, it will be enough since it's really the thought that counts. I'm sure they'll appreciate the kind gestures from the parents.

I really appreciate everyone's responses - and they are making me feel better.

The babies are in home daycare - and my IRL friends are saying - i should give one weeks pay - which is not in our budget!!!!!!

Thanks Ladies

Kristen

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Yes! Thank you all for responses! That is what Ms. Manners would tell you one week's pay. I would love to give them all something nice but I'm afraid they will have to settle for some lotion and a cookie!

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Dana
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

Why don't you make up a "relaxation basket" for each one? Some lotion, bubble bath, maybe some candies? Just think of what you would want if you were to have a nice calm night to yourself. You could even do something like a chick flick(there are some good ones in the $5 bins, or a gift card for movie rentals, 10 or 15 dollars would be plenty), popcorn and movie theater candies. You can do them for $20 each easy, and they would all be more personalized. Add a little tissue paper, a basket, and a bow and you would be set.


My mom used to do gift baskets for a living.

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Ely starts daycare in a few weeks, and we are going next week for "orientation". We meet with the woman who runs the room he will be in and get shown around. Any suggestions on things that I should ask about or be ready for? I don't want to forget anything important; I have this fear that I will drop him off on my way to work that first day and they will tell me that he can't stay or something and I will miss class! (I also fear that I won't be able to pull myself away and will be late!)

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Krissy

Krissy-it is so rough to leave your baby in daycare, I cried the very first day! You may have already covered these but here a few things I can think of to ask about:
feedings-if you are sending pumped breastmilk, give them instructions on how to store it and warm it up, etc. I always sent formula too "just in case". Most daycares require that you lable the bottles with the baby's name too.
Will they write everything down for you-times when he ate, pooped, slept, and for how long/how much etc.
Let them know how he likes to be soothed to sleep-rocked, paci, etc. And what you are ok with, crying-wise, if any.
In which situations will they call you?-(and tell them if there are any that are not on the list that you want to be called for) what is the best time of day to call them to check in?
I always sent gas drops and infant tylenol but the daycare would call me if they thought she needed it (i don't think she ever did) but it just made me feel better knowing they had it. This is an in-home daycare so I don't know if centers are allowed to give meds or anything.

I used one of the free diaper bags as my dacare diaper bag so I kept it stocked with the main things (extra clothes, paci's) and just added the bottles, etc. to it each day.

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Thanks, Bina. I cry everytime I even think about the daycare. I am SO nervous, so all of the advice helps. I think what bothers me most is that I know he will cry, and I never let him cry (I always attend to him asap when he starts to fuss), but in a daycare with other children, that may not be plausible. I don't think he will understand that. It breaks my heart . Also, he is the youngest in the room, which just makes me nervous. They don't believe in "confining" children, so there are no swings, which makes me nervous that a bigger baby could crawl or trip over him if they have him on the floor level. Ugh; I don't know how I am going to be ok with this. He still sleeps on me during the day, so I have no idea how they are going to put him down for a nap. Everytime I set him down he wake up and starts to cry, and at night he sleeps in a carseat.

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Krissy

Krissy -

Daycare is hard - but believe me it does get easier.

One thing that was really helpful for me was I did a trial day the day before i started back to work. I dropped the babies off and I actually went to have my hair cut.

My daycare provider also maintained a journal - she would write in it every day and so would I - so that she knew what to expect also.

Also, prior to daycare my babies did not nap well at all. While I was on maternity leave, some days I would have to just put them in the car and drive - so they slept. But in daycare, all she told me in the beginning was that they were awesome nappers. (I thought maybe she had my babies confused - but they were the only infants - lol)

One day at a time - that is what I always kept saying to myself.

GOOD LUCK!!

Kristen

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Hugs Krissy! It is super hard!

Ava isn't a napper either...it drives me insane! I always had the idea that a baby should sleep at least an hour at a time. Well, not unless I hold her...and you are right. they won't hold him all day long but he will soon figure it out and they are there to take care of him. In our case the ladies in the infant room are all very warm and inviting. I went to the daycare center every day for a week on my lunch break because I missed her so bad. They let me come in and rock her and talk to her. It was nice. I guess the main thing to remember is that you are probably more traumatized by leaving him at daycare than he is. Ava is super tired when she comes home but she always loves to go back. He will do fine! And so will you! Make a list to have at home of things to bring each day...I will never forget the day I forgot her blanket I felt like a heal! And then another day I forgot her Pacifier...I thought...I even called the center and asked if she had it...they said they would call me if they didn't... well to my horrifying discovery when I got there they had given her a "daycare paci"!!!! I almost died! I am a germ-o-phob! SO I never again forgot her paci! Just making a list would help to not forget those things that will drive you completely crazy all day long.

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Dana
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]

Thanks, girls. It is SOOO hard, I hope that I don't cry the entire day I have so many worries; I just wish he was a little bit older. I also know that going back to work is good for me (I think I am getting a little wierd spending all of my time in "babyland"), so I keep reminding myself of that. I just wish I could take him to work with me!

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Krissy

I am taking Jackson to "school" tomorrow for a few hours. I am so sad to do it, especially since I don't like my job & am not looking forward to going back to work next week. I am loving spending every waking minute with him. and I am afraid he will get upset after I leave & wonder where I am.
I am trying to make a list of errands to run so I will keep myself busy. I really don't have anything to do, so I am thinking I might take a book or my laptop to the Starbucks down the street from the church....

I'd love any advice to help me get thru it?

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Jen -

Sorry, I didn't log on yesterday - but maybe it is not too late.

The first day I took the babies to daycare, I went and got a hair cut. I also went to the grocery store and went home and made some meals to throw in the freezer.

Hope your day goes well - I know it is hard.

Good Luck
Kristen

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Thanks Kristen. It was hard. I cried in the room, teared up in front of the Director, who gave me a hug and then I sat in the parking lot for 20 minutes, crying & talking to DH & my mom. When I finally left, I drove aimlessly for a while until I decided to go to BRU (who knows why - it is probably the last place I should have gone). I ended up leaving him there from 10AM to 1:30PM. When I got there, his face was all red & I could tell he'd been upset. The head teacher told me it was from tummy time, which made sense.....but it still bothered me.
I spent the rest of the day holding him & trying to figure out how I can make money doing something I enjoy, that would allow me to be with him.....I haven't figured anything out yet. And I bought a bunch of lottery tickets...I am down about $20.

I hope tomorrow is easier - I have a pedicure appt so hopefully that will help. It has to get easier right?

Krissy - how is Ely doing at school?

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Jen -

oh yes it does get easier! now Evan and Audrey cry when my DH picks them up because they want to stay and play with their friends.

one day at a time -

enjoy your pedi today!!

kristen

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Jen--I am with you; this sucks. I cried, too, and I want to cry every time I think about it. Ely started actual workdays on Monday, and it has been terrible. They fill out these little sheets that say what he does, and it is sort of wierd. He sleeps a lot more at the daycare than at home, so I don't know what to make of that. The whole thing freaks me out, hope it is going better for you. I hate that when I drop him off there are always kids crying, and I realize that means that sometimes it will be him crying---I never let him cry, so maybe it is good for him?

I was wondering also; how would I even know if something was wrong? It's not like he can talk to tell me?

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Krissy

Krissy - Today is his first full day. I cried so much last night that my eyes are still all red & puffy. I can't wait to get out of here to get him. I hope he is ok and not wondering where I am.
My school writes everything on a sheet too & Jackson does sleep alot more. I think it is twofold - the noise and the fact that they tend to put the babies in swings more often(which puts (jackson right to sleep).
The crying thing makes me feel ill. I have seen the other babies crying and it breaks my heart to think it might be him. I know it will happen, even if I was home with him, but I still don't like it.

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