Owen and Brandon have been going to a day home since I went back to work. We love our day home and have been more than happy with our day home provider and the children there. Owen made his first best friend and both Owen and Brandon had many firsts at the day home and since I had to share those firsts, our day home would be where I would want to share those firsts. Over the past few months Sean and I both have noticed how much Owen has been growing up and we both were of the feeling that he needed more interaction with children his own age, more involvement with other adults and activities. I looked into preschool but with two parents working full time, preschool is just not made for that dynamic. I struggled with how to give Owen those opportunities all the while working. Owen has been involved with gymnastics since he was 20 months old and really enjoys it, but since up until now it’s been a Parent and Tot class, he does not get the interaction with the children I was looking for. Most other activities geared for 3 yr old’s happen during the week, in the middle of the day — again not made for our family dynamic of working parents. Trying very hard not to get frustrated Sean and I turned to hope, hope that our decision to put Owen and Brandon on the waiting list at the YMCA day care prior to them being born (they both went on the list as Baby Korsan) would pay off. I talked to the YMCA a few times over the years each time they would ask if we were still interested and each time I would say yes. Our conditions were tough, we needed two spots at the same time, we needed Owen and Brandon to move from the day home to the day care at the same time. The last time I talked to the YMCA, the impression I was given was that it was going to be tough to meet those conditions. So like I said, Sean and I were turning to hope…
Well it paid off…The YMCA called us the beginning of June to say they had a family give their notice and this family just so happened to have two children of the same age range as Owen and Brandon, meaning they had two spots at the same time for us! We took another tour of the place, this time with Owen and Brandon along, and we were all very happy to see it was still the wonderful place we remembered. The staff and children and toys and activities were so great, this was the place that we needed for Owen to continue to grow and develop! Oh and I can’t forget to mention the potty training…the cute bathroom with toilet just the right size and counter tops and sinks just the right height for little boys and girls just learning potty training basics! I was so excited at the thought of how Owen and potty training should / would take off! Owen is so ready to potty train, he just needs the time and consistency spent on him! The YMCA staff reassured me they potty train in whichever way we find works at home…perfect!
The day home was closed for two days in June and so I took advantage of those two days and brought the boys to the YMCA to play for a few hours, to get use to the new place. Owen did well, he loved all the toys and activities, the outdoor sandbox and the fact that he could cook inside and outside! Brandon found it a little tougher, he cried and held onto my hand or leg, alternating every few minutes.
The last day at the day home was sad for everyone, our day home provider had more than exceeded our expectations and we had all grown close. This is the nature of this industry, children grow up and move on, but it is still sad. Owen and Brandon started their first day at the YMCA on a Friday, a quiet day and the staff thought it might be a good day to start as they could each get more one-on-one attention if need be. The drop off went better than expected; Owen was distracted with some toys and waved bye, Brandon cried but went to the staff. Then both boys did not want to leave when we came to pick them up at the end of the day – a good sign, right?
The drop offs have been what you would expect with change; over time they will improve. After a week of day care the boys have gone swimming, walked to the library, gone for a walk in a treed area, played with the water table, played outdoors a TON (filling their shoes with sand) and Owen has gone potty and stayed dry pretty much every day! They go on field trips — this month to Fort Edmonton Park, next month a Jumpy House at the day care, they walk to the library and read books, they go swimming, there is Show and Tell and PJ day. We are so happy for the opportunities, the growth and development the boys will get from the YMCA.
