Thanks, Mom
When the topic of childcare comes up, friends and even acquaintances often ask me if I know how lucky I am. My husband and I haven't had to put our boys in daycare (other than a brief, ill-fated stint for Evan last year) even though Evan will turn 4 in September and Elias will be 2 next month. Why? Because we have my mom.
When I was pregnant, my mom lived in Austin, Texas. My husband half-kiddingly asked her if she wanted to move out here to help care for Evan when we returned to work. She considered it, and when Evan was six months old and Jeff was ready to go back to work (I had already taken my maternity leave), my mom put her house up for sale, packed up her stuff and moved halfway across the country for us.
She cared for Evan full-time for six months, then switched to part-time when I went part-time here. She didn't charge us a set price, though we pushed a check her way whenever we could. She now cares for both boys part-time -- an exhausting task for anyone -- with hardly a sigh of exhaustion or a complaint.
While I know the benefits of sending kids to daycare, I also know that my sons have an incredibly close bond with their grandmother. I also know that Evan has only had one ear infection in his life and Elias has had zero problems with his ear. And I know that I love hearing their enthusiasm when we talk about going to Grandma's.
Like most daughters, I can't possibly articulate how much I already loved my mom. I didn't think it was possible for her to hold a more special place in my life and heart. But when she decided to come to Florida, I recognized that she was an even greater woman than I thought.
So do I know how lucky I am?
Yes. Thanks, Mom. I know I don't tell you enough.
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