The B Family

I finally bought batteries for the camera! This is Miss F relaxing in the tub. She absolutely LOVES bathtime. I'm thinking she's going to be a swimmer....she kicks and moves her arms and splashes. Granted our house is small, but you can hear her splashes from across the house. I leave her in until the water starts to get cool because she is so happy in the tub.

I've started Miss F in daycare to slowly get us both acclimated. I return to work on the 23rd and am dealing with feeling guilty putting her in daycare before I return to work. However, I have been using the time she's in daycare to get my lesson plans in order, get the car fixed, run errands in preparation for my return to work, etc. And yes, I will be getting my hair done one day. It's a necessity!!

*Warning* The following is a bit of a rant on parenting which can be a sensitive subject. The author thinks that everyone should do what is best for their family and their situation**

As I write this, I realize I am trying to justify putting her in daycare. I'm starting to realize that being a mom is a competetive sport and to the 'losers' comes the guilt. In the eyes of the moms I see on Parenting message boards, I am a really bad mom. I'm 1) returning to work, 2) feeding my daughter formula 3/4ths of the day, 3) putting her in daycare 4) planning a vacation where Mr. B and I will be away from her for a few days/nights, 5) letting her cry a bit when she goes to bed for naps 6) putting her in her own crib and room from birth instead of letting her co-sleep, and I'm sure the list goes on and on. I can't help but feel guilty and wonder if Miss F will turn out O.K. I think I know why moms make their kids feel guilty--it's a return investment on the guilt the moms feel about 'mistakes' made when raising that child.

I warm my heart, though, by thinking that I really like myself. I'm independent, funny, smart, have traveled the world, I cook, I am sensitive and creative. I'm also the product of two working parents and daycare. My parents took vacations from my sister and I every year However, we took family vacations every year, too. I was allowed to cry sometimes. I think they did a great job and I've turned out O.K. Hopefully, someday, Miss F will have a blog and she'll say she thought we did a good job, too.

*end of rant*