September 2001
One year and three months into a two-year residency, I give birth to my daughter. I am eligible for one year of maternity leave, and have every intention of staying home with my sweet, big-eyed Saskia for all fifty-two weeks. Pete and I haven't yet decided what we'll do for childcare when the year is up, but daycare isn't even on the table. I grew up understanding that daycare was for the unfortunate children of selfish mothers. It was fact, just as neighbours who mowed their lawns on Sundays could not be Christians.
January 2002
I sit at the desk in our loft, looking at a list of home daycares. The nine remaining months of residency loom over my days with my infant daughter. I have an irrational fear that I will have a series of consecutive pregnancies - defying all contraceptive measures - causing a perma-maternity leave and precluding any possibility of ever finishing residency. I am desperate to be done with it . . .
Post continued here. The topic today at Mothers in Medicine is childcare, where fifteen of us weigh in with our experiences.
What an interesting read. We have had various daycare situations that have caused some stress as well. I'm glad you've found one you love so much!
Posted by: mary smith | Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 07:57 PM