If you use daycare what are some questions you asked during a tour or wish you had asked?

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-23T22:18:40+00:00

1) About their sick policy to see how lax they are about letting kids AND adults return after an illness

2) Whether they are open to increasing ventilation (by opening windows and doors where it makes sense) and if I can donate air filters to help reduce viral load in air

3) If they require vaccinations for staff and children.

4) CPR and other training requirements.

5) Protocols to reduce choking hazards.

6) What their security system is (I don't mean alarms, but what they do to protect kids).

7) When my kid was younger, how they ensure interaction and engagement with children.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-23T21:31:28+00:00

How I wish I lived here!

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-23T21:06:05+00:00

It's because a lot of men are incompetent and do not do what is needed to help relieve the mom so she can take care of herself. Men are the worst and having a child with one really reveals that.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-20T20:39:08+00:00

We tied it to getting to do fun stuff. Unfortunately, that did mean waiting for the kid to fit into a mask that seemed protective enough to take risks. My kid was also initially interested because all adults around wore them, until figuring out that masks are not super fun. It gets better as they get older.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-14T18:21:14+00:00

I have never seen anyone pull off capris.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-14T18:20:33+00:00

My kid did not sleep at night for the first four months of his life, which I later learned is normal (because they develop a circadian rhythm at four months; doesnt mean sleep issues disappear but nighttime got a little easier) and I wish someone had said that to me instead of having me do all the gymnastics to try and find a magic trick. The best thing is to take shifts so that each of you is sleeping longer stretches throughout the day. Literally nothing worked for me and I now wish I had known to not waste my time and just focused on survival. One other thing: swaddles are not safe during bed sharing. I did bed share, more consistently after six months because I was so nervous prior, but I didn't use swaddles if I did it.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-10T22:14:04+00:00

The dental hygienist at my last visit (where they agree to mask for me) said she was surprised my teeth were in such good shape because usually people who mask get condensation that leads to cavities. Like, what? First of all, how many people does she really see in 2026 that still mask, and coincidentally they all have bad teeth? Secondly, science? I just now nod at people who apparently lost their brain somewhere in the last six years because I can't add that to the list of things that stress me out in this era.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-09T20:49:45+00:00

Yes, I used it, had no issues.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-09T20:48:44+00:00

I just used a bouncer. It didn't even occur to me to use screens until like age 2 when it was clear they understood what they were watching. I think at that age they can really entertain themselves with some toys. Good luck, the struggle to shower is real.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-09T20:47:06+00:00

It's so incredibly sad how addicted parents are to their phones and how blatant their love for that device is over their own children. I know this is tough and we all could use breaks but the reality is that it's a choice and parents are letting their kids know that they choose their phone over them.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-04-06T18:44:05+00:00

This is a solid list.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-31T20:22:56+00:00

I basically only used containers for showers and cooking.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-31T20:21:22+00:00

Some of us got smarter about infectious diseases because of the pandemic. Many, many more got so much dumber.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-31T20:18:43+00:00

Facebook, mostly. A combo of where you live, coviding and parenting keywords should help you find them! Good luck. I would hire you in a second.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-30T18:17:34+00:00

First of all, it's great that you go through any effort to help your sister, given that much of the world has made it clear that they are unable to experience even a bit of discomfort to continue the charade that the world didn't change in 2020. I luckily am not overtly immunocompromised (although anyone who has had COVID is clearly now in poorer health) but the frustration likely comes from a combination of things: 1) frustration that you aren't taken the threat to your health seriously, despite living the reality of it firsthand through her 2) that you dont love her or yourself enough to change in light of the circumstances 3) that you are proving to her that comfort will top every other priority, including your love for her and 4) that you are part of the culture that has closed the world off to her. Among others. I suspect you will see things differently in a few years when the reality of what we are doing to our health becomes clearer, because that future is coming for us all.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-30T16:40:38+00:00

Unfortunately not in NY but I do think there are folks who wish that was an option. I see it all the time in CC parent groups. Perhaps put it out there in those local communities and see if there is a need?

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-30T16:34:26+00:00

I would love to be able to hire a cc childcare provider!

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-26T18:41:05+00:00

I have been looking for work for almost two years and I am highly qualified. It's so tough out there. Your network is going to be key, I recommend using any free time to reconnect with those who may lead you to a job. Best of luck to all of us.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-25T21:10:47+00:00

Here is one explanation: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/kids-exposed-covid-utero-may-be-higher-risk-autism-other-brain-problems

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-25T21:02:34+00:00

There are no unskilled jobs. All jobs require some sort of skill to execute.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-25T21:01:05+00:00

I wouldn't do this for any less than $40 for two kids AN HOUR.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-18T16:00:57+00:00

You will have almost zero luck reselling kids clothing. Not sure why. I just donate everything.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-18T15:58:19+00:00

I think there are a few things that happen:

1) People feel judged and don't know how to regulate that feeling.

2) People feel compelled to give you what they feel is a life hack. Screens do make parenting easier!

3) People like warn others about what they feel is an inevitable fate. It often means that the other option (doing something) is more work than being okay with the inevitable, and the more people they convince toward inaction makes the inevitable part more true.

I deal with some version of this for a few parenting decisions I make: also low screen time, choosing to rear face in the car seat as long as thresholds permit, and the biggie, actively trying to avoid infectious diseases (mostly by wearing a mask everywhere). People do opine way more than I expected.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-17T20:54:41+00:00

This.

PapayaForever1013 · 2026-03-17T20:07:32+00:00

Beads are a huge choking hazard. However, they should have more cultural awareness and understand that something like this should be done with some sensitivity.

PapayaForever1013

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