I had another post lined up this morning that was more upbeat (it involves lobsters! Lobsters! And what's not funny about crustaceans?) but then I had to call the nursery* to arrange a "settling in" date for the twins to go and meet the staff, their own personal carer (it's the law here that for infants you must have one adult per two infants, so they'll get their own), go through routines, and just get to know things and now I'm beside myself all over again and I have a big lump in my throat which I'm going to blame on a cold instead of the other obvious choice because I have a full-on day today and I will not break, I will not I tell you, especially as the really nice health visitor is due here any minute and she'll definitely suggest upping my doses if she shows up and I'm reinacting Knots Landing level of drama.

It's also causing me to create massive run-on sentences, apparently.

Phone calls can do that.

-H.

* Of course I had to pick a nursery that has the same name as a gardening nursery in the same town, and of course I rang the gardening nursery instead of the child nursery only to learn, after speaking to three people and no small amount of confusion and stupidity on my part, that as I have twin babies instead of twin rhododendrums I was likely looking for the other nursery in town**.

** Hey, another run-on sentence. Who saw that coming?

Posted by: Everydaystranger at 10:52 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
Post contains 261 words, total size 1 kb.

1 When my daughter first went to daycare we arranged it that I would drop her off for at least the first two weeks. This made it much easier for my wife to deal with. Once she was used to the idea of her being there, and my daughter was used to her being there, we let my wife bring her. It was still hard but they both survived it. You will too.

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at February 13, 2008 12:18 PM (R7LgM)

2 Oh Helen! I can't imagine how you're feeling or give you any advice on how to make it all easier for you and the twins. All I can do is send you love and hugs and hope that it gets easier for you all, especially once they've started at nursery and you seen that they are ok with it.

Posted by: Suzie at February 13, 2008 12:22 PM (weSjv)

3 Helen, I went back to work soon after my older two children were born and I have to agree with Stephen that it may be easier at first (for the babies and for you) to have Angus drop them off. That said, you know you are a great mother and you provide a great home for your babies. You have picked an excellent nursery and you and Angus will find your new normal and it will be good. (Ignore my runons for now). Best of luck with the day.

Posted by: Catherine at February 13, 2008 01:22 PM (zXrpr)

4 That's kinda funny. I can see how conversations about plant and childcare could dovetail. I think that the rule of one carer to every two children is brilliant. It's one to four for infants down here. I'm going through this myself, even though my twins are older. It's about 17 different types of difficult.

Posted by: Suz at February 13, 2008 01:25 PM (VN0e5)

5 It is a transition and it is a hard one. That said you all will get into the routine and I promise you won't always feel as you do now. I felt the same anxiety with my second that I did with my first child - it is just a big step. Oh, and the daddy drop off is a great idea. Take care.

Posted by: Laura at February 13, 2008 01:41 PM (U1yF0)

6 That part is VERY difficult, I won't lie to you. I do think that daddy dropping them off the first couple of weeks is a brilliant idea and will really ease the strain. There is nothing quite as wrenching as watching your children's faces as they realize you are leaving them with even the best caregiver in the world. It does get better, though, and it is really great to know that you can be an independent person AND a mom since there is a qualified temporary substitute. And if you think the grins you get when you open the nursery door get you, just wait until you get them after a full day's work. No matter how stressful your day, coming home to those two little faces full of love will be the best moment ever. You can do this. It will be okay. Your little rhodies will thrive in the nursery.

Posted by: Lisa at February 13, 2008 02:23 PM (EcHBm)

7 Good luck-it is a big milestone for mommy! I love that the babies already have their own personal assistant. Love you....

Posted by: Teresa at February 13, 2008 05:34 PM (Pr3t9)

8 Even though it broke my heart to take my son to daycare, I was the one that had to do it. I had to make sure that he would be ok. I chose a daycare that had cameras in the facility so I can log in and see him all day long. The only area that isn't in view of the camera is where they change the diapers and I'm ok with that. It does get easier. Now, he is a pro at daycare, he's almost 22 months and because his whole life is a routine, he knows what to expect. He is happy to go and happy when I pick him up, I couldn't ask for a better situation.

Posted by: Tif at February 13, 2008 08:11 PM (7AIVm)

9 I do daddy drop off. I pick them up, and it's all smiles for me. hehe. It's tough. We are in the middle of week 2. But it's harder on us than on them. They are being taken care of. There are camera's in the room, so I watch them play together on the internet. And this should make you feel better. Our teacher said that my twins are the only ones that "play" together. They chase each other around, and giggle at each other. When one wakes up from their nap, and the other is still sleeping, they look for each other. I think, for me, it definitely helps knowing that they are in there together. Good luck with it!

Posted by: Erica at February 14, 2008 01:21 AM (D6tE/)

10 It is a very emotional and difficult transition. Dad took both boys when they were younger, I could not do it!! The law of 1 caregiver to 2 babies is AWESOME! The only comfort I can try to offer is the babies will never remember the transition and will love you just the same!!

Posted by: Steff at February 14, 2008 02:49 AM (ivnBN)

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