September

Timing wise, I think I'm kind of lucky. Actually, I am probably very lucky! I never did or didn't do a treatment because I would deliver at such and such a time because of course one never knows if this will be the cycle that works and whenever child is to be born, I'll deal with it (just get me pregnant). But well, happens that very good timing - I am self employed and as such won't get any maternity leave*. School year ends here at the end of June and resumes on the first of September. So shortly after I am due, there is the summer holiday in which I anyway hardly work** as most kids don't want to continue lessons. So I can have a nice three (give or take) month "maternity leave" before returning full steam to work. And there's my problem.

The first of September. I have to return to work, and what do I do with my girl? Day care is not an option as I start working in the afternoons (there are probably a couple of hours of a lap, but then what do I do after that? Besides, why put her in a daycare that starts early in the morning when I can be with her?!). The other option is some kind of nanny.
At one time there was a thought of me and my sister sharing a nanny, she wants someone to pick up the kids from kindergarten until she returns from work which would mean about a couple of hours of an overlap with nanny watching all three kids. And it really is not such a bad idea, except... For start I am not making a lot of money, so I prefer some young student and not an elderly experienced woman I know she'd like. I also very much DO NOT want my child in front of a TV at least for the first two years of her life, I even took the TV out of my house so it won't happen (and I'm living fine without one :-)). If here or there she gets a glimpse when at other people's house, fair enough, I can't stop the world, but not as a habit, not as an everyday thing [yes girl, a tough world you chose to come to..] and I know that there will be a lot of TV with my sister's kids. If I were the only employer then I could put my foot down and say no TV, but as it's also my sister, and her kids do watch TV, well..
So I want "my own" nanny. Someone young and inexperienced as I would be able to pay less. I actually do prefer someone young and inexperienced [my only concern is baby's neck/head stability, but usually by three months they can hold up their head]. I want someone who will let my kid get dirty and put this or that in her mouth and not tell her all the time don't do this and don't do that. I don't want someone who knows about kids and what you are supposed to do, rather someone who will feel/be free.
But well, kind of awkward hours I have to offer, not really good for students and not exactly full time. So finding someone might not be easy. I did ask my 21 year old niece to ask around her friends, maybe I'll also put a notice at the local high school though I'm not sure I want someone that young..
And then there is the question of hours. The beginning of the school year is usually quite slow, and it takes some time until I have a regular schedule. So do I offer from day one a "full" day or do I say lets flow with it? I am/did have a bad year this year but last year was a good one. Who knows what kind of year next year will be...

And I haven't mentioned cloth diapering. I plan on using mainly prefolds (well actually I do hope to do elementary communication, but don't expect nanny to, and even I probably won't do EC 100% of the time) which are very much like from the "old days" type of nappies. Personally I don't see it as such a bother, but in this fast world, where nappies are very easy put on and then tossed to the bin and that's it... Well I hope whoever I find won't have a problem with that.

So I am somewhat worried about the first of September. I do know I will find some kind of solution, just wish I knew now what/how.




* Well I actually could have if I were up front and paid income tax (shhhhh!)
** And let me tell you, it is really no fun as it means hardly any income.