One of the toughest parts of being a working mom is having to leave my child in someone else’s hands. I’ve always been happy with Princess’s daycare. The teachers have been attentive, and she’s made some friends. As is usually the case, there are there are times when I’d find unexplainable bruises. I normally chalk it up to tots being tots. Children play and get bumps all the time. As long as she doesn’t need stitches, I’m ok. Most importantly, she’s ok. However I couldn’t contain my anger, after getting a disturbing phone call from my mom.
Side bar: my mom usually freaks out about Princess not having her hat. It could be 75 degrees with a UV index of 3 (which means very little sun), and dry weather. She still wants Princess to have a hat along with a sweater, just in case.
But when she tells me about Princess’s diaper being wet, I’m the one that freaks out. Apparently, she hadn’t been changed in hours. Her diaper was so full that it leaked onto her onsie and bloomers. The worse part is that this would be the second day in a row of “dirty diapergate.” In this record heat that we’ve had in the last couple days? Bump that!
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| This is one of the outfits she wore |
Before my mom could even finish explaining, I hang up and call her daycare.
“To have a toddler in a dirty diaper, leaking everywhere is not ok.” The lady I spoke with apologizes profusely and says she’ll have a talk with the person responsible. I know Princess regular teacher leaves early in the day. So, I don’t know who dropped the ball.
At the end of the day, my baby is ok. It just sucks! Being away from her and having to work can be tough, especially when things like this happen. I guess one can never have the perfect balance.
Just to let you know, it ain’t over. I’m going to have to go in and have another chat to make sure this doesn’t happen again. “I don’t play dat!” I just found out about Karen’s Nanny Agency, which could be a great help for a mom like me. They offer a trusted nanny that can take good care of my baby, and she’ll be the one to look after my child’s welfare.
What would you do?
Weather Anchor Mama
Honestly, if it was me, I would be looking for another daycare. My mom worked at a daycare with toddlers and I can remember only once where she said they had a child get bruised. Bruising is usually caused by a hard fall or a hard hit. And if the daycare is letting her take enough falls or hits to where she’s had bruising more than once somebody just isn’t paying close enough attention.
And the whole two day in a row overflowing dirty diaper is just unexcuseable. In this heat, she could end up with a really bad case of diaper rash or worst. I’m pretty sure you’re paying them good money to make sure they are properly caring her and it just seems like they no longer appreciate that. If things don’t get better it may be time to pursue another avenue in terms of child care.
Oh no! I’m so sad to hear this happened. I’m very sensitive about making sure Nia is dry and we’ve gone through some challenges in our Sunday school especially when she was cloth diapered. They would just leave her to soak through because they were intimidated by the cloth diaper although it was so simple to just unsnap off, roll up put in a bag I provided and snap a new one on. I kept explaining it to them and honestly, it made me hesitant to take her back to Sunday school even though it was one time a day. Since we switched to disposable since we no longer have a washer/dryer in our apartment they’ve been more likely to change her although this past Sunday they had a relapse. They saw how upset I was and claimed they had just checked her but she was soaking wet! Overall, I’m just glad she’s almost potty trained but in situations like this it makes nervous about it being a symptom of general negligence.
I think you’ve been more than gracious.
I would have been up to that school day one! I pay to much money for my child to be in a stank diaper for an unsaid amount of time.
My daughter wears cloth diapers to school, so it’s hard to fool me with how many changes have happened through out the day. Which is why cloth was a great choice for me. I am VERY particular about my daughter and the thought of her walking around in her own feces to the point of leaking would straight up piss me off.
Exact same thing! Childcare doesn’t come cheap, and we expect those we leave to our child’s care, be it family or daycare, are doing the right thing. Poor baby, I’m glad shes ok.
That’s exactly what I told them! The director was apologetic. But, it’s not ok. If there isn’t much improvement, we will have to find another. They did have a meeting about it and it’s being investigated. We’ll see!
Same here. I actually took Princess to church and checked out the daycare which was a mess. Because of that we haven’t gone back. Princess should be potty trained soon as well. She’s actually being moved up on Monday to a classroom with a bathroom. So, they are supposed to help with the training as well. She’ll be wearing pull-ups, so it’ll be imperative for them to be vigilent of potty situation. I’ve got my eyes peeled.
Heck yea! It’s a mortgage payment. I know. I’ve had this issue with number 1 and 2. I’ve had it. Thanks so much. My baby number 2 I think I want to go the cloth diaper way. Do you find it saves more time and money?
Thanks Amerie. She is, but it’s so annoying to go through this. I work so I don’t see her til the following day. If my mom didn’t tell me, I wouldn’t have known.
I wouldn’t put up with it. It’s kinda odd because you KNOW when you have a kid that needs to be changed. Now any kid can have a blow out, but it sounds like this was not the case. I’d ask around for suggestions on somewhere else. An eon ago, I used to own a nanny agency – and I’d always tell my parents that if you are not comfortable – go with those instincts – don’t use a nanny cam or wait til you have “proof” – just move on.
I would be mad! It is not difficult to change a diaper (alright, sometimes my toddler squirms a lot, but still…) Sorry you have to deal with this!
Stopping by from SITS Sharefest!
Do they write down when they change her diaper? My daycare does and that helps me know how long they are waiting. I appreciate the way my daycare logs everything – diaper changes, food, naps, and they write a little note each day about what they did. Being happy with your daycare is, to me, the most important thing as a working mom. I would definitely bring up your concerns.
Stopping by from SITS
I think you’re right to talk to them and see if you can find out what happened. Perhaps there were extenuating circumstances given that this hasn’t happened until recently. But if there’s no explanation and no change, it’s probably time to move on. Changing a diaper is basic care. If they can’t get that right . . .
Visiting from SITS.
You did the right thing, that is not ok. Your baby girl could get an infection or rash from having a wet diaper on so long! Think it might be a good time to look for another provider. I know it is hard to leave your baby, but you are trusting them to care for her. If it happens again after you talk to them, the I would leave. I hope your discussion with them goes well!
Thanks Raquel! I had several conversations w/ them. I’m hoping it doesn’t happen again. It would be a pain to find another daycare. I’m glad they were attentive about the whole thing. I was pissed and they knew it.
They usually get changed every 2 hours. But with the hot weather here in NY, kids are given more water to stay hydrated which means that they’ll go more. My daughter wasn’t checked when she should been. They’ve been attentive and promise this won’t happen again. So, they are taking responsibility which is good.
Thanks Jen and Jeff! Princess is busy when it comes to changing her diaper, but it’s not impossible.
Thanks Patty! She’s moving up to the next level this Monday which means she’ll be potty training and wearing pull-ups. We’ll see!
If I complained and it happened again, I’d switch day care centers. I know it’s tough to find good child care, but that would be enough to show me that they don’t care about her enough for me. Good luck.
Stopping by from SITS. Have a great weekend.
Oh, that’s the worst part about being a working mom. I hate having to trust other people with Eve. It’s such a leap of faith.
This is my opinion- Daycares are being paid to care for your child. They have no other purpose. They should be experts at it and a two day in a row dirty diaper is unacceptable. If I were to be negligent on a regular basis, I would lose my job. I’d find another caregiver.
I understand the turmoil you go through. It’s SO SO frustrating to have to work and trust someone else to do whats best for your baby. I have a lady who watches her in-home, and she’s become a dear friend, but that’s kind of a bad thing, because when she does something wrong, I feel like I can’t really tear into her like I want to.
I hope it works out for you.
Peace and Love,
Tara Denny
Nowhere to go But Crazy
http://www.taradennyimages.com
oh goodness, thats my fear, i have an 8 month old that i need to start day care in a month and a half and i am literally losing my mind just the thought of it. How old was princess when you started her and how did you do? Would you say it gets better? and if you don’t mind me asking how much do you pay per week? your answers are much appreciated!
You are so right. It’s tough to find a good daycare! I hope I don’t have to switch.
Princess was 12 weeks when she started. She did pretty well. She got sick a lot in the beginning, but it got better. SHe has her ups and downs. Put it this way, I’m paying two mortgages. It’s a lot.