A New Day
Charlie started a new full-time daycare today. The place, while more expensive, provides a great facility, more children in her age group and an interactive, educational style that we want for our very interactive baby.
Go to a first rate daycare and you’ll experience all the benefits of real-time surveillance. On day one, I learned the staff continually logs notes in the following categories:
- Administrative
- Daily Routine
- Meals
- Memories
Administrative
Arrivals, departures and notes to my wife, who’s account I piggy back on. I feel more comfortable hiding behind her New England attitude as opposed to my Midwest nice demeanor (some might call it passive aggressive).
Daily Routine
These activities include my favorite activities: Naps and diaper changes. Shortly after Charlie’s birth, I kept copious and detailed notes on her periods of sleep and diaper contents. I didn’t buy a special notebook. Since Charlie arrrived 10 days early I just kept my baby journal in my work notebook. I came across those notes a few weeks ago while I reviewed some old pages at the office…
Anyways, these updates make sure the baby is taking care of business.
Meals
The only thing more important to our daughter’s mood than the above mention naps and fresh diapers? Food
Charlie loves her Goldfish crackers and I’d describe her as a “good eater.” I didn’t expect any issues with bottles or the food we packed for her, and the ‘records’ from the staff confirmed my belief.
Memories
I didn’t expect a couple of the entries to be pictures of the baby, but around mid-day the app (which I refreshed constantly) provided a couple pictures of Charlie exploring her new surroundings. We welcomed the surprise and it helped alleviate some of the anxiety of handing our child off to complete strangers.
Big Brother?
Keeping tabs on the baby won’t help me ‘cut the cord’ anytime soon, but those updates provide a sense of well-being and accountability.
I’m just worried that my wife (MY WIFE!) will expect the same professionalism from my reports when I’m alone with Charlie.
Ate all her cheese puffs and had a big poop. Over.
Ben Sloot 
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