It’s [1] Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day . I know some people have chosen to stay home and find it fulfilling. I applaud them for their determination to follow the path that works best for their family. I needed to return to work after my 1 year of maternity leave came to an end and Reid needed to be out and about with other kids. Our family was lucky to find a high-quality daycare centre where Reid has flourished. I very much believe the axiom, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Good daycare allows the mamas among us who choose and/or need to work outside the home. Of course, it is the teachers and caregivers that make or break a daycare. Today I’d like to pay tribute to all caregivers - those who watch after Reid and those who care for your kids, too.

The teachers have nurtured Reid’s creative side, helped to develop her independence and self-help skills, challenged her to see exactly what she is capable or and comforted her when she needed it. They provide advice to us parents, too. I haven’t always taken it but I do appreciate that they had Reid’s best interests in mind. Reid has had few troubles at daycare, but when we have - like when Reid was having that bullying trouble - the teachers have been responsive and acted to resolve the issue immediately.

I love my daughter immensely. I like kids generally but I know I don’t have the patience and other skills to manage 8 three- or four-year-olds at a time. I certainly couldn’t have managed 4 infants nor even 5 toddlers. There are special people who are able to these things while being playful and nurturing and so much more. I am glad that Reid spends her weekdays with some of them.

If you would like to learn more about the state of childcare, visit [2] Code Blue for Childcare or the [3] Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare. Today might be just the day to write a letter to your [4] Member of Parliament or your representative in your provincial or territorial legislature (or whatever your representative in whichever system you’re living in).