Tyler's Assessment
I took off today due to the laundry list of things that I need to do...mainly meetings and Tyler's developmental assessment. I noticed that his development, specifically his speech, is delayed for his age (he's 2) and I had concerns initially at the beginning of the year. I was told that his speech will "just start" on its own and I noticed that it didn't. The assessment went well. He was evaluated by his Early Steps case manager, a speech therapist, and another woman who was from the Early Intervention component of the program. As I already believed, Tyler was found to have significant delays in his speech and his "attention" skills. My son rarely sits still. A lot of suggestions were made, including working with him in the evenings (which doesn't work well since he rarely sleeps at daycare and is exhausted in the evenings) and considering putting him in a more structured daycare.
ARGH!
I'm not bothered or upset at the thought of putting him in a more structured daycare. I know that is what he needs. My issue is not even the financial impact of putting him in a more expensive (and it will be) daycare. My concern is the logistics. I'm an accountant. I also work a second job. Both require me to work late from time to time outside of home. My primary job is much less flexible on the after-hours issue. When I have to work, I have to work. I'm a single parent and the primary responsibility for raising Tyler is mine. His father is in his life, though he does not live in this town and travels regularly even if he did. So I have to figure this out. How do I put Tyler in a structured daycare that REQUIRES me to get him by 6pm daily while also fulfilling my job needs?
At one time, his father offered the idea of getting Tyler a part-time Nanny to help me after work. I didn't take him up on the offer because I didn't find it necessary at the time. I plan to talk with him in the coming days to discuss options. I don't easily trust people and once you find someone who genuinely cares for your child (and your child likes them) you don't want to disrupt that relationship. The thought of introducing him to 2 new environments gives me heartburn. The flip side of this is I don't see how this will all be feasible without asking for an increase in child support. Some conversations are just uncomfortable, for me, asking for more money (his father and I have an arrangement where he pays 100% of Tyler's costs...and yes, I am overjoyed that he has such a giving spirit!). I will take some time this evening, tomorrow, and the weekend to brainstorm ideas...in between finishing the work for my client.
*sigh
ARGH!
I'm not bothered or upset at the thought of putting him in a more structured daycare. I know that is what he needs. My issue is not even the financial impact of putting him in a more expensive (and it will be) daycare. My concern is the logistics. I'm an accountant. I also work a second job. Both require me to work late from time to time outside of home. My primary job is much less flexible on the after-hours issue. When I have to work, I have to work. I'm a single parent and the primary responsibility for raising Tyler is mine. His father is in his life, though he does not live in this town and travels regularly even if he did. So I have to figure this out. How do I put Tyler in a structured daycare that REQUIRES me to get him by 6pm daily while also fulfilling my job needs?
At one time, his father offered the idea of getting Tyler a part-time Nanny to help me after work. I didn't take him up on the offer because I didn't find it necessary at the time. I plan to talk with him in the coming days to discuss options. I don't easily trust people and once you find someone who genuinely cares for your child (and your child likes them) you don't want to disrupt that relationship. The thought of introducing him to 2 new environments gives me heartburn. The flip side of this is I don't see how this will all be feasible without asking for an increase in child support. Some conversations are just uncomfortable, for me, asking for more money (his father and I have an arrangement where he pays 100% of Tyler's costs...and yes, I am overjoyed that he has such a giving spirit!). I will take some time this evening, tomorrow, and the weekend to brainstorm ideas...in between finishing the work for my client.
*sigh
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