Last week was teacher's appreciation week, and boy, do they deserve it! My 8 year old came home from elementary school last week with a letter informing parents of the celebratory week, and an email was also sent home from the superintendent. Parents were asked to send in thank you cards, notes or any token of appreciation for our public school teachers. And as I stated, boy do they deserve it!
That said, I feel as though our daycare providers also deserve some recognition and appreciation this week. Recognition and appreciation that is perhaps overlooked during "teacher's appreciation week" since, after all, these providers are not always teachers in the technical sense of the term. They are, however, the people we trust our children with day in and day out while we are working hard to earn the paycheck which feeds and shelters our families. They are the people who look after our children, make sure they are fed, clean and dry. They are the people who ensure our children's safety when we're away. They, in many cases, leave their own children for the day in order to care for ours. They sing songs, they teach, they potty train, they change stinky diapers, they kiss boo-boos and perhaps most importantly, they witness our children's lives during the times we are unable to.
As a working mother, being away from my children all week is tough. When I drop them off at daycare in the morning, I may as well be pulling my heart out of my chest and handing it over 9 hours. It isn't easy being a working mother, and it sure isn't easy knowing that someone else has the joy of witnessing my children's lives while I am toiling away at the office. What makes it a smidge easier, though, is knowing that they are loved. They are cared for. They are learning and singing and playing and having fun. They are safe. And so today, I want to send a big thank you into the world for all of the day care providers who spend their days with our little ones. Specifically, I'd like to thank the Children's Learning Center in Coopersburg - From Katie C, the owner, to Katie S & Jackie (directors), and ALL of the staff who make it just a little bit easier for me to leave my heart behind each morning. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, FOR ALL YOU DO!