Day Care

I never gave a thought about a day care before my divorce. Never really needed to. But there we were, Wyatt and I on our own. When his mother left I had full custody for over a year while she and I battled the divorce process. My parents live three hours away and I had no other relatives to turn to. So I visited about every day care in the area. From the chain day care facilities that cost way too much to the stay at home Mom’s trying to make a few bucks watching other people’s kids. My neighbor helped out for the first week. That gave me time to find a place I could be comfortable leaving Wyatt at.
The first place, a nice lady with a day care in her basement seemed OK. Until I asked where the kids ate. “ Up stairs “ she said. Seven little kids climb 14 steps twice a day? I don’t think so.

On to another in-home day care. She had three kids of her own one about 4. The kids took Wyatt to their room to show him their toys while I talked with their mother. Just a few minutes go by and the 4 year old comes running down the hall through the kitchen and back towards the hall. I turned and saw Wyatt coming the opposite direction. When her 4 year old got to Wyatt he opened the coat closet and shoved Wyatt in and closed the door. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
We left, quickly!

After several more bizarre encounters we finally ended up at a Church Day Care. A place I could drop Wyatt off and know he was being taken care of. It wouldn’t be a center located in a basement with no windows, no dogs, and no steps to climb. Good caring people with a nice playground and lots of toys.

If you ever have to look for a day care look for one you wouldn’t mind staying at for 8-10 hours a day because that’s about how long your kid will be there. A basement with no windows probably won’t be your first choice.

“ You want to hear God laugh? Tell Him your plans.”

Why?

So you're asking " Why a single Dad for a Blog?" Why not? You can pick up any of dozens of parenting magazines and the majority of what you'll find is from the women's perspective. Single, wishing she were single, to happily married. Sure some of the stories are helpful for Dads as well but the truth is there are more and more single fathers out there that actually want to raise their kids. We're not all dead beats like the news and the courts think.

I love being a father to my son. When asked " If money wasn't a problem what would you do?" Start my own business? Explore the world? Try out for my favorite sport alla Michael Jordan? No, not even close. I know exactly what I would do. I would spend more time with my son. Maybe work part time at his Day Care!

Yeah I know what you're saying, " This Guy is Gay! He needs to get a life!"

Well I have a life. A great life! The fact is my son is growing up. Fast! One day he will move on and raise a family of his own and all this time I spend with him will be just a memory. A memory I intend to never forget. The diaper changes, the vomit all over the car, the staying up all night with a fever, trips to the doctor, temper tantrums, first steps, first words, potty training, all of it.
You see God gave me a gift, a healthy handsome wonderfull happy boy, and I thank him every day.

Now go kiss your kids and call your momma! (Jeff Foxworthy)