sick day

Dylan,

We left you home alone with a stranger for the first time.

Well, maybe not a "stranger" in the strictest of senses -- I at least got to meet her before leaving you in her care. You were sick and Mom and I both wanted to go to work. We made our first use of a Back Up Care benefit program through work. A nanny with First Aid and CPR certifications came to the house and spent the day with you for just $4/hour.

We could have sent you to a daycare facility (possibly even the one you used to go to) for half as much, but that's kind of a jerk move as a parent, placing one sick kid among 20 possibly healthy ones.

We stressed a little bit about it, Mom especially. But we decided that hiring a professional from a reputable company was a reasonable accommodation, and we just needed to trust that judgment.

Nevertheless, I left work almost an hour early and was pleased to find the house not burned down, our belongings still accounted for, and -- most importantly -- you; happy, fed, and playing with your new "friend" (even if you did manage to talk your way out of a nap).

Memorable quote from the nanny: "He really likes to eat".

Dad