Welcome to Daycare: Where Germs and Adventures Await

To my fellow parents also in the daycare trenches!

I hope this post finds you caffeinated and ready to face the endless cycle of runny noses and mysterious rashes. Today, I want to take a moment to remind you that your child's entry into daycare or moving up to the next class at daycare is not the beginnings of their educational journey but also a wild ride through an amusement park of never-ending illnesses.

 You drop off your little one at daycare, excitement and anticipation filling the air. They're about to embark on a journey of playdates, finger painting, and making friends.

But wait!

Cue the dramatic music as the germs come marching in, ready to party in your child's immune system.

First up, we have the classic common cold, that sneaky little monster that likes to make an appearance just when you think you've conquered it. Your child will become a walking tissue dispenser, leaving a trail of used tissues in their wake. You'll find yourself muttering "bless you" in your sleep, and your house will resemble a tissue graveyard.

Next, we have the stomach bug, the ultimate test of parental fortitude. It strikes without warning, turning your child into a tiny fountain of vomit and leaving you with a mop and a strong desire to bathe in hand sanitizer. You'll become a master of the "quarantine zone," frantically scrubbing every surface with the hope of banishing those pesky germs.

Oh, and let's not forget about the infamous daycare cough. It's like a chorus of coughing symphony, with your child playing the lead role. You'll find yourself becoming a human sound machine, emitting soothing "ahems" and "cough coughs" at all hours of the day and night. Who needs white noise machines when you have a child with a persistent cough?

As your child battles through the never-ending illnesses of daycare, they build up an impressive immune system that rivals the strength of a superhero. They become warriors, armed with runny noses and a resilience that can withstand any germ that comes their way. It's like a never-ending boot camp for their immune system!

So, parents, as you embark or continue this daycare adventure, remember that every sniffle, cough, and rash is just another badge of honor. They are bravely exploring the world of germs while simultaneously building up their immunity, one cough at a time.

Embrace this chaos (you will blink and you have a pre-teen who barely cuddles with you anymore or is that just me).... so cherish these moments when your child's immune system trumps the germs that dare to challenge them.

A former daycare mom/survivor