Lana’s Childcare Routine

Lana goes to daycare on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, so Russ and I have 2 whole days each to look after her. Sometimes she goes there for 4 days if she has to but I’m happy for her to just be in daycare for a maximum of 3 days. Going to the centre is like Lana's time to socialise and with other kids.

But on the next term, she will be going there on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays as I will resume my fitness class on Thursdays.

When she’s in day care, Lana has a similar routine as when she’s at home:

7am – She wakes up when I wake up and I give her her bottle straightaway so I can get myself ready. I dress her up while she has her bottle. Wipes her face and teeth so she’s all ready to go. I usually tell her that she will be playing with some friends at the day care so she knows what is going to happen. She plays with Daddy while Mummy gets ready.

7.30am – Lana’s bottles, meals and everything she needs at day care should be all in her bag by this time including medication when she’s sick.

7.50am – Daddy puts her in the car about this time. Daddy will usually tell her to have fun and that he will see her in the afternoon. She waves and kisses him goodbye. She usually blows kisses to Daddy while Mummy drives the car away. During our trip to Bendigo, we sing, we talk and she looks at many things. I, again will tell her where we are going and whom she will be playing with to remind her that she will not going to be with Mummy later.

8.35am – We should be at the day care centre about this time signing her in. Sometimes, she’s the first one in; sometimes Hanna, a friend's daughter would be there, just like this morning. I will usually stay for 5 minutes after I put her food in the fridge, etc, then I will kiss her and tell her that I have to go and that I will pick her up in the afternoon so she and her friends can play all day! Most of the time, she doesn’t mind me going especially if she’s already in play mode.

I usually tell the person who will be looking after her the time she woke up so she has an idea when to put her to sleep. She knows already when she will have her morning tea and other meals. All her food containers are labeled Lana’s morning tea, Lana’s lunch, Lana’s cow’s milk, etc. She also has a piece of fruit to share in her bag.

Apparently she has her morning tea the same time as when she’s in the house. They try to stick to routine that we have at home so she’ll won't be bothered by the change. Sometimes, when I call the centre to check up on her, she would either be playing or sleeping. Sometimes I don’t check on her anymore.

2pm - Lana has her second bottle of formula when she’s at childcare. It’s her treat for being there and so to make sure that she doesn’t get hungry if she doesn’t eat her regular meals on time.

5.10pm – Lana should be ready to be picked up. I usually tell the staff when she will be picked up on the day. Her things are usually in her bag except her water. She usually has a fresh nappy and clothes on and ready to go home. Before I go to the Nursery Room (where she’s in), I usually take a peek through the glass door to see what she’s doing. Sometimes, she’s playing, or just woken up but as soon as she sees me, she gets ecstatic and starts to call my name. She usually runs to me and I give her a hug and she will be babbling as if telling me what she’s done or what she’s been doing. I feel that she’s also very proud that I’m there picking her up. She will usually babble as if telling everyone that ‘My Mummy’s here and yours aren’t!” I will then hold her while the carers give me the recollection of Lana’s day. Then I get her bag, have a glance at the white board (Lana’s BM and sleeps are written there), and say goodbye and thank you to the carers.

5.20pm – We will be in the car driving home. She will have her high tea in the car, usually cow’s milk and bread to keep her going before dinnertime. She seldom sleeps in the car on the way home. I usually ask her what she did and will tell her when she’s going back to the centre.

6pm – We should be home at around this time. Lana and Daddy will have a short play before dinnertime. Sometimes we play on the floor while I fold the washing so she gets to ‘help’ me. She sometimes doesn’t want me to go anywhere so I just take the washing near us so I get to fold the clothes and play with her at the same time.

7pm – Our dinnertime routine is the same. Lana will have it with Mum and Dad. She likes to drink water, too. She babbles and sings and talks to us while eating her food that either Mummy or Daddy cooks. She has the same food as we have for dinner.

8pm – She has a bath at about this time. Sometimes, I let her play until she gets grizzly then I give her a bath. She plays in the kitchen talking to her reflection in the oven door while I gather the dishes to wash. We also put her toys away for the next day so she will get the idea that toys need to be put away before she goes to bed. Right after she’s clothe, I comb her hair and sing, ‘this is the way, we comb our hair” song. She loves it!

8.30pm – Daddy puts her to sleep. They play first on the bed while she tires herself out. Sometimes I could hear her giggles from the bathroom. Sometimes, Daddy will sing to her or they will look at her book. I also usually have a shower about that time and do the dishes afterwards.

10pm – By this time, Lana is fast asleep – on her tummy. I will be busy in the kitchen boiling water, steaming her feeding bottles, preparing her meals and getting them ready for the next day. I also get her clothes to be worn for the next day laid out on her chair so I don’t have to worry about what she’s going to wear the next day. I also put away the washing that Russ did for the day and before 11pm, I should be in bed watching TV or sleeping. And another day will begin…

Being a working mum is not that hard, I think it’s all about sensibly managing your time.