Can't win.

All the stars seemed to be finally aligned this weekend to have my childcare issues finally resolved. To tell the story, I need to go back to Friday.

On Friday, we picked Bart and Lisa up at childcare provider1 (CP1)’s house. CP1 showed us their brand new, adorable Dalmatian puppy they had just adopted. He was so cute and floppy and I just wanted to take him home. Then, I looked at my son, who was clearly terrified of this rambunctious little creature, as I was told he spent most of the afternoon huddled into the corner of the couch. Now, Bart does have issues with dogs. Big issues. He’s scared to death of them.

Anyway, irrational fears aside, during the day he also developed a rash over two-thirds of his body and face. It could have been the weather (it’s been freezing here). But, maybe it was the dog. Or stress. Oh god. Could it be stress? It wasn’t itchy, just very red. Thinking out loud, I said to CP1, "oh no, do you think he could be allergic to the puppy?" (Side note: I took him to the doctor on Saturday and she doesn’t think it’s an allergic reaction (because of the not itchy thing); she didn’t know what it was.)

Okay, so fast forward to Sunday morning when I received a phone call from (and I hope I’m not giving too much away here) childcare provider2 (CP2), who lives about 6 doors down from CP1. CP2 had, out of the blue, come to CP1’s house to get some advice on starting her own service for home care for school age kids. CP1 mentioned our situation, with Bart being afraid of/allergic to the new puppy, and said that I might be looking for a new arrangement. The kicker? I know CP2! Her daughter and Lisa are friends at school. I had a long conversation with her about how I would need her to be reliable and consistent and she was all "Of course! I know what it’s like to be left scrambling at the last minute. Unreliable childcare is the reason I had to quit my job and why I am now starting this home daycare."

I called CP1, told her that I will be going to CP2 and her response was, "that’s so great; I’m so glad that will work for you and Bart. If CP2 is ever sick, call me and I’ll be your back-up!" The new arrangements start today!

So, in conclusion, my childcare issues seem to be resolved, I didn’t burn any bridges, I now have primary childcare and a back-up, and I didn’t have to do any of the legwork to make it happen. Yay me.

Oh, yeah… and Lisa is home sick today. I'm doing the morning nursemaid shift; Homer will take the afternoon shift. Terrific.