I’m trying to write a letter to the school division asking for two more months of leave, which means James won’t need daycare or babysitting until he’s 16 months. A year is SO young to put him in daycare. I know they’re wonderful people and he’d be just fine but I just can’t do it. I don’t want to miss anything! What if he walks for the first time when I’m not there? What if he says “Mommy” and I don’t get to hear it?
We are so lucky in Canada to have a full year off, and yet, I still don’t think it’s enough. Health Canada wants people to nurse until babies are 2, but the Government of Canada wants to back to work when they’re 1.
Anyway, I hate writing letters like this. All I want to say is, “Please don’t make me go back yet. I love my job but I can’t leave my son yet. Give me until September.” But of course, you can’t and I really don’t know how to put it.
Argh.