Dear reader, if you’re out there at all, I’m so sorry my part 2 update has taken so long. As you can imagine, it’s been a bit of a juggle adjusting to the whole make-believe work/life balance thing. Without further ado, here are my tips.

Illustration by Ryan Snook

6. Do not concern yourself if your kid is the last child left in the room, say, like, always. Focus on the positive: all the special one-on-one attention she’s getting. Even if it is from the relief worker.

7. There are no outfits redoes. Before you shove the “is that stained enough to see?,” “is it really still too big/small?” tee over his little head, consider the ramifications of changing his outfit.

8. Let the staff know you need reminders. Hey, you just started a new routine, right? Save yourself some irritation by having the right outfit for Santa pictures and returning the Scholastic order in time.

9. Accept that you are no longer the sole determiner of his interests. My son now knows the word dinosaur. Dinosaurs will soon replace dogs and animals in his favour. An obsession is not far behind. Naturally, I am considering how I can steer this towards something more kind, more gentle, more quiet, and, frankly, more “me.”

10. Be prepared for the generosity of other moms. Other mothers are always helping, quietly, in the most surprising little ways, like pulling out a treat for my son just when he’s reaching his wildest and veering towards the tipping point. I’ve long felt that becoming a mum makes you a better person, and it seems it like it still does–at least in the baby and toddler rooms. I’ll be sad when we reach the insecure/passive-aggressively-bitchy mom stage. Presumably that’s following a few more years of your professional life shredding all generous perceptions of humanity that mat leave imbued you with.

I’m going to attempt a more seamless pickup/dinner/bedtime today. Now that my son is confidently walking, the going is slower, but a lot more sweeter. Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for my soon-to-come lessons on back to work. And if you have any tips on how to force your toddler to hold your hold (and generally become a lap child), please let me know.

–Melissa, CF’s associate editor

PS: Oh! I forgot one more tip. Today my purse is stuffed for pickup with sweet potato tempura. I’ve learned that veggie baked samosas, curry beef dim sum or anything else savory plus an apple (takes a long time to eat) in your toddler’s little grubby hand  is a far better snack than crackers or sweets. Crackers fill him up before I can ply him with anything wholesome, and sugar tricks his tummy into thinking it’s full. (Thank you to our favourite daycare teacher, Kathy, aka, “Athy, Athy, Athy” for that tip.)