Comments on: Arranging Childcare

By: Michelle@gotchababy

Michelle@gotchababy — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:31:54 +0000

Good point Robyn! I know that my state does have such waivers. Sorry to hear that you were. Treated rudely about such an important thing as your child’s doc– not a good way to do business! Our kids are both seen by our family doctor. It was very exciting both times to call and let the office know we’d be needing that newborn appt!!

By: Robyn

Robyn — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:56:39 +0000

Just wanted to note, because this is a question I see a lot in the circles I frequent: You do not have to have a vaccination record to enroll a child in day care. Almost all states have religious and philosophical waivers for vaccinations, and any agency that accepts state or federal money must accept those waivers. Private day care, whether in-home or a center, do not have to accept the waivers, but most usually do. It’s worth asking instead of assuming that vaccinations are mandatory.

I remember pediatrician shopping without a known due date. One office was downright rude to me about it.

By: admin

admin — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:35:43 +0000

Thanks for adding to the “while you are waiting” list, Stork! –MM

By: StorkWatcher

StorkWatcher — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:41:39 +0000

Some of the strange things I had to consider while waiting for our child were:

1. “pre-qualifying” FMLA at my company. I had no idea when I would need to use FMLA, or how I would use it, but HR made me complete all the forms right away, once I told them I could be taking a leave some time soon….. In the next two years….. You know, because I could predict when they would need to file a piece of paper with the government.

2. Finding a pediatrician. It was strange, checking out the places and having to say, “well, no. I don’t know when the baby will be born. Possibly in the next two years. Do you think you’ll have openings then? Could you please check your crystal ball office schedule and calendar and let me know?”

3. Registering with stores for baby gifts…. With an unknown due date, one which could possibly be AFTER the store registry automatically expires!

That said, doing as much as possible like this in advance REALLY paid off, when we got a call on a Friday to pick up our son on a Saturday, then needed to make an appointment to rush him into a pediatrician we’d never met with on Monday!!!! (Again, thank God for our pediatrician’s office! Once they heard we’d adopted over a weekend, were first time NERVOUS parents, didn’t get to meet with any hospital staff before discharge, and had some major concerns about our baby – they got us in immediately!)

Michelle gives great points – it may seem strange to do some of these things in advance, but it’s good to think about them. You’ll be better prepared once the time comes that you need to act!