Look, I’ll be honest with you. I used to think I could do it all. Write my books, manage deadlines, and somehow keep my three year old entertained with educational activities all day. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. Dead wrong.
It wasn’t until I discovered places like Believe Early Learning Mooroopna that I realized I’d been making life way harder than it needed to be. See, there’s this myth that if you’re working from home or have flexible hours, you don’t need quality childcare. But here’s what nobody tells you – trying to be productive while your toddler is asking for their 47th snack of the day? Its not just hard. Its impossible.
I remember this one Tuesday. Had a massive deadline for my publisher. My daughter decided that was the perfect day to learn how to climb out of her playpen. Every time I sat down to write, there she was. Cute as a button but absolutely determined to “help daddy work.” By noon I’d written exactly 73 words. Most of them were “no sweetie, please dont touch that.”
Thats when it hit me. I wasnt doing her any favors by keeping her home. Kids need structure. They need social interaction with other kids their age. They need activities that actually challenge their little brains in ways that watching me stare at a computer screen just… doesnt.
The truth about productivity that nobody wants to admit? Sometimes being a good parent means admitting you cant be everything at once. When I started looking at early learning centers as an investment in both our futures – not just “daycare” – everything changed.
My mornings now? Completely different story. Drop off happens at 7:30. I get home, make actual coffee (hot coffee! imagine that!), and dive into deep work. No interruptions. No guilt. Just focused time to create. And you know what the best part is? When I pick her up at 3:30, shes had a full day of learning, playing, making friends. Shes tired in that good way kids get when theyve actually done stuff.
We’ve turned our evenings into real quality time. Instead of me being frustrated and her being bored, were both bringing our best selves to dinner. She tells me about her day – who knew 3 year old could have such dramatic playground stories? I actually listen instead of thinking about the chapter I didn’t finish.
Heres what changed everything for me: stop thinking of childcare as what you do when you “cant handle it.” Start thinking of it as what smart parents do when they want everyone to thrive. Your work matters. Your kids development matters. Trying to juggle both in your living room? Thats just a recipe for everyone being miserable.
The financial side? Yeah, quality early learning costs money. But you know what costs more? Missing deadlines. Losing clients. Burning out so hard you cant even look at your work without feeling anxious. Not to mention what it costs your kid when theyre not getting the stimulation and social skills they need.
I used to feel guilty about needing help. Now I feel guilty I waited so long to get it. My daughter comes home singing songs I dont know, telling me facts about butterflies, showing me art projects that actually look like… well, something. Meanwhile Im hitting my word counts, meeting deadlines, and actually enjoying my work again.
Bottom line? If you’re sitting there right now with a laptop warming your legs and a toddler trying to eat your mouse pad, its time to rethink things. Good childcare isnt giving up. Its growing up. Its admitting that maybe, just maybe, trained professionals might be better at early childhood education than you are. And thats okay.
Your kids deserve more than a distracted parent. You deserve more than constant interruption. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your family is admit you need a village. Even if that village has tiny chairs and finger paint.
Trust me on this one. Your future self – and your kids – will thank you.
