Cindy Sele's Child Care

06/17/2021

They say you never get this time back, and I wish that wasn't true. When I look through old pictures, my heart feels almost broken. I wish I could jump into that photo just for a second and hug that little body again.

My son is three inches shy of my height, but once upon a time he was a dream in my heart; once up on a time he was a baby on my hip. Once upon a time he was toddling around our coffee table making us gasp whenever we thought he might trip and fall on a corner.

They say to enjoy every moment, and I didn't. I couldn't. I didn't enjoy every moment, but I loved the season.

I can picture him now holding onto my hand and carrying his tiny backpack full of Hot Wheels and spare change. It didn't feel fast then. It felt like the days dragged into a thousand years and every day was a vortex of sleep deprivation and my own unmet needs. I just needed a break. I just needed a minute by myself to recover. I needed a stroll down a few aisles at Target or a drive alone blasting music that made me feel like I was out clubbing instead of driving a mom-mobile covered in Goldfish and petrified french fries.

I didn't enjoy every moment, but I loved the season. God, I enjoyed being a mom of babies and toddlers. I enjoyed taking my little crew to the coffee shop and to the playground to play. I couldn't wait for bedtime and I almost always felt guilty for not "playing" with them enough. I looked forward to that glass of wine like it was my only glimmer of hope on a long, grueling day. I complained when my husband got home from work, and nearly cried while I told him how overwhelmed I was. I fantasized about a kidless trip to Costa Rica and what I would do for just a night alone in a fancy hotel (actually any hotel would do).

I definitely didn't enjoy every moment, but I loved the season.

I enjoyed the moments that surprised me with their preciousness. They were almost never planned; in fact, they came when I least expected. I'd be watching them play together and suddenly, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and love. I'd be reading them books while they snuggled on my lap with their footie pajamas stretched out in front of them, and joy would wash over me like a warm wave. I didn't enjoy every moment, but I was living my dream. The dream was hard and exhausting and it made me cry all the time...but it was my dream.

And now, just like that, my oldest is almost my height. He gives me a hard time about some burgers I made that tasted like a salt lick. He wears deodorant and his friends smell like they bathed in a half-bottle of cologne. We play competitive games that I don't try and let him win (and he still wins anyway). I no longer worry about if he will sleep for his nap (pleasefortheloveofGod), or how to parent through his toddler tantrums. I no longer worry about weaning and the 5 cases of mastitis I gave myself (a little overeager, I think).

Now I worry about him sticking with good friends and being a leader, not a follower. Now I worry about him staying kind and keeping his soft heart intact. Now I hope and pray we will always be close and that he won't ever stop coming over and putting his arm around me (even if it's just to ask when we're eating).

I don't enjoy every moment. Sometimes when they're all bickering, I just wish for 48 hours to run away and be by myself; but nonetheless I'm enjoying this season with my whole heart.

Last night he stood next to me in the kitchen and told me a story about his day. While he was talking, I had one of those moments. I had one of those moments of overwhelming gratitude for these precious days.

I don't enjoy every moment, but I love the season.

I wouldn't trade these days for anything.

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Photo by Marianne Wiest.

05/13/2021

04/19/2021

Tour Challenger Elementary Kindergarten and meet our staff.

03/06/2021

Check this out.

03/03/2021

Have you seen the post on Dr Seuss? It is directed to these books. I personally have never seen or read these Dr Seuss books. If you have them in your reading library, what do you think about them and is action needed? Remember you are your child’s first and most important teacher.

Today, on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises celebrates reading and also our mission of supporting all children and families with messages of hope, inspiration, inclusion, and friendship.

We are committed to action.

To that end, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, working with a panel of experts, including educators, reviewed our catalog of titles and made the decision last year to cease publication and licensing of the following titles:

- And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street
- If I Ran the Zoo
- McElligot’s Pool
- On Beyond Zebra!
- Scrambled Eggs Super!
- The Cat’s Quizzer.

These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.

Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families.

02/23/2021

This week is Minnesota's School Bus Driver Appreciation Week.
A school bus driver's job is not an easy one. Their day starts early and often goes late. They deal with the cold, fog, wind, rain, ice and snow while maintaining peace on the bus and keeping to their schedules. Every day school bus drivers do more than just transport our children. They create bonds, educate and become positive roll models in our children's lives.
They are heroes that are not ever recognized because no one will ever see the bus driver who waited that extra second before allowing that student to exit when that car runs the stop arm. Or the positive and friendly attitude to the student who is having suicidal thoughts. Or how about the driver who avoided a serious accident by practicing their defensive driving?
Thief River Falls drivers have experienced all of the above and so much more.
I as their transportation director am very proud of this crew. That includes everyone from the mechanics to the bus drivers and from the office personal to the bus aids.
If you see your child's bus driver this week, take a moment to say hi and more importantly to say thank you. They will appreciate it more than you will ever know!

02/22/2021

You and your child are invited to come and see all of the amazing things we have in store for you at St. Bernard’s School! Check out this flier and click on this link to register for an individual time on 3/11 or 3/12. http://bit.ly/StBRoundUp

02/18/2021

There is an idea. Been so cold out. But now the warm up is on the way we all should be able to get outside.

Looking for a warmer way for your kiddos to play in the snow? Bring some snow into the bath tub! No clean up as it will melt and go down the drain, win win!