This is the next chapter and update to my last post, Daycare Dilemma.
We had Leroy home for some time. Between Julie and Mike being here until Monday, and Katherine and I splitting his care on Tuesday (which is his typical day off during the week), we didn't have to have to take him back until Wednesday of this week. In typical Millennial fashion, we waited to the last minute to try addressing our concerns to the Director at SxS. Katherine wrote a great, respectful email the morning we took him in and I dropped him off on my way to work. She spelled out our concerns, even empathized as a fellow manager. She was firm, but not unreasonable. I was proud, she nailed it!
The director wrote back within hours. Her response was apologetic, respectful, and her tone matched ours with humility. She took responsibility, and shared our our horror at what happened. It turns out that they actually let that employee go over what happened. It wasn't the first lapse that management had to address and apparently the employee wasn't responsive to the criticism. She didn't take it seriously, so they let her go. I only feel a little guilty, but mostly I feel empowered by our approach to our dilemma.
Katherine and I talked it out, we freaked out a bit, we discussed our options and processed the situation. We confronted them like adults (I feel like), and they responded in kind. I mean, there is still a ways to go, and we have to work towards perfecting our relationship, making SxS into the provider we expect for Leroy. But I can't help but feel like we have made a positive step from our first reaction which was angry and reactionary. I'm embolden towards reason.
Coming out of my wide eyed, optimistic youth, I have so often been disappointed in my adult life with the sort of reactions I get from the World. Many times when I find myself in challenging situations and I try to act as my morals dictate, I don't find my intentions reciprocated. Or I even find myself being taken advantage of. Especially when viewing larger cultural events, I tend to see things played out negatively. Or I become appalled at people's seemingly sinister self preservation over humanity. I have to admit that I'm becoming jaded.
However, no! People can be reasonable. We can stand up for ourselves and ask for what we expect. Our first step doesn't always have to be reaction. I guess this is over dramatic, but hey, I'm just feeling a bit pumped this week.
Our next step is going to be to really outline (as in write and deliver) what we expect from SxS, and what Leroy's schedule should ideally look like. We can reiterate our appreciation too, and talk about what has been working for us so that it continues. It doesn't have to be a contract, just a syllabus. We can set the tone for our expectations. I'm feeling much better.
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