I resolve to no more "should-ing." No more making a decision based upon what "they" or friends or experts say I "should" do, but what is right for me and my family, based upon our needs, wants, and life goals. So, where did this resolution come from? Today it came from finally deciding to put Grace into preschool, instead of looking for a new nanny. She’s just about 2 years old, so really it is daycare plus, or preschool junior — in-between care for 2 year olds, where they do preschool for an hour or two a day, have free play, potty train, and learn how to function in a group (and for that matter, a bureaucracy). The nanny search has been driving me nuts. Even using a service (which costs a few thousand bucks each time), it takes weeks to find a new person, and tons of interviews. Every time I liked someone, she was hired out from under me by another family. Then another round of interviews, and another week or two goes by with Grace being watched by babysitters and in back up day care. And even if we did find someone, there is no guarantee she would not just quit in a few weeks or months to do something else. I had been resisting day care because I wanted Grace to have the advantage of one-on-one contact with an adult, and more time with me. I did not want her to be lost inside an institution, or her smarts brought down to average because no one was challenging her. But, the current situation was not good for either of us – for her it was unstable, and for me, I was getting way behind on work. And then I really thought about Grace, and less about me at her age. Grace is outgoing and loves people. I imagine she will love playing with other kids and being around different adults. She is assertive, and will make sure she gets attention. I’m going to trust her to try it out, and if it is not working, I’m sure she will let me know in her own way. Yes, if she gets sick I have to get a babysitter or take a day off work. But, that day off work is a blessing in disguise (see my earlier post from October). And finally, it’s not forever. It’s just an experiment. If after a few weeks, we both hate it, we can always start the nanny search again. I just hope I’m not going to work-at-home mompreneur hell for sending my baby to daycare. 
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I'm Elizabeth Potts Weinstein, a writer, teacher, and coach.