Second Trimester

Child Care

“Becoming a parent has been the single biggest educational experience of my life. I feel I could pass any course in medicine, psychology, time management, creative thinking, arts and crafts, first aid, early childhood education… you name it! But easily, the single most important lesson I learned since becoming a mother nine years ago is that it’s ok not be to perfect.  I’ve always been a perfectionist and have put so much pressure on myself to excel in whatever project or activity I participated in. I wanted to be the perfect mother as well. That wouldn’t be easy under any circumstances, but when you’re a working mother on an odd shift in an extremely demanding profession, it can be maddening. I read every book I could to try to prepare myself for every possible scenario. The only problem is, the babies don’t read the books!

I’ve learned my children don’t care if I’m perfect. They just want my time and attention. They’re very forgiving of my flaws and shortcomings. They like me just as I am. Whenever someone in the newsroom is expecting, that’s the thing I try to impress upon them. Enjoy every moment with your little ones. Don’t spend so much time stressing about doing the “right thing”, that you’ve let even a day of smiles or hugs escape you.”

—Nancy Cox, LEX 18 NEWS anchor, mother of two

“My theory on choosing childcare is to go with what your gut tells you. Look at several and see where you feel most comfortable. I prefer a day care center to a private home or nanny. In a center versus a private home, there are stricter rules and regulations. There are more parents to meet and there are other people watching what's going on, especially since an infant or small child can’t tell you what's happened during the day. We have been very happy with our son’s daycare even though we have had a few rough spots.  After one incident where he fell down, some other moms said that we should have changed daycares. I felt like that was a bit extreme and that he could have fallen at any place in anyone's care—or even with me.”

—Mary, pregnant with second child