When I was a working person before (back before Jack was born), casual Fridays (in the government office where I worked) meant men could get away with open collars and women could get away with dressy khaki pants and maybe a sweater. So casual Friday wasn’t really anything that exciting.

But in the office I’m in now, Casual Friday means jeans. I love it. For one day a week, I am allowed to slip into the wardrobe I spent the last four years in. Jeans, chunky sweaters, cute t-shirts, clogs. So not only is it Friday and I won’t have to set the alarm tonight before I go to bed, but I get to spend the day feeling comfy. As the weather gets warmer, however, I am curious to see if Casual Friday extends to my ultimate in comfort wear: flip flops. (I own no less than 30 pairs of them. All colors, all styles. I LOVE flip flops.)

In other (non-wardrobe) news: an update after yesterday’s shocking Daily Report discovery. I talked with some people in my office about it who have/had children in day care about the situation. One of the women went to work in a day care for about 6 months before she returned to work because she wanted to see what environment her children would be in when she returned. She was a great resource in this conversation, along with all your encouragement and advice.

I decided to write a letter to the principal, for a number of reasons. In my previous interactions with her, she has been extremely condescending in conversation. Very quick to cut you off (while inserting those annoying counselor-esque phrases like “I hear what you’re saying, but…” or “What you’re telling me is xyz, but…”) and very quick to dismiss you. I also knew that I revert to one of two extremes in confrontational situations like this one was bound to be: 1) I concede immediately and say wimpy, push-over things or 2) I get so worked up that I am not able to form rational sentences or formulate cohesive arguments. Also, having given her a letter, I have a record of the information she got to pass up to her supervisor should the need arise.

So I typed up the letter yesterday, had a couple people look over it, and made a copy of the Daily Report that I attached to the letter. I did not address the host of other issues I have with the center, but rather stuck to only the issue of the fabricated Daily Report. When I went to pick the children up, I first walked into her office and handed it to her. (I was very friendly while doing so…) I foolishly assumed that in the 10-15 minutes it would take me to gather up the kids, pick up all the day’s artwork, etc, that she would have time to read the letter (it was only 3 well & strongly worded paragraphs) and at least acknowledge it when I left. (Her office is right next to the front door. To get in or out you have to walk right by her office door.)

I don’t know…I guess I thought she’d say something like “You’re right, this is not acceptable. We’ll look into it and get back to you.” Or something along those lines. But she didn’t. She had the vice principal in her office with her as I left and they both just turned to glare at me as I walked by.

I think I’ll give her until Monday to at least acknowledge the issue and then I’ll send the letter on to her supervisor. Is that too soon?

I’m going this afternoon to check out the new day care I mentioned yesterday. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Happy Friday!