#140 - The Alyce Gazette: October Dispatch
Alright, folks — if you thought parenting a toddler was about routines, Alyce has officially thrown that idea out the window. This month's dispatch: Super Strong Opinions, Lightning Speed, and a Dad's survival guide from the trenches. Plus, Kat's Week Three report from the daycare frontier.
The Alyce Gazette: October Dispatch
Alright, folks, if you thought parenting a toddler was about routines, Alyce has officially thrown that idea out the window. It feels like we're living on a giant space rock, constantly getting surprised by new views! This month, Alyce is all about two things: Super Strong Opinions and Lightning Speed.
**
Alyce’s New Developments: Willpower, Speed, and Surprises
------------------------------------------------------------
This kid is basically a tiny, adorable ball of pure will and energy. First, we've hit the "Full No" Phase. Forget a casual "no"—we're talking full-blown declarations of independence. Daycare has certainly highlighted the separation anxiety and, of course, her love for Mom, who she still loves "way more" than me right now. Toddler logic, right?
Next up is the running. Our walks are now more like mini-marathons where I try to keep up, as she's figured out that running is perfect for escaping clothes changes and getting dressed. While we expected the usual daycare viruses (and we've gotten our share!), the big surprise was her picking up hide-and-seek so early. I thought that was a few years off, but she's obsessed. It's adorable, but seriously, this game lasts forever! And, of course, Alyce still loves being my copilot, getting the "tall view" of the world from up on my shoulder.
**
Dad's Survival Guide: Tips from the Trenches
------------------------------------------------------------
Here's how we're staying (mostly) sane and dealing with the chaos:
To outsmart the "NO!" Monster, I've realized Alyce just wants control, so I give her choices—the illusion of control, anyway. If I need her to do something essential, I use the Two-Choice Rule: "Sneakers or boots?" I never ask a yes-or-no question like, "Do you want to put on shoes?" If she says "no" to both, Dad picks, and that's the end of it.
For surviving daycare drop-offs, quick goodbyes are absolutely key, even when my heart breaks a little. This reassures her that the routine is reliable and that I will, absolutely, be back.
Finally, since Alyce loves running and being up high, I'm using that to my advantage by turning everything into a game. "Jacket on, then we fly!" is my new motto. The shoulder ride becomes the reward for cooperating, and it works like a charm.
It's chaotic, but seeing Alyce learn and grow? Totally worth the constant resets.
What's the funniest power struggle you've lost this week? Hit reply and let me know—we're all in this chaos together.
Catch you on the next orbit,
Damian
Oh Alyce! Daycare Diaries, Week Three
It’s been three weeks since our brave little Alyce officially became a daycare kid — and what an adventure it’s been!
Let me start by saying: drop-offs are still a bit of a circus. Alyce clings to me as if the daycare door leads straight to Narnia, convinced we might abandon her there forever. Her latest coping strategy? Calling her teacher “Mom.” (Yes. You read that right. Mom.) The first time I heard it, I laughed and cried at the same time — a special kind of emotional chaos that only parenthood can deliver.
The good news is that the tears usually don’t last long. Once we leave, she slowly settles into her day — playing, painting, snacking, and charming everyone in sight. My heart skips a beat every time I see a notification pop up on the daycare app. It’s like a lifeline — a little window into her world while I sit in front of my computer.
And now, I finally understand what my dad meant when he used to say how hard it was sending my brother and me to school when we moved to Belgium — not speaking the language, not knowing how our day was going, and just thinking about us while working. Back then, I thought he was being dramatic. Now? I get it. Completely.
The daycare sends pictures throughout the day — some full of joy, some that make your heart ache a little. There’s the occasional photo where Alyce’s eyes are still a bit puffy, and I can almost hear her little “mami.” That’s usually when Damian springs up, declaring, “That’s it. I’m going to pick her up right now!” 💔 (Don’t worry, he hasn’t… yet.)
One of the funniest parts of this new chapter is the food log. The app shows everything she eats at daycare, and let me tell you — this girl eats everything there. Mac & cheese, fish, meat, even cheese (which at home is met with her signature dramatic “NO, NO!”). Apparently, at daycare there’s no time for negotiations or throwing carrots across the room.
And then there’s nap time. The daycare staff gently let us know that Alyce isn’t exactly the napping type. While the other children are peacefully drifting off, our little social butterfly often stands up, walks around, and starts waking up her friends — happily chatting about everything she sees around them. According to her teachers, she’s been giving full “color commentary” on the room décor, proudly naming every hue like a tiny art critic. (“Blue blanket! Yellow pillow! Pink friend!”) Needless to say, nap time has turned into Alyce’s daily TED Talk on colors and life. 🎨
I have to say, the daycare team does a wonderful job keeping the little ones busy. Every day, they go outside, play in the yard, and do all kinds of arts and crafts. We’ve already started receiving masterpieces — abstract finger paintings, paper plate animals, and one particularly avant-garde collage that I think might get framed. (Move over, Picasso.)
So yes, drop-offs are still emotional, there are still tears, and we’re still adjusting to this new rhythm. But watching Alyce grow, adapt, and slowly find her place in this new little world fills us with so much love and pride.
Oh, Alyce — our tender-hearted, curious little warrior. You’re teaching us as much as we’re teaching you.
With love (and maybe some glitter glue on my hands),
Kat 💛