Having a great day care center makes a huge difference for our son
The caring and dedicated staff understand his Alagille syndrome needs
I feel fortunate that our 3-year-old son, Finley, has been at the same day care since he was an infant. Our older son, Jackson, bounced around between a few day care centers when he was little, but Finley has only been in one spot. That stability has been a huge plus because Finley has Alagille syndrome, a condition that causes liver and heart problems.
Over the years, we’ve gotten to know a number of the day care’s staff members very well. They’ve seen Finley grow up and develop. Many of them know his story with Alagille syndrome, and our family couldn’t be happier with the support he’s received.
The best part about Finley’s experience in day care is that his rare, genetic condition has no impact on his day-to-day experience. Until recently, he’d get his supplemental toddler formula twice a day while there. The staff made an extra effort to make sure it was a part of his day care routine. These extra steps to take care of our son’s needs demonstrate what a great environment it has been for him to grow up in.
You can tell it’s a great environment by how much Finley loves his “school.” He acts like a little celebrity when he’s walking through the halls, peering into each room. When we leave each day, he makes the rounds to wave at both the kids and the teachers in each room. He hugs his former teachers. He says his goodbyes and makes sure to push the button that signs him out. It’s become his place, and as his parent, I’m thrilled he is so comfortable being there.
The not-so-big reveal
Finley Sandstrom, 3, is overjoyed to learn that it’s his turn with his day care’s “mystery box.” (Photo by Jay Sandstrom)
Finley recently got to take his turn bringing the “mystery box” to school. This is a show-and-tell activity where the child with the box picks an item from home and writes down three facts about it. Then they try to get their classmates to guess what it is.
When Finley came home with the box, he was over the moon. It was so cute to see him pick out the toy that he wanted to present. Helping him choose facts about it to share was a funny journey as well.
After practicing memorizing the facts, which was impressive, he seemed ready to go. But when we got to school, he was upset to learn that he couldn’t hold the box all day, but had to put it up until it was time to share. It took a good five minutes for me to convince him it was OK to put it on the counter for his teacher.
When I picked him up later that day, we discovered that Finley had been so excited about the mystery box that as soon as he stood in front of his classmates, he had immediately pulled his toy out of the box. The mystery had been spoiled, but thankfully, his spirits hadn’t!
I’m thankful that he’s had such a positive experience at his day care. The teachers really care. Of course, day care is hard on the staff, and trusting your child with others can be difficult. I appreciate the care these folks provide for our son, and it shows in how he reacts to his daily experiences.
Note: Liver Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Liver Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to liver disease.
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