I recently received an email from my daughter's preschool teacher letting me know that the school would be closed the following Tuesday, and I have to tell you, I never realised how much I count on that four-hour break until it was taken from me.

From a practical standpoint, I understand and accept that daycares sometimes need to close. Whether it's a planned holiday break or a spontaneous snow day, it happens, and I get that. Nevertheless, it throws me off. I'm the type of mom who loves my routine. I go all in when I'm wearing my mom hat, knowing that a few hours off is just around the corner. And when that doesn't end up happening, I tend to lose my cool.

Suddenly being faced with your kids from dawn until dusk can be stressful, to say the least. Play dough only keeps them busy for a limited time. And for moms who work full time, there's another set of obstacles to deal with. Many parents are left scrambling to find alternative childcare or gritting their teeth as they dip into their treasured PTO.

Day care closures aren't always terrible though. They often make way for cherished family time, and a break in the routine can pave the way for a special day that lives on in your children's memories. But whether the day goes by seamlessly or makes you question your sanity, you've probably thought these things — and you've most definitely thought about how much you appreciate your child's daycare workers.