Kinda dissapointed.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

So I care for all of my DCK's part time. Each DCK is here 1, 2 or 3 days a week.
They pay me a daily rate of $30 a day/ per child.

I have had my families for a year and a half, and they are all good kids and nice parents.

They all work good paying jobs (oil field, nurse, engineer's, insurance).

So I was thinking that I would get all of the kids a little present for Christmas. Nothing spectacular, just a small one.

Pay day is today and I recieved half my pay cause they have all these days off for holidays.

Now im wondering if I should do something for the kids or just say screw it.

I will only get around $900 this month. I have 2 of my own boys that have b days on the 12 and 19th of Dec, then Christmas and all the parties and well you get the picture!

WWYD?

[wdmmom]

Were any of the kids you have now around last year? What did you do then?

If you want to be nice and buy something, I'd make it something super small. Like $5 or less. Buy a puzzle or a book or a gift card or a coloring book and some crayons.

[daycare]

they shorted your pay because they had holidays unpaid??

I stopped doing anything to please the parents and only do things for the kids.

I would just get them a color book and crayons from the dollar bins at target. I would not do any more than that. I would say max $3.00each OR
YOu can invite them to your kids B-day parties and use the goodie bags as their gifts.

You know, my child went to a center for years when she was little and they always got a candy cane. that's it!!!

[sharlan]

We're not centers, though.

Do what your heart and wallet tell you to do. If all you feel up to is to have a little party with cookies and punch, do that. I only have 2 daycare kids, so I bought them gift cards last month.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

No Im pretty sure they have paid holidays. The are just taking some days off so they dont need me to watch the kids anymore.

Last year I lost all but 1 dck. He is still with me now and Last year I bought him some books that made farm animal sounds. He was 1.5 yrs.

Im just not sure what to do. These kids are the video game and nothing but the best will do kind of kids.

I was originally thinking i could buy some christmas mugs at the dollar store, fill gift bags full of hot chocolate and marshmallows, slip it in the mugs, tie a candy cane on the bag with curling ribbon, add some tags and thats about it for the older kids and books for the younger ones.

[sharlan]

That sounds like a really good idea.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

Thanks, I though it would be kinda cute. Feel free to copy!

I guess Im just dissapointed that I get less pay this month when I need it most.

[MarinaVanessa]

I think that's a cute idea too. You can embelish the candycane idea and cut out little antlers out of brown paper, glue little googly eyes on it and a red fluffy ball for a nose and VOAHLAH!! You have a candy cane reindeer.

[daycare]

I think that's a cute idea too. You can embelish the candycane idea and cut out little antlers out of brown paper, glue little googly eyes on it and a red fluffy ball for a nose and VOAHLAH!! You have a candy cane reindeer.

super cute!! and the kids love that stuff....

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

I think that's a cute idea too. You can embelish the candycane idea and cut out little antlers out of brown paper, glue little googly eyes on it and a red fluffy ball for a nose and VOAHLAH!! You have a candy cane reindeer.

Thats one of the Christmas crafts I do for the kids too!