Poll: Was Childcare Easier When Your Children Were Little

[Country Kids]

This would be more for people who have done this for awhile but anyone can answer.

Alot of us go into childcare when we have children at home but then they grow older and go off to school. That leaves to options to either stay home and still take care of children or go out into the workforce. Since my children have become older childcare is down right hard as I really have no flexibility. I can't just leave when someone gets sick, unless I load up all the children, I can't get to appointments as easy as I'm not taking the time off just for me but for everyone. Also, it's not like we get to build up sicktime, if we become sick we lose lots of pay. We all know that older children seem to have a ton more activities outside the home!

So my question is: Do you find chidcare easier/harder/ no different with older children of your own? Also, is it enough to make you look for an outside job?

[JenNJ]

As my kids get older, it is becoming MUCH easier. My son will be in school all day next year and I know that will be even easier.

[Childminder]

When my children were old enough for after school activities it was more difficult. Now that they are grown it's easier.

[AnythingsPossible]

I have been doing daycare for 10 years. It was definately easier when my kids were younger. I contemplate different employment weekly and check the want ads every Sunday. Unfortunately you don't build a lot of work skills running a home daycare. I have made some pretty creative resumes and cover letters but none have panned out! The only job offer I have received required diapering of adults and that is something I can't handle, didn't realize that was part of the job when I applied. I am going back to school for my ECE so I can teach preschool.

[Sunchimes]

Oops, I voted before I read the question. I was thinking in terms of what it was like years ago compared to now.

It was much easier when my mom did it than it is for me now, which has absolutely no bearing on what you actually asked.

[Country Kids]

Oops, I voted before I read the question. I was thinking in terms of what it was like years ago compared to now.

It was much easier when my mom did it than it is for me now, which has absolutely no bearing on what you actually asked.

No, problem! Now I'm curious-why was it easier for your mom than you?

[Crazy8]

my youngest goes to school full days next year and I am seriously considering leaving this profession after almost 11 years. I definitely find it harder now. I am not one to take days off for "frivoulous" reasons and it is tougher on my own kids now. I need to rely on other people a lot more than I would like to. My kids can't do certain activities because I just don't have the type of flexibility in my schedule to get them there. All my daycare families take their days off to do things alone or with their other kids and not one of them realizes I sacrifice that stuff to do what I do.

ETA: now I think my answer might be easier if my kids were say 16 and up - its mostly for those K-8 ages that are harder so I think you will get a mixture of answers depending on how old the older kids are, you know?

[MrsB]

For the most part I think it has gotten easier as my kids get older. They have less doctors appointments than when they were little and there are more doctors and dentists that have weekend hours. But I am not really sure it is because my kids have gotten older or that I have refined my policies and schedules to make it easier. Now my open hours are decreased, I take all the federal holidays off, and I take my vacations now and dont feel so guilty about "my" time.

On the other hand when I started this 12 years ago, parents for the most part seemed to pick up their kids early when they got off early, or didnt bring their kids when they had days off and I didnt have as many behavior problems as I do now. Or should I say less training was involved when I started a new child. But then again I wonder sometimes if its because my parenting styles are somewhat "Old Fashioned"

[Cat Herder]

I opened 3 years BEFORE I had my kids. That was pretty easy.

I only kept SA'S until my own kids were school aged, themselves. My kids were never IN my daycare. That was, again, pretty easy.

Now I only keep infants and toddlers (my kids in junior high/high school) and it has become MUCH easier for me.

In reality, the only reason it was ever "EASY" was because I planned in advance, set hours/policies that worked for my family and enforced them.

The only difficulty I face is that my regulations went from 4 pages in 1994 to 38 pages, today. If I leave childcare it will be because of the State, not the families involved (mine or theirs).

[Springdaze]

I put easier because my kids get on my nerves more and its harder to be "daycare nice" to them, if that makes sense. I also have less kids because my limit is 5 unrelated and with mine i had 7. its harder with their activities, yes, but I dont know if another job would be flexible either. i would like to find a great job outside my home, but then Im limited on hours and what to do when there is no school.

[DaycareMama]

I voted no difference. I think its equally hard. Regardless of their age your still stuck. Whether your kids or yourself are sick, need apts, school function, whatever I find it all hard.

[Heidi]

I said easier, because at the end of the day, my time is mostly my own. My children at home at 11 & 14, and while they still need love & attention, its not at the same level as when they were little.

I have a bit of an extra challenge (and blessing) because I am homeschooling my 11yo. We just started in January, so I'm not sure how that's working yet. We are starting off "unschooling", then will probably move to a more structured program next school year. .

[Heidi]

For the most part I think it has gotten easier as my kids get older. They have less doctors appointments than when they were little and there are more doctors and dentists that have weekend hours. But I am not really sure it is because my kids have gotten older or that I have refined my policies and schedules to make it easier. Now my open hours are decreased, I take all the federal holidays off, and I take my vacations now and dont feel so guilty about "my" time.

On the other hand when I started this 12 years ago, parents for the most part seemed to pick up their kids early when they got off early, or didnt bring their kids when they had days off and I didnt have as many behavior problems as I do now. Or should I say less training was involved when I started a new child. But then again I wonder sometimes if its because my parenting styles are somewhat "Old Fashioned"

I have to laugh with you on that, because no one has ever ever ever called me strict or old fashioned, but these kids make me feel like a big meanie!

[Country Kids]

I have to laugh with you on that, because no one has ever ever ever called me strict or old fashioned, but these kids make me feel like a big meanie!

Me Too!!!! I always wondering if they go home and tellt their parents that I'm being mean to them?

What I considered challenges in my childcare over the years are nothing compared to know!

[Sunchimes]

My mom did it in the 1960's. There was no licensing then. We all ran up and down the street with the neighborhood kids, and the dcks went with us. They were like another little sister or brother to the group, and we all looked out for the younger kids (whether they were dc or siblings.) Mom didn't have a special room or special toys. It was just like having 3 or 4 more kids in the family.