Sibling Set

[Nickel]

So I got a response to day from my CL ad. dcm needs ft care for 2yr old and 4 yr old. Youngest from 730-530 oldest from 11-530. So I gave her my rates and a discount but really it was the same rate as I would charge each child kwim?

Anyway, I am torn because I don't really care for sibling sets. I think many times they fight and play together and ignore the other children or exlude them in some way. If that makes sense. On the other hand it would be so nice for my dd to have someone closer to her age to play with. She will be 3 in 2 mnths.

I also am not sure I want to give up my part timers. If I took these 2 I would have to term someone. And I like all of my familes but they are all pt. I love having lighter days, but the higher income would be nice as would the ages of the children.

I originally wanted a preschool program anyway so I'm really caught here on what to do. If dcm is good with rates I will still interview, but I'm not sure who I would term if I accepted them. But I know I would also feel terribly guilting terminating someone for no reason, kwim?

I also have a 3 year old that starts after dcm is done with maternity leave. Her and my dd get along beautifully and I love the family. so I would make room for them if they still come (I no longer count on families until they actually make it through the trial period even with a deposit). But I cannot take all of them. I would be sooo over ratio on some days, but may be fine on others depending on my pt schedules.

I would love to care for only 2.5 yrs and over but I know that is hard to do in my area with the competition of MDO, headstart, and School PreK programs, and church PreK programs. But it would be ideal.

Okay, I think I am rambling at this point. If anyone can offer suggestions, words of encouragement or their experience would LOVE to hear about it! Thanks

[Blackcat31]

So I got a response to day from my CL ad. dcm needs ft care for 2yr old and 4 yr old. Youngest from 730-530 oldest from 11-530. So I gave her my rates and a discount but really it was the same rate as I would charge each child kwim?

Anyway, I am torn because I don't really care for sibling sets. I think many times they fight and play together and ignore the other children or exlude them in some way. If that makes sense. On the other hand it would be so nice for my dd to have someone closer to her age to play with. She will be 3 in 2 mnths.

I also am not sure I want to give up my part timers. If I took these 2 I would have to term someone. And I like all of my familes but they are all pt. I love having lighter days, but the higher income would be nice as would the ages of the children.

I originally wanted a preschool program anyway so I'm really caught here on what to do. If dcm is good with rates I will still interview, but I'm not sure who I would term if I accepted them. But I know I would also feel terribly guilting terminating someone for no reason, kwim?

I also have a 3 year old that starts after dcm is done with maternity leave. Her and my dd get along beautifully and I love the family. so I would make room for them if they still come (I no longer count on families until they actually make it through the trial period even with a deposit). But I cannot take all of them. I would be sooo over ratio on some days, but may be fine on others depending on my pt schedules.

I would love to care for only 2.5 yrs and over but I know that is hard to do in my area with the competition of MDO, headstart, and School PreK programs, and church PreK programs. But it would be ideal.

Okay, I think I am rambling at this point. If anyone can offer suggestions, words of encouragement or their experience would LOVE to hear about it! Thanks

I don't usually have issues with sibling sets as most the time they WANT to play separately due to being the only choice of a playmate at home....kwim?

As far as having to term someone to take these full timers, it wouldnt be for no reason. It would be because you have a full timer looking to use the space and as far as business goes, full time always trumps part time....atleast for me.

I offer the full time space first to the current family. If htey decline, I take the full timer and leave the part timer on a drop in basis and take them if/when I have space.

I understand your liking to your current set up of part time kids and easy days but honestly, if you need the income and want to take the kids on, I would do it.

Of course you can always do a trial basis to see if the kids mesh well with you and your routine before acceting them full time and terming your part timer.

[daycare]

I don't usually have issues with sibling sets as most the time they WANT to play separately due to being the only choice of a playmate at home....kwim?

As far as having to term someone to take these full timers, it wouldnt be for no reason. It would be because you have a full timer looking to use the space and as far as business goes, full time always trumps part time....atleast for me.

I offer the full time space first to the current family. If htey decline, I take the full timer and leave the part timer on a drop in basis and take them if/when I have space.

I understand your liking to your current set up of part time kids and easy days but honestly, if you need the income and want to take the kids on, I would do it.

Of course you can always do a trial basis to see if the kids mesh well with you and your routine before acceting them full time and terming your part timer.

all of what she said..

I have had tons of siblings and have never really had too many issues. Sometimes they fight a little more than the other kids, but nothing major.

If you are fine where you are and you can make the money you want, then i would stay put. I make a decent living, but I work 14 hour days and am dead to the world when my day is over. some days I would trade less money for more free time.

I used to feel bad about the part timer replacement, but at the end of the day, its a business. I do have in my PHB that all part timers may be replaced by a family who needs a full time schedule. the part timer will be given the option to go full time or surrender the spot to the full time family. Their choice.

HOWEVER.....I would really really have to like the family or need the money for me to let go of any of my part time kids....that is unless I had a part timer that was not really working out.

[Nickel]

I had one sibling set that was just a nightmare. The oldest dcb would "defend" his brother to the point of making sure no one else got a turn, no one else played with the toys, and he even pushed my dd to the ground because she didn't want to play their way.... So that has really turned me off siblings. I also had 2 interviews with sibs and they were down right mean to each other, not listening and just antoganizing each other. And one was 3 and the other was under a year... I know not all children are that way, but it wasn't something I wanted to deal with.

But I think the point is moot now. No response from dcm after I emailed her my rates. Sigh... It would have been soooo nice to have older children for dd to play with... Oh, well.