Closing Down

[Crystal]

Dave what kind of post(s) did you put on facebook?

I mean, what would have constituted an actual mental health clearance?

That stinks that you are going through this, but to be honest you DO sound depressed and stressed out. I hope you can see this as a positive. A break for you, a chance to re-open with new kids/families and a chance to prove to DHS that you are a good provider!

Best of luck!

I agree.

Perhaps, Dave, this is really a blessing in disguise?

[SilverSabre25]

((hugs)) Sorry you're going through this.

Take this as a sign that you need to regroup and relax for a bit...focus on your kids and your family, and then once all is clear you can reopen and go about it refreshed and ready to go again.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I am truly sorry to hear this Dave. I'm so sorry. My husband, as a fellow male child care worker and owner, sends his sympathies. THE FIELD OF ECE NEEDS A FEW GOOD MEN !

[Unregistered]

FB has become proof that everyone has a mental disorder!

Hopefully i can reopen, course it wont matter since im sure this is going to chase my daycare parents away real quick

Just think of it as a future for the lession. If it is something you wouldn't say to your daycare business don't post it on FB. Unfortunatly, espesually in small towns, this job (as well as any job with children or business) is all about image. You have to make sure that you are dignified but not stuffy, that you are tough but fair, that you can hold a professional image for the parents but still be goofy for the kids and that you don't crack under the pressure when the parents (and even the kids) can see you or they will eat you alive! In this economy, family child care (all daycare for that matter) has become a blood sport!- who can provide the best care for less, who has more flexible hours, who has the most expierience/education, etc.

Too bad fixed pricing is illegal because IK a lot of providers in my small town who say that a lot of SAHMs who don't need to make an income keep undercutting everyone else and it makes it hard for anyone to get kids.

[e.j.]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope you can get things worked out.

[Scout]

This is terrible! I truly hope that you are able to use this time to your families benefit & be able to enjoy it, even just a little bit. Use this time as quality time with the twins & your wife. Relax, regroup,& rejoice in the blessings you do have! Try to remember there is always someone who is worse off than you. Best wishes! Hope you stick around here!

[itlw8]

this just bites.... so all you need is a letter from your dr??? will that be enough

[bunnyslippers]

What a terrible situation! I am outraged for you. Hope you can get through this and come out better on the other side.

[Logged Out]

I am sorry to hear this because I know the lack of income will be stressful but this honestly sounds like the best thing for you, Dave. Your posts here have become increasingly more sensitive in nature, concerning your frame of mind, and I think you need this break to get yourself together.

I hope you can reopen, or find a situation that works better for your family. Having followed your story for more than a year now, I see a common theme of being dissatisfied and unhappy in all your posts. I sincerely hope that you can see this as a positive for you, your children, your wife and your daycare children.

All the best.

[Countrygal]

I'm so sorry. This is every daycare's nightmare. Praying for you and your situation!

[Unregistered]

When women express their feelings and emotions they call it PMS. When men do it, its called a mental depression disorder!

[Hazel]

I had a somewhat similar situation, there is a small yet full sized Daycare center near me and I know people from the neighborhood that work there. I think one let it slip that I babysit, and since they all walk past my house to go to the deli on their lunches, I was getting the "stinkeye" for about a month. Next thing I know I have the police at my door saying someone called in saying I was abusing the kids! That screaming was reported. I only had my 2 angels here that day, so I invited the officer in to see (not something I would normally suggest, but I was super confident that this was the best way to go).
He saw a 4 and 5 year old brother and sister sitting quietly on the couch watching sponge bob and giggling. I asked "does anything look out of order here?" he said no.. I told the kids to say hi to officer ---- (bc we have 5 cops in my town and I know them all) and he asked them how they were. They said good and so the cop was on his way. I took him outside, told him about the attitude from the local DCC and he laughed and left.
But for a bit there I was both scared to death and furious!

[melilley]

Wow, so sorry! If it makes you feel any better (it probably won't) I had to get a mental health exam from my doctor...although, my state requires it. I do agree with some posters, you really have to watch what you say on social media sites because people can easily misconstru (sp?) what you say and turn it into something you totally didn't mean, you can't see that persons expression or hear their tone of voice by reading typed words. Or they feel the need to be immature and turn you in because they don't like you or use what you have said with or without knowing the context as "proof" and know that someone on the outside will think you have said something one way . It's so immature, sounds like High School BS. It's people like that that make me think twice about opening up my home daycare! I mean, what do you do? Some of us can't always have other people there to watch our backs and vouch for us if someone says something happened. Sorry I'm getting off track! Anyways good luck and I feel for you. And I agree...Daycare does need more male providers! I worked in a center and we had a couple of male teachers and the kids really bonded with them! Boys and girls alike!

[My3cents]

DHS came by today to follow up on the reports they had about my mental status. Requesting authority to speak with my doctor about my mental health and ability to watch children. They gave me the option of shutting down till they are done investigating. I went ahead and agreed because this is my income and i want to help prove to them i am good. Im hurt and betrayed by whichever so called friend or family on my FB reported posts to them about me. It could be anyone, i have lots of friends including other daycare workers in the area. So i closed down my FB as well and am closing down my daycare now too. Hopefully i can reopen, course it wont matter since im sure this is going to chase my daycare parents away real quick

It is hard to respond to this because I feel like I don't have all the information of what is actually going on.

My thoughts to your post have always been its like pulling teeth to understand what you are trying to get at and say or have understood. I chalk it up to you either struggle to type it all out and or try not to come across as a gossip. I could be way off- but this is how I have felt about your postings in the past. I feel I have tried to give you good information to help you further your business and be the best provider you can be, encouraging you along the way as a man in this field.

Wish you the best-

[DaisyMamma]

I'm so sorry for you Dave.
Hang in there.