What Do You Usually Say When Asked About Your Profession?

[allsmiles]

Definitely. I just don't see the benefit of hiring people, and having 100 children. i like the small, clode group that I have. They learn a lot here, but they get to fall asleep on the couch in the morning occasionally if they are not feeling well. If I have a day where there is only 1 or 2 we leave to get our nails done together or frozen yogurt. I don't see the benefit for me of having a large, commercial daycare.

awww thats so cute! i wouldnt mind doing it one day..well not 100, maybe 30 LOL BUT i just dont understand why its looked at differently??

[familyschoolcare]

I run a school aged day care out of my house, is my usual response. I usually get asked so you pick the kids up from school, you help them with homework, how many kids do you watch? When I tell people I only watch 6 children at a time. They usually say something like 6 really that many?

[Play Care]

I don't think you sold out!

When asked I share that I'm self employed, own my own business, and I'm a licensed daycare provider.

It's all the truth, I work incredibly hard, and I think I deserve to be proud of what I've accomplished




My dilemma comes in when people then start talking about trouble they're having with their own daycares and I'm left to either play Sweden and try to stay neutral or risk venturing into the *omg that's horrible I can't believe you're putting up with that get the heck out* territory

YES! One of my issues is that people always want me to "talk shop" in a way that I don't think they would with anyone else (can you see asking the doctor you just met at a ****tail party about the boil on your neck?! :: )
I am very proud of what I do, I make very good money doing what I do, and the "fringe" benefits of my job are AMAZING. But honestly the LAST thing I want to dicuss while out enjoying a glass (or two) of wine is the problem someone is having with their dc.

[Mom&Provider]

I can understand why you felt a bit out of place, I have on occasion also, but I think there are many many benefits to what we do, even tho it isn't very prestigious it's totally worth it! happyface

I also used to tell people what I did for a living, before I started daycare, and they were always very interested and asked more questions about what I did etc. Now, I get the same as most have commented "I could never do that", "bless your heart, how do you do it!?"

I don't like it when people say or feel like we are glorified babysitters! Babysitters order in pizza to someone elses home, they invite their boyfriends over to watch a movie after the kids are in bed and they go home at 11 pm once adults come to get them! LOL! There is sooo much more to what we do...not to mention the fact that we are CEO, CFO and all the rest! It's something great to run and own our own businesses and we should be proud!

I for one like the time I have with my own kids, my ability to take them to after school things easily and on time no rushing, serve healthy meals (most days!) vs those on the run like alot of parents have to do to get to where they are going after work. I also like to be the boss, have my time off when I want it and I don't have to go anywhere in the morning...other then my front door when it rings! Lots of perks if you ask me...but that's what being a CEO means!

[Binkybobo]

had the same issue working outside the home.. i worked for a government agency but my position because we didnt deal with the public was looked down on.. the positions out in the "field" were held at more stature.. I was very happy about my pay and my responsibilities but it still hurt JUST A LITTLE when ppl said "oh" followed by an awkward silence.. when i told them what i did. BUT if i told them WHO I WORKED FOR.. they would be liek "REALLY, oh i have so many questions blah blah blah" .LOL but whatever.. like you said we just have to work on being okay what we do, but until then, i am good about being VERY general HAHA..
me :i have a daycare..
them "oh wow, really!! thats awesome!!, i would love to have my own business, daycare makes ALOT of money!!"
me:

A lot of money! Yeah right! That CEO spent my monthly earnings plus I am sure on a bottle of wine that was dare I say ONE YEAR OLDER THAN ME!!!! I know it's best in society for us to say that these things don't bother us on a small level, but it does. It is looked down on to say that you don't like your hair, or you don't like your body shape. I love what I do, but I am not afraid to admit that sometimes I'm reluctant to admit it. I am really not as shallow as I may sound. I'm just admitting to something that we may have all felt at some time. I appreciate your honesty!!!

[Country Kids]

OK, here's what I said at a class reunion. I was a researcher in the field of child development and had several subjects that I studied at a time.

Mouths dropped-

[allsmiles]

OK, here's what I said at a class reunion. I was a researcher in the field of child development and had several subjects that I studied at a time.

Mouths dropped-

i bet!!! LOL

[Evansmom]

I just always say I own my own business. And if it goes farther than that I say I have a small group of children that I teach in my home which is true.

But as I write this I feel sad that our society doesn't value the profession of caregivers more. I know what the OP was talking about feeling that kind of sinking feeling when you tell someone what you do. It's absolutely not that what we do isn't valuable and really really important because it IS! It's just that society doesn't value us and that's really sad. What could be more wonderful than giving care to others??? The love we give and that we receive from these kids and the appreciation we get from their parents is worth more to me than money or prestige.

[Binkybobo]

I just always say I own my own business. And if it goes farther than that I say I have a small group of children that I teach in my home which is true.

But as I write this I feel sad that our society doesn't value the profession of caregivers more. I know what the OP was talking about feeling that kind of sinking feeling when you tell someone what you do. It's absolutely not that what we do isn't valuable and really really important because it IS! It's just that society doesn't value us and that's really sad. What could be more wonderful than giving care to others??? The love we give and that we receive from these kids and the appreciation we get from their parents is worth more to me than money or prestige.

This is so true. Last night my husband and i were watching a soecial on children born into royalty when they mentioned a college for nannies which i believe is in London. I was so impressed! I would love to go to a nanny college no joke. I figured that we didn't have things like that here because people don't want a woman like the nanny on the show super nanny. They don't want a knowledgable Mary Poppins. They want someone who will watch their child for dirt cheap. In most cases that is the only criteria...very sad

[blandino]

Yes, I always say I OWN a Preschool / daycare. Or say I am a preschool teacher, or a childcare provider. I used to say it because it sounded nicer, but when I thought about it - my kids do and learn way more than any preschool I know of.

In all honesty, sometimes I feel like the word daycare is what some people are turned off by. I think all of a sudden they get all of these awful connotations, no matter how off base they are.

[Binkybobo]

Could this be a result of women's liberation? A few decades ago women fought hard to break the stigma of barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. There is nothing wrong with being a SAHM. There is nothing wrong with not being a SAHM. i think when people hear home daycare, they think SAHM that baby sits instead of WAHM. Again I say women should be allowed to saty at home and not work if that's what they want, and they can afford it. I just think the women who fought to get out of the house had to raise extreme argumants that changed the way we look at women who do not wear power suits and go to the office on a daily basis. IDK, I was in the backyard pretending to be a farmer with 3 year olds when this popped into my head.

[Binkybobo]

Could this be a result of women's liberation? A few decades ago women fought hard to break the stigma of barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. There is nothing wrong with being a SAHM. There is nothing wrong with not being a SAHM. i think when people hear home daycare, they think SAHM that baby sits instead of WAHM. Again I say women should be allowed to saty at home and not work if that's what they want, and they can afford it. I just think the women who fought to get out of the house had to raise extreme argumants that changed the way we look at women who do not wear power suits and go to the office on a daily basis. IDK, I was in the backyard pretending to be a farmer with 3 year olds when this popped into my head.

I have to aologize for this because I realize that there are also many men that are home daycare providers who face the same struggles.

[DCMom]

I am the president of a small corporation that deals with the care and development of children under the age of five.

Love it! I'm using this from now on

[bunnyslippers]

I have to be honest. I usually don't tell people that I have a home daycare. Sounds silly, I know. I tend to say that I am staying home with my kids for a few years, until they are old enough for me to go back to teaching in a public school.

I used to have a pretty high powered job in a public school system, and it garnered a lot of respect. Being a home daycare provider has a stigma attached to it around here, and it isn't one I enjoy. So, I tend to shy away from telling strangers about it.

[Lyss]

Usually I hear, "Oh I could never do that" or "Are you crazy?" or some variation of that.

All to which I reply, "Yeah, it isn't a career choice for everyone and not everyone could do it but it works for me."

I get this all the time too, or "wow you must have your hands full!" Honestly I rarely get the "positive" ones, But I just smile and respond the same as BC.

I understand how you feel though. My inlaws are always making comments about how its too bad I "don't have a career" Umm really? Thankfully DH usually steps in on that one before I snap out something just as rude. Like it or not a lot of society take people like us for granted and looks down on us. They shouldn't but it happens way to much.

My dilemma comes in when people then start talking about trouble they're having with their own daycares and I'm left to either play Sweden and try to stay neutral or risk venturing into the *omg that's horrible I can't believe you're putting up with that get the heck out* territory

I hate when the conversation turns to this! I have on many occasions got "Do you think my DCP charges to much?" or "do you think I have rights to..." I really try to play Sweden or suggest they consult their contract because, friends or not, I know from my experience with DC parents things aren't always as they see them.

I'm gonna have to try out some of the suggested "titles" listed here and see what reactions I get!