Can Anyone Relate to This?

[nannyde]

Child care is a good gig the way I see it. It suits my personality. I decided to do this seven years before my son was born so I had a bit of experience under my belt before he was born.

I was a nanny for many years before I started the day care. I loved that but I outgrew it. I was a school nurse for three years and HATED it. Every RN job I hated after the newness wore off.

The pros for me: I LOVE being home. I love my house and my stuff. I never get cabin fever. I could stay home and be in my own little world 24/7 and not miss the "real world". I love having everything my way and being surrounded by the luxuries of cable, phone, internet, computers, etc. I love being my own boss. I love being a boss. I love being able to support my son and I from home. I loved being home with my kid before he went to school.

I love love love newborns. I can't think of anything more delicious than the scent and feel of new babies. They are snugalicious. I love raising kids from birth to five. I love having the HISTORY of a big part of their lives with me. I love that connection with families where they GET that I know their kid in a way no one else but them do. They love to talk story about their kid and I am right there with them.

I love knowing the kids. I love that I can take one glance at them and tell you what they will do next. I know what they are thinking before they ever thunk the thought. I know what every epression means... every sound that progresses to full language. I know to the day when they are ready to potty train. I know everything they like to eat and everything they don't.

I love love love feeding kids. I love to cook for them and I really love to watch them enjoy it. I love the look on their face when they see it's Nan's home made pork chops and baked apples. I love the way the say our blessing and the way they talk with ecah other when they eat next to each other.

I love how they love each other. I love how they respect each other. I love how they "want" for each other as they want for themselves.

All in all.. i love the way they turn out. I know in some ways... I have a bit to do with that.

I'm proud of myself for self teaching myself how to do this. What little education I am forced to take in child care classes (over 200 hours of class) has done next to nothing to help me in actually caring for kids and running a successful business. I took a realated education (nursing) and took what I knew to do as a nurse and applied it to both child care and business.

I did this. I made it happen. When things go wrong it's all on me. Believe me a lot has gone wrong. I try my darndest to fix it and NOT repeat the mistakes. Each new family is an opportunity to make myself better at what I do. I like that too.

There's a lot to like about this job. You have to own it and make it happen. Keep coming.... keep asking.. keep researching.... and get BETTER at what you do. If you can't make your happiness happen you have to really rethink it. Lifes too short to do a job that doesn't make you happy.

[professionalmom]

Child care is a good gig the way I see it.
...

I love love love newborns. I can't think of anything more delicious than the scent and feel of new babies. They are snugalicious.

I think it's a great gig too and I already miss it and I just shut down a couple weeks ago. As for the newborns, you have to take your next vacation to come visit me in Nov or Dec. I'll have 2 newborns of my own that you can snuggle all you want! Then I might be able to get a nap or a shower! ::

[mncare]

I know I posted this awhile ago. I wanted to say thanks for your responses.

I think part of my problem is personal: mourning the loss of being a stay at home mom is a big one. Because even though I am "here" I am not really here for my child the way I was before. Her behavior and attitude have been absolutely dispicable and she HATES the daycare, it is a big factor in her personality changes. I am basically a single parent because of my husband's work schedule and that is extremely stressful. I don't get a break and it wears on me.

I also realized the I just don't like chaos. I always knew that I like things structured and routine but not to this extent. Having all the fluctuations just makes me plain cranky! (Even though I really try not to show it! ) I don't like kids breaking my things, jumping on my couch, throwing toys and constantly tattling.

That said, those are all things that I just need to learn to cope with on my part, and help the kids change on their part, for the next year and a half or so. I need to keep taking LOTS of trainings because they always leave me feeling energized and excited (until the next workday ) and they give me great ideas to add. The pluses are that I have truly great kids, when not doing the above behaviors, and I have great parents. They are fun kids and kind kids, they are smart and I really like teaching them. Summers are just really tough, I think. I know I am not the only one who thinks that.

One day at a time... I will be asking more questions I am sure!! Thanks again, everyone!