Who in this Forum is in a "Closing Countdown"?

[lolaland]

Just wondering, from all of you participating in this forum, who is as me closing their home daycare? Who can share with me their experience/fellings/the-good-&-the-uggly of this waiting countdown? A venting thread about the before/during/after of reaching this decision and living this situation.

I would also like to hear from the ones that already are closed. How has been "life after daycare"?

Also, is anyone "secretely" contemplating the possibility of reaching this same decision? Why?

[bunnyslippers]

I am in the countdown of ALL countdowns! I am closing on the last day of school (June 24th). I have 66 more days of daycare. It can't end fast enough for me. Every day that I wake up, I am just counting the minutes until the day is over. I have had it with most of my DCPs. They are all great people, but just keep pushing my limits. They all know I am closing, so they don't really care if they push too much...we all know it is coming to a close.

For me, the hardest part of the decision is that I will be rejoining the workforce (teaching) and so my 3 year old will be going to preschool. I can't imagine him going, but I also know he is ready for some time away from his home and his mama. He is turning into as much of a shut-in as me, and really hates the daycare kids. He is ready for some independence (sniff sniff).

My husband can't wait to close. We all are tired of people traipsing in and out of our house, calling during family time, commenting on the state of our home/kids/life, etc. We are so ready for the house to be OUR house again. We moved into our home in March of 2008, and opened the daycare in August of 2008. From the second we moved in, it has been daycare daycare daycare. We finished our basement for the daycare. We have such huge plans about what we will do with that space!

I can't wait for the consistency of a real paycheck, not having to count on other people to make sure my finances are in order, and the safety net of having a team of people to work with. I can't wait to care about what I look like again, wear shoes, and socialize with co-workers and not people who view me as their employee.

I can't wait for the day when I can pick my kids up from school and give them my FULL attention. I can't wait for all of it.

I am scared about getting back into the world. I have been out of it for 5 years, and I don't get out much. I am scared that my teaching skills are a bit rusty (I teach special ed). Otherwise, there is nothing but excitement!!!!!

[lolaland]

Bunnyslippers... I cried reading every/each sentence of your reply. I'm still crying. I see myself in every one of your words (except I don't have yet a job to get back to the world) . Thank you for sharing lovethis

[Evansmom]

I have a 3 year plan

My middle child will be graduating HS in 3 years and my youngest will be 8. We are homeschooling the youngest and not beginning any traditional curriculum until that age so it works out. I want to quit doing child care all together by then but I will probably still be offering homeschoolers classes, workshops and camps. But that way I won't be working every single day for 11 hours! Which will be very nice!

Also I'm in talks with some local teachers about collaborating to start up a charter school so if that pans out I'll be involved with starting up the preschool portion of it. Reggio influenced of course

We are working toward downsizing our house, possibly building a 500 sq ft micro house where we have almost zero monthly bills. And also learning gardening and researching sustainable living so we can save money and be more self sufficient so that will be handy bc we will be able to live just off one income. We should be able to do that now but Austin is so expensive!

I love teaching so I'll still be doing that the rest if my life. Just not home daycare.

[Binkybobo]

My last day was Friday. I moved over the weekend, an dhave been enjoying my new life. I have been watching my sister's children this week, but only this week. The difference is amazing. I would have never been able to unpack and organize with daycare kids here. It took me 3 days to organize the kitchen. I blasted the radio as my kids used the stairs like a slide to race their cousins to the bottom. I never could have done that with daycare kids. My nerves would be frazzled. I am still a dc provider at heart. I notice the way I plan, schedule, and serve the kids snack and lunch has not changed. I was a bit lost at the grocery store. I couldn't stop myself from buying enough fruit for 20 people. I'll figure out how to shop like a normal person again I suppose. I will go back to my job as a preschool enrichment teacher in the Fall. I have to get out of the house. This job allows me to get off by noon. I plan to do SA before and after care. I don't think I can handle having preschoolers in my home again for a long time. How is your countdown going?

[mama0609]

Me! Me! Me! I will be done next Friday! I started my daycare last May and it was something I always wanted to do. I was really excited to be able to be at home with my kids and still make some money. I quickly realized that this is not the job for me! Oh man! I started with two school agers for the summer, a full time 2yr old and a part time 18 mo plus my own 6 and 3 yo. I had to term the SA after only two weeks because I could not handle them. Then it got a lot better and I enjoyed it for a bit. Then one of my families gradually started picking up later and later due to work hours changing and stupid me didn't say anything just let it fester until I couldn't handle it anymore. I got tired of being stuck at home until 5:30-5:45 every evening. I knew I did not want to be stuck at home all summer long so I decided I had to close for my sanity. I am very fortunate that we will be able to swing just having me SAH until we get our youngest in kindergarten in a year and a half. Fingers crossed. I actually applied and interviewed for a job back at my old office but DH and I really do not want to have to pay daycare with me making so little, when I worked I basically worked for free after daycare and gas getting there and back. Anyway, I am counting down the days and it is finally within sight!

[bunnyslippers]

Bunnyslippers... I cried reading every/each sentence of your reply. I'm still crying. I see myself in every one of your words (except I don't have yet a job to get back to the world) . Thank you for sharing lovethis

Do you have a plan to close? I know how hard it is. I don't actually HAVE a job yet, I just know that I will find one. Interviews start next month or so. I am glad you can relate to my feelings. It helps to know there are others who feel like you do ~ :hug:

[Candy]

What are you guys going to do with all of your daycare stuff?

[bunnyslippers]

What are you guys going to do with all of your daycare stuff?

Some of it I will take with me to my new teaching job. Most of it will be sold. I have a TON of stuff, so we are going to have a huge yard sale (hoping to make at least a little bit of money from it). I am going to advertise it on Craig' List. We have a ton of baby stuff, too, so we should have quite a collection of stuff to sell. I can't wait for that day, too!!!!!! So excited!!!!!!!

[MsLaura529]

Those of you planning to close soon ... any from MI so that I can come check out your stuff you'll be selling?

[Unregistered]

I am in the countdown of ALL countdowns! I am closing on the last day of school (June 24th). I have 66 more days of daycare. It can't end fast enough for me. Every day that I wake up, I am just counting the minutes until the day is over. I have had it with most of my DCPs. They are all great people, but just keep pushing my limits. They all know I am closing, so they don't really care if they push too much...we all know it is coming to a close.

For me, the hardest part of the decision is that I will be rejoining the workforce (teaching) and so my 3 year old will be going to preschool. I can't imagine him going, but I also know he is ready for some time away from his home and his mama. He is turning into as much of a shut-in as me, and really hates the daycare kids. He is ready for some independence (sniff sniff).

My husband can't wait to close. We all are tired of people traipsing in and out of our house, calling during family time, commenting on the state of our home/kids/life, etc. We are so ready for the house to be OUR house again. We moved into our home in March of 2008, and opened the daycare in August of 2008. From the second we moved in, it has been daycare daycare daycare. We finished our basement for the daycare. We have such huge plans about what we will do with that space!

I can't wait for the consistency of a real paycheck, not having to count on other people to make sure my finances are in order, and the safety net of having a team of people to work with. I can't wait to care about what I look like again, wear shoes, and socialize with co-workers and not people who view me as their employee.

I can't wait for the day when I can pick my kids up from school and give them my FULL attention. I can't wait for all of it.

I am scared about getting back into the world. I have been out of it for 5 years, and I don't get out much. I am scared that my teaching skills are a bit rusty (I teach special ed). Otherwise, there is nothing but excitement!!!!!

I was going to post but this is exactly what I would have wrote... We are in very similar situations. However I will not return to work for at least a couple years.

[MNMommy2]

June 6, 2014 So, quite a countdown still.

I am hoping to keep one of my families if they are up for it, I think they will be. I have SO MANY things that I am looking forward to!! DH is more excited than I am, I think. He want our house back so bad.

When I look at pictures of hte house before daycare it was always so nice. Everything is now trashed and I can't wait to fix/replace!

[lindysmiles]

I am in the countdown of ALL countdowns! I am closing on the last day of school (June 24th). I have 66 more days of daycare. It can't end fast enough for me. Every day that I wake up, I am just counting the minutes until the day is over. I have had it with most of my DCPs. They are all great people, but just keep pushing my limits. They all know I am closing, so they don't really care if they push too much...we all know it is coming to a close.

For me, the hardest part of the decision is that I will be rejoining the workforce (teaching) and so my 3 year old will be going to preschool. I can't imagine him going, but I also know he is ready for some time away from his home and his mama. He is turning into as much of a shut-in as me, and really hates the daycare kids. He is ready for some independence (sniff sniff).

My husband can't wait to close. We all are tired of people traipsing in and out of our house, calling during family time, commenting on the state of our home/kids/life, etc. We are so ready for the house to be OUR house again. We moved into our home in March of 2008, and opened the daycare in August of 2008. From the second we moved in, it has been daycare daycare daycare. We finished our basement for the daycare. We have such huge plans about what we will do with that space!

I can't wait for the consistency of a real paycheck, not having to count on other people to make sure my finances are in order, and the safety net of having a team of people to work with. I can't wait to care about what I look like again, wear shoes, and socialize with co-workers and not people who view me as their employee.

I can't wait for the day when I can pick my kids up from school and give them my FULL attention. I can't wait for all of it.

I am scared about getting back into the world. I have been out of it for 5 years, and I don't get out much. I am scared that my teaching skills are a bit rusty (I teach special ed). Otherwise, there is nothing but excitement!!!!!

happyfacehappyfacehappyface This! Except my last day with be June 6th. It has been great, and really good for my family, however my kids are now older and not fans of the daycare, and I was approached for a part-time RN job that will almost double my current income and require 24 hours per week instead of current 50 hours. happyface I cannot friggin' wait. I also am nervous about getting back out there as I'm sure my nursing skills are rusty, and I know it will stink to commute in cold weather / have the morning rush again. I cannot wait to get all the daycare stuff out of my house - it's completely taken over my first floor - and for our family to have living space again. I love my DCK's, but it is time to think of my family first and use my education again / return to my first career love. I was just offered this job a few days ago, so have not yet told my families. I think I will do so next Friday which will give 10 weeks notice. I'm dreading the telling them part! How'd it go for you, bunnyslippers?

[jenn]

Me! As soon as I win the lottery! :: Congrats to those of you moving on to different things. I wish you the best!

[DaycareMom]

Me! As soon as I win the lottery! :: Congrats to those of you moving on to different things. I wish you the best!

Same Here!