Biggest Issue

[caregiver]

I considered having multiple options available and then decided not to go that route for a couple reasons...

I do think we all have issues in each area at one time or another but I was genuinely interested in each providers MAIN issue/stressor.

Allowing posters to choose more than one option gives false results then as to what is overall the biggest issue for child care providers is.

Some posters would choose 2 or more options while another would only choose one...so I think that would alter the "big picture" I was trying to see. kwim?

I wrote about 2 issues,parents and kids behavior,but I guess if you want one that is the biggest for your survey, I think hands down it will have to be the parents issue on not parenting. Hope that helps a little with your results.

[KDC]

I think the hardest part about this job is feeling undervalued as a person. When I worked a corporate job I had raises, promotions, gushing e-mails & bonuses for hard work. I've had a lot of long term families, and they all started out very appreciative, but are now just used to me going the extra mile and 'expecting' it. For Christmas I put together a DVD highlighting the fun things we did over the years set to music it takes a lot of time and energy and I love being able to provide that to my families, this is now an expectation. Now I don't even get a response of 'Thank you'... so guess who's getting generic presents this year? My families. And it ****s, but I'm sick of it being an expectation. Families used to appreciate my crafts. "Thanks for taking the time, energy and $$ to complete this craft, looks great, so special." Now... it gets shoved in backpack - mangled. Because working with 7 children, painting their feet, getting their precious foot prints to look like ghosts, wiping off their feet and letting them shake glitter everywhere is STRESSFUL, but ultimately the kids enjoy themselves and it makes it worth it to see them so excited to give it to their parents, who ultimately crush it, and slam it into their backpacks. =( Mix that with the jerk that just tried to underpay me - I'm just deflated by this job and dreaming about the day I can give notice. Good luck finding someone else to put up with your crap. I love the kids and will miss THEM not their rotten parents.

The kids are why I got into this job, and they're wonderful. The parents are why I will get out of this job. It's a shame.

[Leanna]

I voted "other." I'd say my biggest issue is organization (my lack of it that is). I am not a naturally organized person and I am CONSTANTLY trying to figure out techniques that will work for me.

[originalkat]

TAXES! I just dread doing them and it is the worst part of this career IMO.

[My3cents]

I think the biggest issue I have had in the last few years is with parents, not parenting and not disciplining their kids. It seems like parents today want to be "Their child's Friend" and not wanting to do anything to upset their kids. They let them (the child ) get their way and give them whatever they want and therefor the child is getting very spoiled and when they come to daycare where there are rules to follow, the child has major meltdowns because they are not allowed to do whatever they want or always have their way AND have to follow the rules, which they are not a custom to.
So I guess my biggest issue is parents not wanting to parent. I really can't blame the kids because they are just being like they are at home and don't know anything else until they come to daycare and find out that they have to behave.

lovethis

I didn't poll, but many issues and they all depend- and they come and go depending on clients, where society is at the time. I could have wrote the above today- Parents don't tell kids no these days. No is a reality of life.

I have one little that comes in here and has a melt down because I have rules, and he just can't do whatever, whenever. Makes for a hard day for all. The kid is smart and sets me up in front of the parent while Mom is here to do whatever it is that this kiddo wants to do- Knowing that I probably wouldn't pick that activity to start off our day with. Parent doesn't understand why the kid can't have free range.

Anyway I could touch base with probably all of these issues. I don't see any one trumping the others, they all have a time and a place to be a hassle to deal with just as hassles are with any other job-

[My3cents]

I considered having multiple options available and then decided not to go that route for a couple reasons...

I do think we all have issues in each area at one time or another but I was genuinely interested in each providers MAIN issue/stressor.

Allowing posters to choose more than one option gives false results then as to what is overall the biggest issue for child care providers is.

Some posters would choose 2 or more options while another would only choose one...so I think that would alter the "big picture" I was trying to see. kwim?

I guess I will go poll but I honestly think they all have a time and a place depending upon where you are at with everything.

[crazydaycarelady]

For me it is the red tape of renewing my license. It is sooo much work when I am trying to watch kids at the same time. Plus so much of it is repeated. Like proving I have insurance when I renew and again when my insurance renews. Isn't once per year good enough?

I also gt annoyed with parents and the ridiculous things they do to cope that only set them up for disaster later. Like letting a 3yo wear pjs to daycare every singe day. Not potty training when the kid shows signs. etc.