Doubting the Food Program...

[Margarete]

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Also have you thought about applying for any type of assistance yourself? I don't know your income/financial situation but it kind of sounds like you are living on the edge and if that is the case, I would seriously consider applying for some type of financial help if you qualify.

Also, I do NOT mean this rudely or harshly in ANY WAY at all....but do YOU have someone you can talk to that can help you manage all this stuff going on? Someone who can ease the burden? It just really sounds like the things you do have going on aren't at all chaotic like you said, just the fact that they are all happening at one time... I KNOW it can be a heavy burden to bear and often times simply talking it out with someone who isn't directly involved helps a ton!!

Hang in there Brooksie......this too shall pass! :hug:

Yes yes! You most likely qualify for WICC if you aren't already getting it, and hopefully you can get your daughter enrolled in the food program which will be an extra 21.95 (or a bit more if you have a child stay for dinner) a week to feed her.
Let us know if you need help finding deductions you might be missing to get her qualified.

[Margarete]

Parents provide the food now. The only meal I worry about is dds.

Here's my financial situation right now. In the past week, my fridge went up the day after we went food shopping. Lost $300.00 worth of food. Now we are struggling to replace the food for us alone. DBF had a record low 2 weeks at work and is in the start of his slow season and we are expecting his income to be cut in half. Friday I spilled on my laptop and had to immediately shell out $450.00 to replace it. My rent and monthly expenses are just BARELY lower than my income and we are behind in our utilities and fight a shut off every month. We have no extra money. Heck we barely have the money for the basics.

On top of that I have a ton of stuff going on personally that leave me drained, exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed. Its not just the day care. Its not just the 1 hour a night dog training after a 10 hour shift while dragging a 2 year old around. Its not just the fact that i don't have time to go grocery shopping, or run my errands before dd need to be in bed. Its not me cleaning houses on the side after working the day care hours to help with the bills. Its not endless lesson planning and cleaning and parenting. Its not the seasonal depression kicking in. Its not having DBF working so late that I'm not able to get help around the house. Its not the custody battle. Its not the preparations for going back to school. And its not the juggling of dd's moods and allergy issues... its everything at once.

I can't fit any thing else in. I will have a mental break down. Its happened before. I need to get on top of it and lower my stress so I can continue to do my job successfully. I understand all you super women who are masters at everything. I am not one of those. I struggle daily. I need to lower my expectations for myself. I have nothing left at the end of the day to even show dbf any kind of positive attention and find myself so drained that the last hours with dd at the end of the day aren't enjoyable, and that's not fair to her. I understand its easy and its worth the investment and doesn't take a lot of effort, but it does. Right now it does. And I don't have any thing else to give. I'm on the edge here. and I'm tryin my hardest to hold on..

If DBF is entering a slow season can he help with some more of the household tasks you need to get done, or perhaps soon as it starts to slow down. Can he take the dog to training some of the time (or can this be postponed or cut back on), help with some of the day care cleaning, and/or grocery shopping/ errand running. Knowing more help is coming soon may help with your stress level.
Also try try to make sure you are getting sleep, a good nights rest makes everything easier to deal with. I know it's easier said then done, I myself have a hard time sleeping when I have a lot on my mind. Take a weekend night and try to shut out your worries and stress

[craftymissbeth]

Although I'm not on the food program I know exactly where you're coming from. For me, I have an extremely difficult time even handling basic everyday tasks. I also get seasonal depression and I can definitely feel it's starting to set in. My mind is so foggy and I'm so "blah" that I just can't function properly... I'm getting by by the skin of my teeth... my house is just barely put back together at the end of the night.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I know how you feel... although I don't have nearly as much going on as you do. It will all work out. Just breathe :hug:

[Sunshine75]

Hi Brooksie-spent some time reading all the replies and wanted to let you know that I understand where you are coming from. I understand that drained can't handle one more thing feeling and I totally struggle with seasonal depression. As I have gotten older I have just realized how important it is for me to not put too much on my plate and give myself some time to decompression. I wish I was the woman who can be busy and is energized by it but that's just not me. Delegating some things to your boyfriend sounds vital for you right now. Also, making up a schedule really helps me and also shows me if I am overdoing something. I also live paycheck to paycheck and know that's hard as well because everything you have goes towards bills with nothing left over to save towards future emergency purchases like a fridge or save for a vacation. And we have had so many "stay" catkins that it's not that great anymore. Do you take vitamins? If not I would highly recommend vitamin D and a b-complex. They really help me with my mood and energy, esp. during this time of year. Also, are you still going to be working ft while going to school? Take care of yourself and :hug: to you!

[crazydaycarelady]

I haven't had time to read all of the responses.

Anyway, as for your daughter wait until you have an off month or the pay checks fall differently or something and you make less, then apply for her when you qualify.

Tier I is the higher tier and if you shop wisely and don't go overboard you can come out ahead financially.

[TwinKristi]

I'm wondering if maybe you need to sit down and re-evaluate things in your life. I don't mean that in a judgy way but I don't think I could do childcare under stress like that. If someone pays a day late because they're sick that day, my world won't collapse. It's a business and it seems like your business is on the brink of extinction here. If a program that's supposed to help you make money would actually cost you money only because you're so close to the edge financially you can't cover the cost than I wouldn't do the food program and I would look at exploring other avenues. Unfortunately I'm afraid that backing out now will make your DCPs worry, especially if you tell them you can't afford to feed their kids. They'll start adding up how much they pay you, plus 2 other kids and your BF. That would be my fear anyway. If my Provider said she couldn't afford to feed my kids after saying she would be and taking some weight off my shoulders, I really might worry. I don't know... The food program payment every month is a huge blessing for me. Thankfully my kids qualify as well and as long as I have 1 DCK here I can claim all of them but during the day it's only 2-3 kids. Breakfast, PM snack and dinner is where I make up for it. The food program lady told me to just give a bigger snack at the end of the day and call it dinner even if they still have a "dinner" after. As long as it has all the components of dinner.

[Play Care]

I'm wondering if maybe you need to sit down and re-evaluate things in your life. I don't mean that in a judgy way but I don't think I could do childcare under stress like that. If someone pays a day late because they're sick that day, my world won't collapse. It's a business and it seems like your business is on the brink of extinction here. If a program that's supposed to help you make money would actually cost you money only because you're so close to the edge financially you can't cover the cost than I wouldn't do the food program and I would look at exploring other avenues. Unfortunately I'm afraid that backing out now will make your DCPs worry, especially if you tell them you can't afford to feed their kids. They'll start adding up how much they pay you, plus 2 other kids and your BF. That would be my fear anyway. If my Provider said she couldn't afford to feed my kids after saying she would be and taking some weight off my shoulders, I really might worry. I don't know... The food program payment every month is a huge blessing for me. Thankfully my kids qualify as well and as long as I have 1 DCK here I can claim all of them but during the day it's only 2-3 kids. Breakfast, PM snack and dinner is where I make up for it. The food program lady told me to just give a bigger snack at the end of the day and call it dinner even if they still have a "dinner" after. As long as it has all the components of dinner.

[Familycare71]

The food program at Tier 1 equals almost $5 per day per child. That's an extra $25 per week for each child in your group.

It literally takes 3 minutes at nap time to enter your meals (especially if you don't have a lot of kids under 1, which ups it to 5).

I don't preplan meals much. I usually have some leftovers from dinner set aside, add another component (another vegie or fruit), and milk. That's lunch. Once you're comfortable with the whole thing, THEN you can do a bunch of preplanning or get more creative. Just keep it basic.

I claim AM snack (8:45) which I usually feed a whole grain, fruit, and milk
Lunch: 11:45
Dinner: 3:45 (allowed here), cheese, crackers, 2 fruits or vegies (dried fruits, too), and milk

$4-5 a day per kid! If you have 5 children enrolled, you just gave yourself a $20-$25 per day raise!

I never made that much!! I made at most $125 a month- for a min of 5 kids per day 5 days a week on teir 2.
Sorry!! Just saw you said teir 1!

[Familycare71]

This!! I was on it 12-15 years ago. (I know it's probably different now.)

I'm not a 'government intervening in my bizness' type of person. Leave me alone and let me serve nutritious foods.

I also didn't like the paperwork. Apparently you can do it online now, but jeez.... I had to fill out this big schedule each month - handwritten on paper of every single breakfast, snack and lunch that I planned on serving - every day of that month. They'd review it, and write back that I was repeating a certain food too many times, or that I served something too close together (like chicken on Monday, and again on Thursday or whatever.) And I had to keep track of who was here what time, what day, who ate what meal or snack, etc. It was tedious and I'd get behind. Guess what... that's when she'd come - when I was behind. Then I didn't get paid for any days that weren't written down.

I also had to mail in the paperwork by a certain date. Well, I hate paperwork and deadlines (a weakness of mine), so I'd end up driving it up to their office 20 minutes from me on the night before it was due, and dropping it through their mail slot. Yes, totally MY fault, but I got sick of it.

I like the ability to change up what I serve, and decide on the fly. With the food program, I had to plan it ahead and if they happened to show up one day, I sure better be serving what I said I was going to serve! Ugh. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's just me. As we say often on here, it wasn't a "good fit".

You just wrote my story!!! Bye bye food program!!!

[EAP]

You just wrote my story!!! Bye bye food program!!!

Can I ask how you keep your records for taxes? I would love to drop the food program but thought I needed to keep the meal count to report on my taxes?

ETA: if I have to keep a record anyway similar to the records needed for the food program I might as well get paid for it. Is there a standard deduction I can take instead or do I need and actual meal log (outside of my attendance records). (I can't remember how it was claimed on my taxes, I was on the food program last year and I am on it currently).

[Familycare71]

:hug: to you!!! Hang in there- and like black cat said make sure you are getting help for you!! lovethis

[Margarete]

Can I ask how you keep your records for taxes? I would love to drop the food program but thought I needed to keep the meal count to report on my taxes?

ETA: if I have to keep a record anyway similar to the records needed for the food program I might as well get paid for it. Is there a standard deduction I can take instead or do I need and actual meal log (outside of my attendance records). (I can't remember how it was claimed on my taxes, I was on the food program last year and I am on it currently).

You can take the 'standard deduction' meals on taxes without having records of what you serve. You just need to keep meal/ and attendance counts. It doesn't have to have certain amounts of different components to deduct it. Reimbursements always come out better financially then just a write off, but it is a little more work.

Also as a side note, Even if you are on the food program you can still deduct snacks/ meals that don't qualify for reimbursement using either actual costs, or standard deduction. An example might be a special unhealthy birthday treat, or if you serve more meals/ snacks then allowed for reimbursement.

[Meeko]

Granted, I have 16 daycare children....but I am Tier 1 because of the school district. My reimbursement last month was $1109.34. And that's without everybody here every day. It is often higher if nobody takes time off, I'm not closed etc.

It can be a hassle at first to get used to MMenu. But I honestly find it very easy...even with a huge houseful.

I have to keep attendance anyway...so I just keep MM open on my laptop and enter the time as each child arrives. Only takes a second. I enter numbers after each meal...again it only takes a second. Hit send at the end of the month and wait for over a grand to be deposited into my account.

It doesn't cost me anywhere NEAR a thousand dollars a month to feed the children.

Hang in there Brooksie....any money is better than no money. You'll soon be so used to it and the first time you see the money will make you smile! :hug:

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I'm not sure where you're coming from on this. Do you currently provide the food or do your parents provide the kids' breakfasts and lunches?

I was a MAJOR anti food program for about 15 years. I had absolutely nothing good to say about it. I signed up last May and have been happy so far.

It takes me about 5 - 10 mins on Sun to plan out the week's menu. I write it down on a piece of paper and then set it next to my computer. It's actually less stressful because I don't have to think about what's for breakfast/lunch/snack - I just glance at the paper.

My food bill has actually dropped because I plan my family dinners with the kids lunch for the next day in mind. (Last night we had fajitas and I took some of the meat off the top and put it into the fridge for today.) I no longer send my dh out for pizza or McD's when I can't think of what to make the kids. A big box of Cheerios or Rice Krispies are cheap. Large bags of frozen veggies are always on sale. Check your area for a "day old" bread store.

Exactly this.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Parents provide the food now. The only meal I worry about is dds.

Here's my financial situation right now. In the past week, my fridge went up the day after we went food shopping. Lost $300.00 worth of food. Now we are struggling to replace the food for us alone. DBF had a record low 2 weeks at work and is in the start of his slow season and we are expecting his income to be cut in half. Friday I spilled on my laptop and had to immediately shell out $450.00 to replace it. My rent and monthly expenses are just BARELY lower than my income and we are behind in our utilities and fight a shut off every month. We have no extra money. Heck we barely have the money for the basics.

On top of that I have a ton of stuff going on personally that leave me drained, exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed. Its not just the day care. Its not just the 1 hour a night dog training after a 10 hour shift while dragging a 2 year old around. Its not just the fact that i don't have time to go grocery shopping, or run my errands before dd need to be in bed. Its not me cleaning houses on the side after working the day care hours to help with the bills. Its not endless lesson planning and cleaning and parenting. Its not the seasonal depression kicking in. Its not having DBF working so late that I'm not able to get help around the house. Its not the custody battle. Its not the preparations for going back to school. And its not the juggling of dd's moods and allergy issues... its everything at once.

I can't fit any thing else in. I will have a mental break down. Its happened before. I need to get on top of it and lower my stress so I can continue to do my job successfully. I understand all you super women who are masters at everything. I am not one of those. I struggle daily. I need to lower my expectations for myself. I have nothing left at the end of the day to even show dbf any kind of positive attention and find myself so drained that the last hours with dd at the end of the day aren't enjoyable, and that's not fair to her. I understand its easy and its worth the investment and doesn't take a lot of effort, but it does. Right now it does. And I don't have any thing else to give. I'm on the edge here. and I'm tryin my hardest to hold on..

Ok, so it is not the food program per se. Sweetie, we are not wonder women either. We all have our daily struggles and battles. (I have 2 crock pots that have been dirty since Saturday! sounds small but oh so frustrating that I can't get to them) This job is not an easy one and it does zap every ounce of energy some days. Have you looked at what kind of assistance is out there in your area? I know it is hard to ask for help but you need to get out of this hole. Community action here will pay your utility bill if you have a disconnect. Call your local Catholic church, explain your circumstances and see what their St Vincent dePaul can do for you. They may be able to get you food also. We have a local food pantry that is non qualifying. If you walk in and ask for food they will help you. You need to tap into some community resources! I know it is hard to ask for help but you need to. You are a strong woman you can do this! I will be praying for you.