If Things Were Different...

[Lil'DinoEggs]

Let's say we lived in a reasonably safe world and there were no regs, what would be some of the large or small stuff you would do?

I would walk my dog with the kids (maybe even a quick one when they are asleep)
Would throw the trash away (I live in an apt so I have to go downstairs)
Let me husband watch the kids more often
Let a school age ride in the front seat
after age 3, regular seat belts
Kids could eat peanut butter!
Go run normal errands

[Play Care]

I guess the only thing I would do is more focus on the actual caring for the children and less on the paperwork end. And it's not as if I'm not focused on the kids - but we all know there are many aspects to this job (care and supervision, paperwork, maintaining regulations, cooking, cleaning, curriculum planning and implementing, etc.) It's a constant balancing act.

I don't know, I think it would be nice to just go out for a walk with the kids and not have to think about how I document it in a way that makes it seem educational, or pretentious - because you can't just say "we took a walk and the kids enjoyed it!" you have to say "we had large motor exercise today in the form of a walk and the kids really enjoyed pointing out the changing Fall colors. We also practiced our safety rules by having the walkers hold on to the stroller and following all traffic signs."::

[Familycare71]

I guess the only thing I would do is more focus on the actual caring for the children and less on the paperwork end. And it's not as if I'm not focused on the kids - but we all know there are many aspects to this job (care and supervision, paperwork, maintaining regulations, cooking, cleaning, curriculum planning and implementing, etc.) It's a constant balancing act.

I don't know, I think it would be nice to just go out for a walk with the kids and not have to think about how I document it in a way that makes it seem educational, or pretentious - because you can't just say "we took a walk and the kids enjoyed it!" you have to say "we had large motor exercise today in the form of a walk and the kids really enjoyed pointing out the changing Fall colors. We also practiced our safety rules by having the walkers hold on to the stroller and following all traffic signs."::

Why do you have to do that??? I'm in NY- I don't document daily activities.

This question is the things of dreams!!!
So- I would have a kiddy pool, I would get things (like laundry!!) done on the separate floor, I would hang outside with the school ager while the younger kids were still napping, I would have large motor climbers on grass!, I wouldn't have piles of pointless paper work, I would provide more common sense care every. Single. Day!, I would provide meds based on common sense and my comfort level, I would actually leave a room where kids were happy and safe to do a quick chore, ummm... I could just keep going!

[Lil'DinoEggs]

A pool! I can't even use a kiddie pool. It would awesome in the humid summer months.

[Cradle2crayons]

A pool! I can't even use a kiddie pool. It would awesome in the humid summer months.

Some of the things y'all are mentioning are some of the reasons I really enjoy being legally unlicensed.

I have a kiddie pool (I fill and dump as we use it) and a big above ground pool (has a lid and I remove e ladder between uses)

My nappers only have to be within sound (monitor with video) so it leaves me more free to do things.

I don't have to document activities although I do quite a bit of paperwork at my choice. But it's not because I HAVE to.

Although I feed them healthy and use a ore planned menu, I don't have to be as strict because I'm not licensed.

[JoseyJo]

document it in a way that makes it seem educational, or pretentious - because you can't just say "we took a walk and the kids enjoyed it!" you have to say "we had large motor exercise today in the form of a walk and the kids really enjoyed pointing out the changing Fall colors. We also practiced our safety rules by having the walkers hold on to the stroller and following all traffic signs."::

:: That's me too! Sometimes I just sit there in front of my computer at nap trying to think of the words to make our day seems enough "educational"!

I would enjoy time with the kids more, like I would have loved to with my own if I would have ever had a chance to be a SAHM (not a WAH mom). To be able to say "who cares! let lunch be late, lets finish this block castle" or "you know what guys, I don't think the library is such a good field trip today, with all the energy you guys have, lets go to the park."

[Play Care]

Why do you have to do that??? I'm in NY- I don't document daily activities.
This question is the things of dreams!!!
So- I would have a kiddy pool, I would get things (like laundry!!) done on the separate floor, I would hang outside with the school ager while the younger kids were still napping, I would have large motor climbers on grass!, I wouldn't have piles of pointless paper work, I would provide more common sense care every. Single. Day!, I would provide meds based on common sense and my comfort level, I would actually leave a room where kids were happy and safe to do a quick chore, ummm... I could just keep going!

It's not a reg - yet Although I do have to have a daily schedule that covers things like outdoor time, arts and craft, circle time, etc. And we've been encouraged to let parents know what their kids are learning through their play - thus the "today we worked on fine motor skills" rather then just "we colored" ::

But I also second the going to another floor. Because of my main level open floor plan we nap upstairs in the guest room. It's just always worked better for us. I would love to be able to do some clean and prep while kids are sleeping - but I have to be on the same floor at all times (which makes total sense when kids are awake) At the same time the reg gives me an excuse as to take a break for myself since I can't do those things.

[Luna]

I would be watching out of my kitchen window making lunch while my older kids play in the back yard. They would eat outside when it's warm, and stay out there while I clean up the kitchen after lunch.
I would take the awake children outside while the nappers sleep inside when my husband is home.
One person would go inside to use the washroom while everyone else stayed outside.
I would take the children downstairs to the rec room to do some wii fit with me when it's lousy weather outside.
My husband would walk an older child across the street to the library while I stay in the yard with the rest of the kids, or while I'm feeding the baby.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would TOTALLY let the kids climb all over the jungle gyms and climbers at the park. Because I cannot, the children must avoid those and will tell other kids, "--Our state-- doesn't let us climb on that without our mommy or daddy." They are age appropriate equipment but it isn't allowed. So sad.

[Moppetland]

I would revert back to old school ways, i.e.

- take care of ill children with the sense I was born with (unless it's very contagious, I would have to let them stay home)

- actually let the children just play and learn their basics while playing

- let them watch some TV because we grew up on cartoons that shaped some part of our lives and we turned out okay. But they will only be appropriate programming.

- give them a cookie, chips, cupcake, candy every once in a blue moon as a special treat.

- go outside when the time calls for it because sometimes if we're in a middle of an interesting project, the kids don't want to stop it right then and there.

I just enjoy caring for children. I know that a lot of the regs are set up to protect everyone involved, but it takes all the fun out of it because providers are more stressed about not violating the regs and being sued and thrown in jail. And as for parents, they just want a great provider who will keep their children safe. There are some out there that's a little over the top with their demands, but those are the ones who needs a private nanny. But everything I mentioned above is already being done at home anyway.

[Laurel]

no continuing education classes
watch number of children I feel I can handle
be legally unlicensed (not option here)

[daycarediva]

Spicy slides, lots more old fashioned outdoor play equipment, lots more field trips (I don't do them because of insurance), less paperwork and more just play time, less direct supervision and more freedom (like my own childhood).


I actually agree with most of the regs though.


and I am a car seat nut, no way in HECK would I put a child in my care in a seatbelt. My 8yo is in a high back booster and my 5yo is in a five point harness still.

[Blackcat31]

I don't have an issue with any of the rules my state has. I really don't.

My state (or maybe MY area) is still one of the few areas in the country where the licensor is my friend, ally and support system.

I never feel as though someone is trying to tell me how to run my business or requiring something that is ridiculous, simply because it's a state rule/reg.


Any ridiculous rules/policies I have are NOT because of licensing or state regulations, but more of a safeguard for liability issues and to protect myself from the stupidity of a couple clients I've had.

[crazydaycarelady]

The regs may be different in different states but I do some of these things regularly.

Like give the kids a cupcake or cookie. We had cupcakes yesterday for a birthday, I just gave them milk and banana too.

I put my hubby on my license as a caregiver so I can go outside and have him be inside, or he could take a kid to school or to the library.

We have to be able to see and/or hear the kids. At naptime I go upstairs and fold clothes or do dishes. I can hear the kids.


I do agree that I wish I could watch the number of kids I feel comfortable with. After doing this for 22 years I can watch more than 6 kids comfortably but I am still limited to that unless my assistant is here.

And I would totally ditch all of the paperwork and renewal process if I could. PITA!

[daycarediva]

I don't have an issue with any of the rules my state has. I really don't.

My state (or maybe MY area) is still one of the few areas in the country where the licensor is my friend, ally and support system.

I never feel as though someone is trying to tell me how to run my business or requiring something that is ridiculous, simply because it's a state rule/reg.


Any ridiculous rules/policies I have are NOT because of licensing or state regulations, but more of a safeguard for liability issues and to protect myself from the stupidity of a couple clients I've had.

I loved my former registrar!!! She was a support to me, I could call her with problems, questions and concerns and she wouldn't hyper criticize me.

I do cake and ice cream for birthdays, we have parties and toss the schedule out the window (except for meal times).

Nothing crazy is banned here, like shaving cream or beans. Centers here have banned most sensory play though and blame the state