Is There Anything I Can Say - or Just Keep Ignoring It

[nannyde]

I just want to say I have one of these dcp's, too. Every negative thing must have been because of so-and-so (usually my ds!). It is said jokingly but I know this parent seriously believes it couldn't from his very own. I never say anything though but probably will say something jokingly right back next time.

nannyde How in the world could you keep your kids away from dcp's? My dcps know a LOT about the other kids in my care as they see them ALL everyday?! I work alone and have one entrance.....my daycare area is close to the door (gated off). I try to keep my mouth shut about OTHER dck's but it's so hard when dcp's are just bluntly noticing things and asking questions about the others.....I think they mean well but just curious how you are able to separate everything....

Staff assistant and a separate area for arrivals and depatures. Parents come in the living room and the kids are either in playroom one... the first level opposite end of house or the playroom two in the basement level opposite end of the house.

I don't allow in play room visitis with the other kids so if the parents want to come and visit their child they would have their own separate play room to visit their child. Nobody takes me up on that.

Sometimes if the parent drops off during our outdoor walk they can see the whole crew at one time. That works great because the kids are all attached to the stroller, calm, and just want to get going. They don't pay any attention to the dropping off parent.

I also post pics on my website so they can actually SEE the group but I don't allow any intermingling between the day care parents and the other kids or the day care parents and my kid.

I've gone 17 years without ever having an conflict about my other day care kids behavior or my son. I've never had a parent blame my child or other day care kids for their child's behavior. I've never had lingering parents who want to hang out to watch their kid play with his "friends". I've never had long drop offs where the parents sit and watch the other kids and "ease" their kid into the group. I don't have parents discussing what kids are present for little Johnny to play with. I don't have any issues with the parents being upset because kids have left the day care or that kids are coming in the day care. I would NEVER tolerate parents askiing me ANY questions about the other kids.


They base ALL of their relationship with the day care on ME and the care I give to their child. It doesn't matter what kids I have in the house ... no matter their ages or their behavior... no matter WHAT ... "I'M" going to make it work so pay no nevermind to the other kids.

If the parents want the service of interacting with the other day care kids and being a part of conversations and having questions and opinions about the other day care kids then they wouldn't enroll here. I don't provide that service but I can see where a LOT of parents would like it and want it. It's just not something I want to offer because I think it causes a lot of situations like the OP brought up. It also can threaten your business when parents become attached to the idea of their kid being with kids that leave or move on. That's a REALLY big problem with having parents micro involved with your group.

I manage all the relationships with the kids and don't allow any family or child to fixate on a relationship between their child and any one or two kids in the care. All of the kids are equally attached to each other. I don't do singlular attachments or discussions about "best friends". Parents involvement in the kids can very easily set up for these kinds of relationships which would really mess up my system of raising safe and happy kids here.

[QualiTcare]

Staff assistant and a separate area for arrivals and depatures. Parents come in the living room and the kids are either in playroom one... the first level opposite end of house or the playroom two in the basement level opposite end of the house.

I don't allow in play room visitis with the other kids so if the parents want to come and visit their child they would have their own separate play room to visit their child. Nobody takes me up on that.

Sometimes if the parent drops off during our outdoor walk they can see the whole crew at one time. That works great because the kids are all attached to the stroller, calm, and just want to get going. They don't pay any attention to the dropping off parent.

I also post pics on my website so they can actually SEE the group but I don't allow any intermingling between the day care parents and the other kids or the day care parents and my kid.

I've gone 17 years without ever having an conflict about my other day care kids behavior or my son. I've never had a parent blame my child or other day care kids for their child's behavior. I've never had lingering parents who want to hang out to watch their kid play with his "friends". I've never had long drop offs where the parents sit and watch the other kids and "ease" their kid into the group. I don't have parents discussing what kids are present for little Johnny to play with. I don't have any issues with the parents being upset because kids have left the day care or that kids are coming in the day care. I would NEVER tolerate parents askiing me ANY questions about the other kids.


They base ALL of their relationship with the day care on ME and the care I give to their child. It doesn't matter what kids I have in the house ... no matter their ages or their behavior... no matter WHAT ... "I'M" going to make it work so pay no nevermind to the other kids.

If the parents want the service of interacting with the other day care kids and being a part of conversations and having questions and opinions about the other day care kids then they wouldn't enroll here. I don't provide that service but I can see where a LOT of parents would like it and want it. It's just not something I want to offer because I think it causes a lot of situations like the OP brought up. It also can threaten your business when parents become attached to the idea of their kid being with kids that leave or move on. That's a REALLY big problem with having parents micro involved with your group.

I manage all the relationships with the kids and don't allow any family or child to fixate on a relationship between their child and any one or two kids in the care. All of the kids are equally attached to each other. I don't do singlular attachments or discussions about "best friends". Parents involvement in the kids can very easily set up for these kinds of relationships which would really mess up my system of raising safe and happy kids here.

not saying it's wrong, but that's highly unusual. i'm just imagining being a parent and not being "allowed" to see anything that goes on...having to go to a private room to visit my child (what's the point? don't parents want to watch their kids interact with the group/you?) and it would seem like you're hiding something - which i guess in a way you are.

i think everyone has had a parent say, "my johnny said that sally bit him. did you talk to sally's mother about it?" but that's when you say, "i can't discuss other children with you due to privacy, and i'd never talk about johnny with another parent, but i can assure you the problem is being taken care of." but never letting the parents see other kids? i don't really get that. and your own child?

let's say the reason for parents never seeing other daycare children is 100% a wonderful idea/thing. what is the reason for not letting your son ever see/speak to a parent, and being punished if he did? my kids were always around and spoke to parents/the parents saw them play - and i can't think of any reason that could cause harm unless they told on me for locking them in the basement at night and chaining them up with no food or water.

[nannyde]

not saying it's wrong, but that's highly unusual. i'm just imagining being a parent and not being "allowed" to see anything that goes on...having to go to a private room to visit my child (what's the point? don't parents want to watch their kids interact with the group/you?) and it would seem like you're hiding something - which i guess in a way you are.

i think everyone has had a parent say, "my johnny said that sally bit him. did you talk to sally's mother about it?" but that's when you say, "i can't discuss other children with you due to privacy, and i'd never talk about johnny with another parent, but i can assure you the problem is being taken care of." but never letting the parents see other kids? i don't really get that. and your own child?

let's say the reason for parents never seeing other daycare children is 100% a wonderful idea/thing. what is the reason for not letting your son ever see/speak to a parent, and being punished if he did? my kids were always around and spoke to parents/the parents saw them play - and i can't think of any reason that could cause harm unless they told on me for locking them in the basement at night and chaining them up with no food or water.

My son was born after I had done day care for seven years. He's an only child. When he was born I made a strong decision that he would not be a part of the business. I wanted him to have a tremendous amount of freedom and I did not want him to be raised within the confines of the State regulations with supervision. I wanted him to run with scissors if he so chose.

So he hasn't been a part of it and doesn't really get the balance of dealing with clients. Each client is a 7-8 THOUSAND dollar a year contract and I don't want my son to have any access to that relationship.

If I did accounting or counselling out of my home I wouldn't want my ten year old involved with my clients. It would be inappropriate to have a child involved in your business. That's how I feel about having him involved in my business. It's just inappropriate and risky.

It's worked GREAT. He's always stayed out of my business and I've never expected him to be a part of it. He's been able to skim off the top the good things of having a childhood with a day care in the home but hasn't had to suffer any of the down side. I made a good decision and I'm sticking to it.

i think everyone has had a parent say, "my johnny said that sally bit him. did you talk to sally's mother about it?" Nope I have never had anything like that. The parents do not talk to me about the other kids. They know better. We don't have kids that fight in any way so there really isn't anything to go home to talk to Mom about. Our days are pretty much the same and we have NO fighting period. There's no physical aggression here. Everybody minds really well and all the kids are super nice balanced stable kids. So I don't have any news from the day care going home to the parents that would be "conferencable". I don't have anything TO talk to the parents about regarding the other kids.

not saying it's wrong, but that's highly unusual. i'm just imagining being a parent and not being "allowed" to see anything that goes on...having to go to a private room to visit my child (what's the point? don't parents want to watch their kids interact with the group/you?) and it would seem like you're hiding something - which i guess in a way you are.

I'm definitely hiding something but I'm very open about the hiding. I make it very clear to parents during the interview process that there are NO PARENTS IN THE PLAYROOM. I am only required to provide immediate access to their child and to me when they come to visit. I'm not required to ever give access to the other kids in the house. So if a parent WANTS to come have immediate access to their child they can hook up in my second play room and access them all they want. They never take me up on it so it's never happened.

I've done child care in my home for 17 years and have been on message boards for 12. I've counselled hundreds of providers over the years and one thing I KNOW for sure is that MOST... not all but MOST providers BY FAR want parents to drop off quickly, pick up quickly, and not hang out in the day care at all.

Many feel like that can't have it so they have to endure. Some actually like the parent contact and involvement. Those are precious few in my experience but definitely a small niche in the day care world.

I know that having parents involved into the business to that extent... physically being around the other kids will NEVER make me money. It won't prosper my business in any way. Not allowing it may have turned a few parents to another provider when deciding where to take their kid but I'm booked full all the time and have the highest rates in my side of town.

It hasn't affected my business in any measurable way and it is what I think is the way to operate that makes ME happy and makes my family the most amount of money.

If it aint broke.......

[JJPlaycare]

I have the same situation that goes on here with one of my daycare moms! Her son is 19 months and my daughter is almost 4! She is a mischievious, adventures, dangererous little girl just as she should be! She is constantly doing flips, cart wheels, head stands, she is a very busy little girl! Daycare girl ALWAYS makes comments about "hmmmm I wonder where you learned that from" She says it jokingly, and I thought it was cute and funny at first, but EVERYTHING my daughter does now she says Ava you shouldn't do that you know who is watching and who will copy you! Eerks me! If she is going to hurt herself or someone else with her stunts, yes I usually stop her, but for the most part she is learning and exercising and why would I stop her from doing the things she loves! She is a born gymnast! We just put her in gymnastics and her teacher raves about her and once she turns 4 she will be going into an advanced level for 4 year olds! Here is one example we were at a fire department gathering and my daughter who again will be 4 in Jan was simply jumping off of the curb, over and over again and sure enough her 19 month old goes over to copy her! She tells my daughter to stop doing that because her son will get hurt if he does it! I felt like saying then don't let him WATCH! She was not doing anything out of the ordinary, seriously jumping off of the curb, what does she want her to do stand their and be a zombie and hold my hand! I guess I support her being a spirited child, she isn't out of control, she is a good listener she is just a normal 4 year old who is loving, exploring and living life, why would I stop that!! I feel for you! I bowl with this daycare mom and she laughs and jokes with all the girls there about what her son has learned from my daughter and they all laugh and it is just oh so funny, but she at the same time makes my daughter out to be some sort of out of control monster who has no boundaries and that isn't the way it is what so ever! Thus far I have just laughed along, but would really like a comeback as well! How about " Yes, isn't it nice that your child is surrounded by happy, adventurous young chidren that lives life to the fullest and enjoys every minute of it! They are imaginitive, creative and have a true love for life. They learn so much each day by exploring and trying out new and different things! I think you should consider yourself very lucky to have had the chance to expose your child to such a fun loving child and help them to explore all of these fun moments they are exposed to instead of critisizing and belittling when the truth of the matter is they are healthy young children who have a true love for life and know exactly how to have fun and enjoy the little things in life and you as well should try enjoying the simple things in life as well instead of looking at them as bad, naughty learned behaviors!!" LOL I don't know, but something......

[MyAngels]

I've got to say, what Nannyde describes sounds like it would make the lives of a lot of the other providers here much easier, but I've had several sets of kids over the years who met here and have remained the best of friends, many of them now are in junior high and high school, so the no interaction thing wouldn't have worked very well here . It's very satisfying to know that I had at least some small part in creating some lasting friendships.

[laundrymom]

hats off to nannyde but I couldnt do that. Im so glad it works for you and am glad that you are so successful.


Here we are a family childcare home, When boy Q and his sister girl O are picked up by aunt w who is also picking up her son baby J, everyone says,.. Hi aunt wee wee!!! and they make sure to say goodbye to her too,.... All my children know all of the other parents. we are extremely proud of our family atmosphere. My own kids have been raised in the daycare and no disrespect to Nannyde but my four kids, every one of them benefitted more from the interaction, the interpersonal skills, the atmosphere of a loving home environment in being raised with such a large extended family. Which is how I consider our family childcare clients. Not only do my kids, aged 19, 17, 12 and 9 interact and engage in daily conversations with not only the daycare children, but their parents grandparents and aunts and uncles.... but my older two actually provide care for families on weekends and overnights. The 12 yr old is beginning to as well. EVERY kid who has been in my home over the last 18 yrs has called my son Bubby. To this day when out he will see one and they will run and hug him and say HI BUBBY. Not only that but any friends that my kids have, (and yes, I mean big stinky teenagers ) are either Bubby too (they actually say,.. Hi Bubby too!) cause one day my 17 yr old was asked, who is that with bubby,.. and she didnt know his name so she said,.. thats bubby too,... it stuck. This is when she was 9. I cant express how important I feel interactions are between the families I care for. I think its important because when the parents see toddler M every day,.. and her behavior and how she is usually,.. and one day they say,.. son says toddler M bit him,... is everything ok? I can answer with,.. yes,.. we are just going through some things in that age stage right now but Mom and I are on top of it and hopefully it wont happen again.

Ive always done it this way. I invite my families camping, we have BBQ's, we are a big extended family.

Recently during my accreditation process I realized it was actually required to have parental involvement and interaction. Your not supposed to keep them seperate. Also, when my children were small,.. (before school age, ) I couldnt imagine keeping them in a seperate part of my home. I would have had to hire someone to care for my own child. The reason I started this was to stay home with them....

I also think the mindset of,... ""Each client is a 7-8 THOUSAND dollar a year contract and I don't want my son to have any access to that relationship. ""

is odd.
I dont worry that having my kids around would in any way jeapordize that income. If I did then We would have a refresher course in behavior. My children have never done anything to make me question their behavior.

Ive only been a provider for 21 years, Ive only been online since 91, and only been on message boards since 93. I offer advice, ideas and encouragement. I think Nannyde and I are complete opposites. Both seem to have very established businesses, I am also full at all times, and charge premium for my area. I am a very relaxed, social person who opens up my home, heart and family to the children we care for. It works for me. I just couldnt imagine being so black and white about it. to each their own.

[Blackcat31]

Here we are a family childcare home,

Ive always done it this way. I invite my families camping, we have BBQ's, we are a big extended family.

Ive only been a provider for 21 years, Ive only been online since 91, and only been on message boards since 93. I offer advice, ideas and encouragement. I think Nannyde and I are complete opposites. Both seem to have very established businesses, I am also full at all times, and charge premium for my area. I am a very relaxed, social person who opens up my home, heart and family to the children we care for. It works for me. I just couldnt imagine being so black and white about it. to each their own.

hats off to you too laundrymom!! I also think it is a matter of what each family is looking for in a provider and how each provider wishes to run their business. We all started in this field for many reasons but I am one who believes that a family childcare provider is just that...FAMILY. How Nannyde runs her business works for her and the people she serves and I see nothing wrong with that, but I do think that as a parent AND a provider, that keeping family and work separate is odd for a family childcare provider. I mean ABSOLUTELY no disrespect, but that is my opinion. If I did not want the family part of the business, I would be licensed as a center. I also agree with you laundrymom about the importance of family interaction and the benefits of lasting relationships. Head Start and many early childhood programs do encourage that type of interaction within their centers. It just seems to me that for a family with young children, family childcare would be the first place to begin the process of social networking, support from peers (other parents) and friendship since their children are friends and play together every day.
Another reason I began doing childcare was so that my own children could have other kids to play with since I only had two of my own. I came from a large family who also had foster kids in our home and growing up with lots of siblings/playmates was awesome, and I didn't want my kids to miss out on that type of experience because we only had the two. Childcare was an easy way to have a lot of playmates and make money as well.

[Crystal]

Laundrymom, I run my program VERY similiar to you. My families are all a part of MY family, vacations, camping, etc. just like you. My kids have also always been a huge part of my program and have spent many nights and trips away with our DC families and now babysit for them as well.

I love the extended family that I have and will always cherish the memories we have all built as a community over the years.

[Unregistered]

I have a dad of an 18 month of dcg who started with me mid August.

Dad has on several occasions said "oh she's picking up hitting from _______"

or yesterday when my daughter leaned over the side of the couch to climb on to it during his pick up time (which I do NOT allow btw and dd was spoken to about it in front of him) he said "ahhhhh so THAT is where she picked up that lovely habbit. She just started doing that on our furniture and we don't allow it"

all I said was "I don't either" (which was clear because I had already spoken to my dd)

my dd likes to hold my hands and climb up my body and do a sommersault of sorts - she wanted to show this dc dad that she could do this. The minute she started he said - "___________ (his dd) don't look - we don't need you picking up bad habbits"


So the yesterday when he picked up she also screamed at the top of her lungs (girly loud screech!) which he instantly told her "no" I said "oh good - I have been telling her 'no' too when she does that"

He said "i wonder where she picked THAT one up from" and pointed at my dd. (now he did say that one with a smile but still pissed me off)

I responded by saying "nope - I'm pretty sure she picked that up just by being a girl" and I said it with a smile but I'm starting to get incredibly annoyed.

Is there anything that I can bother to say about this or just completely ignore him?

Kudos to you - you've been very patient. I'd line up another child and give him 2 weeks notice. If he is so above Daycare then he or his wife can stay home with their little darling and see what it's really all about.

[QualiTcare]

so in 17 years of working with children under age five - you've never had 2 kids fight, bite, nothing - ever?

having your child around if you're an accountant and if you're a childcare provider is comparing apples to oranges.

it all sounds a little creepy.

[nannyde]

so in 17 years of working with children under age five - you've never had 2 kids fight, bite, nothing - ever?

having your child around if you're an accountant and if you're a childcare provider is comparing apples to oranges.

it all sounds a little creepy.

Nope but I agree that it is VERY VERY creepy

I had one bite in 1993 in my first year of doing home day care and that was first and last time.

My kids have excellent behavior. They are balanced and stable children. They do not hit, bite, pinch, fight... nothing. They do not have ANY agressive behavior. None period.

I'm so confident about it that I actually advertise it on my website.

Discipline: We have little behavior issues with our kids. They don't hit, bite, fight, or be mean to each other in any way. The love each other and treat each other with respect and admiration. Most if not all of the children here have been raised with us since they were newborns or young infants. They have been brought up in our ways and have a strong attachment to the other kids and to their Nan.

We use a strict supervision and correction system that pretty much eliminates any aggressive behavior. We have "rules of play" that are wrought from 30 years of experience caring for kids which keep the kids focused on the toys and co-operative play. When children have escalating behavior we use "proximity control" or physically close supervision until the child exhibits the behaviors we seek for normal group activity.

We rely on the other children to show children with unwanted behavior what behavior we expect and promote. If a child persists with unnaceptable behavior we "team" them up with the child in the day care who is able to show them the proper way to conduct themselves. When children with behavior issues are surrounded by balanced and stable children they will adjust quickly to the conduct of the rest of the group. We encourage the older children to model kind and co-operative behavior and to mentor the younger children who need help. Works like a charm

Now and then a child may need a time out to cool their jets and get a chance to start over again. We rarely use this because it doesn't work very well but will give it a try if we are unsuccessful with our other methods. We can go years in between the need to use time out but we will give it a try now and then. We'll let you know if your child was put to time out and discuss with you what's going on that led to the separation from the other kids.

If your child has any behavior issues here you will be the first to know. We keep the parents informed of any behaviors that are requiring repeated corrections. (In other words... we rat them out ) Please keep us posted of any behavior issues you are having at home ESPECIALLY any kind of physical or violent acting out. We will be happy to help with advise or work on the issues here.

I honestly can't even imagine one of these kids hitting or being mean to another kid. It would be a pretty sad day here and I hope it never happens.

[QualiTcare]

Nope but I agree that it is VERY VERY creepy

I had one bite in 1993 in my first year of doing home day care and that was first and last time.

My kids have excellent behavior. They are balanced and stable children. They do not hit, bite, pinch, fight... nothing. They do not have ANY agressive behavior. None period.

I'm so confident about it that I actually advertise it on my website.

Discipline: We have little behavior issues with our kids. They don't hit, bite, fight, or be mean to each other in any way. The love each other and treat each other with respect and admiration. Most if not all of the children here have been raised with us since they were newborns or young infants. They have been brought up in our ways and have a strong attachment to the other kids and to their Nan.

We use a strict supervision and correction system that pretty much eliminates any aggressive behavior. We have "rules of play" that are wrought from 30 years of experience caring for kids which keep the kids focused on the toys and co-operative play. When children have escalating behavior we use "proximity control" or physically close supervision until the child exhibits the behaviors we seek for normal group activity.

We rely on the other children to show children with unwanted behavior what behavior we expect and promote. If a child persists with unnaceptable behavior we "team" them up with the child in the day care who is able to show them the proper way to conduct themselves. When children with behavior issues are surrounded by balanced and stable children they will adjust quickly to the conduct of the rest of the group. We encourage the older children to model kind and co-operative behavior and to mentor the younger children who need help. Works like a charm

Now and then a child may need a time out to cool their jets and get a chance to start over again. We rarely use this because it doesn't work very well but will give it a try if we are unsuccessful with our other methods. We can go years in between the need to use time out but we will give it a try now and then. We'll let you know if your child was put to time out and discuss with you what's going on that led to the separation from the other kids.

If your child has any behavior issues here you will be the first to know. We keep the parents informed of any behaviors that are requiring repeated corrections. (In other words... we rat them out ) Please keep us posted of any behavior issues you are having at home ESPECIALLY any kind of physical or violent acting out. We will be happy to help with advise or work on the issues here.

I honestly can't even imagine one of these kids hitting or being mean to another kid. It would be a pretty sad day here and I hope it never happens.

there's nothing sad about it. it's perfectly normal for toddlers who can't vocalize their needs/wants very well to act out by taking a toy (bc they can't or don't know how to ask for it), smacking, or even biting. i do think those behaviors can be stopped very quickly, but i don't see how they can be stopped from ever happening as it's a normal part of development - like trying to stop puberty.

[nannyde]

there's nothing sad about it. it's perfectly normal for toddlers who can't vocalize their needs/wants very well to act out by taking a toy (bc they can't or don't know how to ask for it), smacking, or even biting. i do think those behaviors can be stopped very quickly, but i don't see how they can be stopped from ever happening as it's a normal part of development - like trying to stop puberty.

That's so sad to me. It breaks my heart to think that someone as experienced and educated as you are believes that violence in young children is as inevitable as puberty in teens.

What has our world come to

[DancingQueen]

They do not hit, bite, pinch, fight... nothing. They do not have ANY agressive behavior. None period.

Are we talking about human children here?

[nannyde]

Recently during my accreditation process I realized it was actually required to have parental involvement and interaction. Your not supposed to keep them seperate. Also, when my children were small,.. (before school age, ) I couldnt imagine keeping them in a seperate part of my home. I would have had to hire someone to care for my own child. The reason I started this was to stay home with them....

I think Nannyde and I are complete opposites.

Our businesses aren't comparable really. IIRC, you said your average kid is there at your house eleven to twelve hours a day and you have ten kids a day. I also think I remember you saying you don't have staff IIRC?

My kids are here only eight to nine hours a day. I don't allow more than nine hour a day MAX. They have about five waking hours a day with their parents. At the end of the year the services you offer to the families exceeds mine by as much as seven HUNDRED hours more per year. That in and of itself makes our services completely not comparable.

I don't HAVE the kids anywhere near as much as you do. I don't need a familial connection with their parents because the kids families HAVE the kids for so many hours a day. If I were with the kids as much as you are then I would absolutely rethink the "family" connection because kids in care that many hours a day NEED the adult to be connected to them in a family way. The families using services like that NEED the child care provider to be like family.

At the end of the day the kid NEEDS family at some point in the day. My kids get that from their parents not from my house.

I don't have any aspirations to be accredited. I would NEVER get an accreditation from even the lowest level recognition and I know it and understand it. I don't offer the services that are valuable to those who currently decide what is and isn't proper in child care. My business doesn't resemble best practice or developmentally appropriate programing. I wouldn't make it thru the first page of the interview. I'm just not good enough


My son in the day care.... well I started the business of taking care of kids twenty years before he was born and had the home day care seven years before he was born. I didn't start doing this to stay home with him. I was very experienced and established when he came along and knew clearly that I didn't want him raised within my business. I made a LOT of sacrifices and rearranged my life and finances to make sure he was raised independently of my business.

I asked him tonight what he remembers from the day care when he was little. He couldn't name a single kid that was here more than two years ago. He only remembered two that were here within the last two years. He doesn't have any memory of the day care kids because he was rarely with them. He couldn't name a single kid that was here the first eight years of his life.

That's how separate his life has been. I've always wanted him to have his OWN life and only be a part of the aspects of the business that were to his benefit. He has a single working parent but has been able to have the life of a child with a stay at home Mom. That was my hope for him and so far so good.

So yes we are as opposite as we could be. I don't think we have a single thing in common. But that's all good. There are many ways to raise kids and run a successful business and we both do what WE think is right for our kids and our day care business. We are both doing great, our kids are doing great, and our businesses are doing great. What's not to love about that?