Ok I Finally Admitted It

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

I told my husband last night that I actually want to continue with daycare after our youngest goes to school. I can see myself doing this for a long time to come. I've had a hard time with burnout, but I have been taking classes given by the state and it has helped a lot. I have a few things I need to fix and I'm working on it.

[Rockgirl]

I used to think I would do something else when my kids were both in school. Well, they are now 23 and 20...,I'm still here!

[originalkat]

I think this job does have a learning curve. I can see how different I do things now compared to my first few years. Once you get a good groove, it really is a pretty sweet gig for those of us who have a heart for it.

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

I used to think I would do something else when my kids were both in school. Well, they are now 23 and 20...,I'm still here!

Our youngest is 4 and I was planning on going back into the work force once she started school. However, I like being here in the morning to put them on the bus and then the afternoon when they get home. I love that I don't have to depend on other people when school is closed or send them to an over crowded summer camp.

I also like the fact I can take off whenever I want (within reason).

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

I think this job does have a learning curve. I can see how different I do things now compared to my first few years. Once you get a good groove, it really is a pretty sweet gig for those of us who have a heart for it.

I'm just starting my 4th year. I was weighing out the pro/con and there are a lot of pros with this job. My major negative is the parents but I deal with them maybe 10 minutes a day so that is manageable. I'm learning as I go. These classes are really helping to put things into perspective.

[Baby Beluga]

I'm glad the classes are helping!

[rosieteddy]

I ran my daycare all through my childrens schooling.The biggest negative was that I could not easily see them at school (feild trips ,shows ,classroom help).The positives defineately won.I was here afternoons and when they were sick or had no school.I was here when they were teenagers,They had babysitting jobs where the children knew who they were. There was a lot of positives then I was lucky enough to have my 2 grandsons in my group. The money was decent . It has been a great job for me.

[AmyKidsCo]

Personally I think it's easier when your own children are in school.

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

Personally I think it's easier when your own children are in school.

Especially my 4-year old. She has become a sassy monster lately.

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

I ran my daycare all through my childrens schooling.The biggest negative was that I could not easily see them at school (feild trips ,shows ,classroom help).The positives defineately won.I was here afternoons and when they were sick or had no school.I was here when they were teenagers,They had babysitting jobs where the children knew who they were. There was a lot of positives then I was lucky enough to have my 2 grandsons in my group. The money was decent . It has been a great job for me.

I am going to talk to a financial advisor and see how much I should be putting away for retirement. I'm working on getting licensed now. It's a slow process for me though. We are talking about buying a bigger house next year so that will be an even bigger plus. I'm just at peace with what I am doing. It certainly helps that they are all pretty much the same age groups (3) 2-yr old and (2) 4-year olds.

My older kids get upset when I say anything about going back to work so they completely support me doing daycare. I also changed my hours so that I close right as they get off the bus in the afternoon. I close the week of their spring break and Christmas break. So they don't interact too much with the littles.

[Gemma]

I told my husband last night that I actually want to continue with daycare after our youngest goes to school. I can see myself doing this for a long time to come. I've had a hard time with burnout, but I have been taking classes given by the state and it has helped a lot. I have a few things I need to fix and I'm working on it.

I came close to quitting before, then I realized hey, I really like this job!.... what caused tremendous amount of stress, was trying to make things work, with families that clearly did not fit my program!...once I stopped doing that, the stress was gone and never came back!

Good luck to you!happyface

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

I came close to quitting before, then I realized hey, I really like this job!.... what caused tremendous amount of stress, was trying to make things work, with families that clearly did not fit my program!...once I stopped doing that, the stress was gone and never came back!

Good luck to you!happyface

Yeah I agree it is mainly the parents that I have given an inch and then expect a mile. Which this is just one of the changes I'm making.

[daycarediva]

I ran my daycare all through my childrens schooling.The biggest negative was that I could not easily see them at school (feild trips ,shows ,classroom help).The positives defineately won.I was here afternoons and when they were sick or had no school.I was here when they were teenagers,They had babysitting jobs where the children knew who they were. There was a lot of positives then I was lucky enough to have my 2 grandsons in my group. The money was decent . It has been a great job for me.

I agree that this was a downside/not attending school functions. My sons teacher last year told me that teachers often plan events MONTHS in advance, so I asked each teacher this year. I explained my job, and how I like to give families advance notice. BOTH teachers sent me a list of dates/times when there would be school functions! I am able to take 1/2 days, or days of to chaperone and volunteer!

Op- this was me two years ago! I was planning my 'out', exploring child care options and discussing returning to work with my former employer. I looked at my husband one evening and said "I don't want to close." I really do (most days!) enjoy my job!

[Gemma]

Yeah I agree it is mainly the parents that I have given an inch and then expect a mile. Which this is just one of the changes I'm making.

I hope you can stick with what works for you and get rid of the families that do not!

This job can either keep you younger than you are, or age you at the speed of light....it's up to you!::

[spinnymarie]

So glad to hear this today!
I just sent one child to Grandma's yesterday with the flu and today another one, so I've been wallowing without them and thinking how hard it would be to continue when they're in school...
I suppose I also hadn't considered that they'll be in school so I'll still be missing them whether I'm running a home daycare or at some other job!