Is Running A DC Really That Bad?

[morgan24]

I'm new to all of this, and while I LOVE this forum, it seems like A LOT of people are ranting, raving, and complaining. I went to school to become an elementary school teacher and was in the schools for 2 years, so I know how frustrating it can be to work with kids. However, there seems like A LOT of negativity around here.

Are there positives too? Is it worth opening? I'm really nervous already about owning my own business and all the worries that come with it. I just want to make sure I'm not getting in over my head and regretting it in the near future.

Please reassure me that there are more positives than negatives. I open Monday so hopefully some word of encouragement will help calm my nerves!

I think there are a lot of positives. I treat this like a job that I'm doing from 7:00 to 4:00. Getting housework done is a bonus, I try to make the time to do it during the day, if I don't get to it I don't sweat it. One thing that I do that has really helped me is if I have an issue with the parents I let them know the first time it happens instead of letting it build up.

I love kids, everything about the under 4 age group is my favorite. I quit doing school age children 10 years ago. I found that age just didn't work for me. I think finding what works for you to keep your day working smoothly is what you are going to do.

Even after doing care for 17 years, sometimes I need fresh ideas on how to handle a situation(believe me they still come up) and what is great about this forum are the diverse opinions and ideas. No matter what the issue is someone on here usually has an idea or suggestion about what can help.

Good luck on your opening and on building a great business that will be worth it.

[Sunshine44]

No, I do not think it is 'that bad'. Like others have said, it has its good and bad days. I love being able to stay home with my children and care for other little ones too. It's nice on the good days. The bad days are usually because of the parents. Sadly many parents don't seem to care about a lot of things. I think the same stuff happens over and over again, parent disrepecting rules, bringing kids sick, etc...when the same thing happens over and over, people get tired of it quickly. I know it may seem little to an outsider, but when you have parents constantly doing rude things or not following rules, it brings you down. So, that is my take on the negativity.

Other than that, the days are fun (mostly) and I love the kids.

[mrs.meg]

It is like any other job, there are good and bad days. Personally, 20 years ago I could have possibly done this job and been happy. We have this culture now that the kids are the parents and parents are the kids. I will say that the children I have kept over the years, it is kind of like they are born of royalty. There is nothing that they do not get or have done for them. They do not have to wait and their parents are like servants, for the most part. The children are out of control because they are not being parented, the parents want to be their friends. So, when the kid's parents are not around, I do actually enjoy the kids a lot of the time.

It makes the job more difficult because I spend lots of time teaching very basic manners and and trying to keep them from tearing my house down.

This is just my own experience and I am quitting in August.

[dEHmom]

As with anything, you're more likely to hear the bad than the good.

Companies with good products will mostly only hear feedback, comments, etc when they are complaints. that's life.

A lot of people come to the forum and chat basically, but when we're having a rough day, and we post, it comes off a lot worse. But we all come here for advice and support for these situations.

And for the majority of it, we complain about the parents, not the kids themselves haha.

[momma2girls]

After providing daycare for just about 8 yrs. now, you live and learn.
At first I let things slide, but they more you let things slide, the worst off it will be. You are nice to parents, and let it slide, then they want more and more, until finally you say STOP!!!!!
Then you have the parents that are very disrespectful to you and your family, your house, your daycare, etc. etc...
Then you have the parents that want you to change things, just for them!
Then you have the parents that are always dropping off early, and arriving late.
Then you have the parents that will lie and say things to you, that you know are not true.
Then you have the parents, that could care less to be with their child on vac. or any days they have off.
Then you have the parents that want you to be them!
Then you have the parents that can't pay you, write back checks, etc..
Then you have the parents, that expect you to do things like they do at home, and they want you to do the same at daycare.
THe list goes on and on and on.............

[Crystal]

To the OP, yes it is a GREAT job and there are many, many aspects that make the good outweigh the bad. After 14 years in this business, I have to say that I could not be happier with my career choice and all of the wonderful benefits it has allowed me.

As far as the ranting, raving and complaining here, I do agree with you. It seems that more often than not, providers on this site complian rather than share the joyous moments and discuss the pros of this business. It can certainly be a turn off for parents, as well as for new providers who end up thinking they are making the wrong choice about going into this business.

[dEHmom]

What it comes down to, is when you start off, be firm, consistent and professional.

If you want respect, you must give respect. For the parents who don't give 2 poops, you put them in their place professionally, and advise that you won't stand for that type of disrespect.

Once you get going, you will be able to build your business on your referrals, starting out can be harder because some parents either are TOO PROTECTIVE of their children, or on the other end of the pole you can get the parents who don't give a damn, and they have the worst children.

you need to make sure that everyday, when you wake up for childcare, you are enjoying what you are doing, and if you are dreading certain kids, you will not be happy, and you must let those kids go.

ALWAYS do a 2 week trial period where either party can choose to end the commitment.

If you don't already have a policy book, you should get one, and create contracts that you can adjust should you need to for different families.

[Sunshine44]

I totally agree with one poster who said if you are waking up in the mornings dreading a certain kid to let them go. It does make a huge difference. I know money wise, everyone can't just let people go...but once I got rid of a certain kid my life has been tons easier and I enjoy things again!

[momma2girls]

I totally agree with one poster who said if you are waking up in the mornings dreading a certain kid to let them go. It does make a huge difference. I know money wise, everyone can't just let people go...but once I got rid of a certain kid my life has been tons easier and I enjoy things again!

I agree with you. There are children as well, that you just dread coming thru the door. I have had seperation, stranger anxiety, along with colicy babies, and ones that just plain are bad!!! I have great parents now, but it hasn't been like that for very long. Then you also have parents that you never know what they are going to ask, or complain about next.

[Blackcat31]

The key to happiness in this profession is directly related to the types of families you choose to take on as clients. Each provider has a specific set of things that are acceptable and not acceptable in terms of behavior for both the parents and the child. Finding families that work best with you and your set of beliefs is what will determine how much you like or dislike your job.

I will use Nannyde as an example. You never see posts on this forum by her in which she vents about the behavior of either a child or a parent. The reason for this (IMHO) is that she has developed a great interview process in which it allows her to identify those families that can and do abide by her policies. She does not accept families into her care that are not willing to abide by the rules and policies she has put in place. She seems to have a rather lengthy interview process that allows her to fully disclose to parents how things will be done in her business as well as learn how a family functions in regard to their child.

By setting the ground rules early on so that BOTH parties (parent and provider) fully understand what the expectations and obligations are, will more than likely guarantee a great working relationship. It seems to eliminate any issues or problems that most providers vent about. For some, it takes years to develop this kind of communication skills and backbone strength and for others it comes naturally.

It is much like a marriage, in my opinion. What is cute at first may become an annoyance later so knowing clearly what is expected by every party involved (provider, parent and child) is the key to happiness for running a successful childcare business. It is also vital to have a good system for communication. Giving out a message, memo, note or policy handbook is only one part of communicating effectively. Making sure that every party involved understands the message is the other part, and in most cases the most important part.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

You would think so by reading this board, wouldn't you? It's led me to believe that home daycare providers are the most negative, disrespectful people on the planet. The way they talk about the children they care for and their parents is appalling!

Perhaps you are one of those parents that let's your child do as they please, no rules ect, and then you unleash your kid on us, ane WE have to deal with YOUR bad parenting. Walk a mile in our shoes for a week, then tell us if you like the way you have parented your child.

[dEHmom]

I see, so it is alright for providers to make blanket statements and assumptions about parents but no one can call providers out on it. There are a few members here who are so holier-than-thou and could stand to be taken down a peg. I'm sick of the attitude that providers are better for the kids than their own parents.

we've all been around here long enough....we've all had to deal with THOSE parents who deserve the blankets......

we always brag about our GOOD parents. And sadly, there are ALOT of parents out there who truly just don't parent and don't care to. It's sad for some of these children, who only have us daycare providers as the only constant in their life.

It's not EVERY parent who is horrible, and we come here to the forum to

1) Explain the situation (which comes off as a vent because usually we're still in the heat of the moment and seeking IMMEDIATE advice
2) Get the feedback, advice, comments
3) Be able to be proactive and deal with the situation at hand IMMEDIATELY so that we don't ever have to look back and say, I handled that wrongly, I shouldn't have done that.

This forum is what SAVES us, and helps us be better people. Not just some person who watches kids, and in sticky situations be proactive instead of reactive.
We are friends, we truly care about the others on this forum. Even though we don't see each others faces, we can come here and chat with our fellow coworkers with our cups of coffee, learn, laugh, cry, and better ourselves.

Before you unregistered posters decide to pipe in with rudeness and arrogance, before you read simply 1 or 2 posts on a thread and come to the conclusion that we are heartless people, keep on and read more. You will see on every single thread, that the "vent" is just a description of the situation, so others can understand what exactly is going on, so they can simply better help us find a solution.

[Unregistered]

Perhaps you are one of those parents that let's your child do as they please, no rules ect, and then you unleash your kid on us, ane WE have to deal with YOUR bad parenting. Walk a mile in our shoes for a week, then tell us if you like the way you have parented your child.

No, I most definitely am not. Which is why I take offense to the nasty, hateful things that are said and assumed about daycare parents. How would you like it if I asked you if you were one of those providers who let's the kids watch TV all day so you can smoke cigarettes and surf the 'net?

[Sunshine44]

Until you are a childcare provider, you will never fully understand. I have apologized to my child's first childcare provider (I went back to work the first year before doing this). I truly did not understand what her issue was, and I'm guessing many parents are the same. Until you do it yourself, you do not understand. So, these unregistered guests are going to keep saying negative things because they do not understand. I'm so thankful to have found this place to vent, share and meet people who DO understand.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

No, I most definitely am not. Which is why I take offense to the nasty, hateful things that are said and assumed about daycare parents. How would you like it if I asked you if you were one of those providers who let's the kids watch TV all day so you can smoke cigarettes and surf the 'net?

Well Im not one of THOSE providers, and you may not be one of THOSE parents, but they are out there and I feel we have a right to B@$%^ about them when we have a hand in raising their kids. If you dont like it why are you on this forum reading it all? Dont like it , dont read it.