Children Going to School and Still Doing Childcare

[TBird]

I started my dacare when my daughters were 5 and 7. I kept doing daycare while they were in school. When I temporarily shut down 5 yrs ago, they were 27 and 29.Although I "shut down", I still had my granddaughters, now my grandsons that I cared for. So in essence, I've never stopped providing daycare.

At times, I took little part time jobs in the evening (office cleaning, deli counter) to get out of the house.

I totally agree with Sharlan....I always keep my foot in the door with a Part Time business job. It keeps my skills & resume current & relevant as the years go by.

[KBCsMommy]

I'm finishing my college education and have no desire to do this long term. Its working for now and I have learned a lot over the past 4 or 5 years but I will be ready to be done doing this when my girls are school aged.

I hear you on that note!! My son will be starting kindergarten in 2 years and the littles I have now will probaly move on to preschool by that time. Then it will be my turn to get back to school and out in the real world!!!::

[countrymom]

well, all 4 of my kids are in school full time (they are age 7-13) I will retire from doing daycare, I already know this. There is no job out there that can give me the hours that I need, the money is good and I don't work weekends and if there is a problem I can help my kids out. My kids like the fact that they know i'm home and when they come home from school they know I'm there and it makes a big difference. I would like to get my ece. My odd wants to be a teacher and work with younger kids. I use to be a nurse. I worked steady afternoons, missed out alot, had to work weekends, had to work holidays, felt like I was rushing all the time, even thou I still have crazy days its nothing like working outside the house.

[Unregistered]

I was thinking of changing jobs when my grandsons didn't "need" me but they are almost 14 and starting high school this year ...they have spent just as much time with me this summer as always ...LOL! Also, I have been doing this for 24 years and I've never made as much money as I have been at any other job so since my husband is semi-retired and not earning as much, I HAVE to work at this to keep the household going ...until I can hopefully get things paid off and start getting my old age pension....

[permanentvacation]

Country Kids

I simply let the daycare kids have a bit more free play time and longer outdoor time while my friends/family and I visit. I do some educational activities, but not as many so I have more time to visit. My parents are fine with that. They know that it's not going to ruin their children if they do not do the exact planned out routine for a few days here and there. All my parents have ever said is that they are sure their child enjoyed playing longer. I also hire my alternate (substitiute) so I can leave my job and go out with my family/friends. My alternate does keep the typical routine, including teaching them the typical preschool lessons. Of course I don't have guests constantly, but on ocassion, things work just fine.

[mom2many]

My kids are 20, 22 and 25 and I started my childcare business when my oldest was 6 weeks old and have been doing it ever since! My husband retired 2 years ago, but I plan to continue doing this till I don't have a mortgage anymore.

When my kids were in high school, I thought about getting a job outside the home, but realized how much I wanted to be at home in the afternoon, when they were out of school and couldn't find anything that paid as well either!

Now that my own kids are grown and moved out of the house, I continue to enjoy the little ones that come each day and fill my home with laughter!

[mismatchedsocks]

That was my plan when I started, then so many oppurtunities were run by me, that i graduated with associates in early childhood and now working toward bachelors with special needs licensurage. I also went from probationary, to certified, to licensed and just became the only family provider in my town to be accredited. Next step is to find a perfect group daycare that I can set up like a home daycare....on the lookout now.....so i guess i am in it for the long haul!! And love it!