I love my job.....today.

[Daisy Duke]

:laugh:
I know, I know, it is nap time and yes I just finished a particularly nice coffee break but I do love my job.

Every morning as I wave my daycare parents off I am reminded how happy I am not to be the one driving into the city on the winter roads. I am in my yoga pants sipping coffee. Able to get my own kids ready for the day at a casual 'ish pace. I am home when they get in from school.

I am entertained by the cutest children everyday and they all want to give me a hug when they go home.
And people are always giving me money! :yes: I am just starting to get over that perk. lol

[mimi]

Yes, you have listed several of the perks we enjoy with this job. I always love the compliments from "outsiders" who tell me I must have alot of patience or they could never do what I do. As long as we remember the perks we can over come the days that are not so great. Thanks for sharing the positive side of our profession:flower:

[Inspired by Reggio]

Agreed - I feel very blessed to be able to do what I do poopy diapers and snotty noses and all I love this job :wub::wub::wub: ... the minute there are more cons than pros I will retire!!

[Dreamalittledream]

:laugh:
And people are always giving me money! :yes: I am just starting to get over that perk. lol. Haha! That made me laugh out loud!!

[crafty]

Thanks Daisy Duke ! I did not LOVE my job today but you know what I DO LOVE about it everyday ? It's no matter how bad the day goes ... I always can count on getting hugs and kisses and it ALWAYS makes everything better ... well maybe temporarly but who can say that they get hugs and love from their co-workers ?? ;)

[Momof4]

:laugh:And people are always giving me money! :yes: I am just starting to get over that perk. lol

Ok, sorry, but I have to ask you to NEVER, EVER say that again!!!!!

I love my job, have 5 wonderful families in care, pretty fantastic kids and I'm happy too, so I know what you mean. But I work so very hard and such long hours and if you sat down and figured out how much you were making per hour you might think differently Daisy, then deduct all your expenses and figure out your profit and you will look like this -> :eek:

[jazmic]

[QUOTE if you sat down and figured out how much you were making per hour you might think differently Daisy, then deduct all your expenses and figure out your profit and you will look like this -> :eek:[/QUOTE]

:laugh::laugh:

[Cocoon]

It is nice to be in control isn't it? :)

Momof4, sorry to hear that you are not making enough to survive but to tell you the truth the money I'm making with 2 kids(right now I have only 2 kids in my care) I think I'm earning enough to support 2 adults family. If I take care of 5 kids I think I would consider myself well off :) I don't know but I think there is good in fact very good money in this business. Especially, if you have child/ren and you don't want to work outside home. :)

[alittlelupie]

I know that it seems pretty perfect right now and you should definitely enjoy the good stuff but remember that you are running a business and it's really important to remember that the money should never be thought of as being a "perk". The money that you are receiving is money that you've earned by providing a service and it is owed to you. It's not a perk. I mean no disrespect, I'm just trying to help.

[Mamma_Mia]

It is nice to be in control isn't it? :)

Momof4, sorry to hear that you are not making enough to survive but to tell you the truth the money I'm making with 2 kids(right now I have only 2 kids in my care) I think I'm earning enough to support 2 adults family. If I take care of 5 kids I think I would consider myself well off :) I don't know but I think there is good in fact very good money in this business. Especially, if you have child/ren and you don't want to work outside home. :)

ok I HAVE to ask...how much are you bringing in off these TWO children that you can cover 2 adults? My mortgage alone is more than 2 Full-Time kids never mind adding in bills, food, insurance, craft & activities etc......

[Daisy Duke]

I am in my 4th year doing this business and I can tell you that I am doing a lot better than I would be if I was working away from the home full time.
I am not a newbie that is for sure. :laugh:

[fruitloop]

Ya, I agree with Momof4 and alittleluie. I, for the most part, love this job and the perks that come with it but being paid is not 1 of the perks. I'm running a business and offering a service to families. I work long hard hours and provide very good quality care/foods to my clients...I deserve to get paid...not a "perk" of the job. Commuting to my coffee pot or not having to drive to work in the crappy weather is a perk.



It is nice to be in control isn't it? :)

Momof4, sorry to hear that you are not making enough to survive but to tell you the truth the money I'm making with 2 kids(right now I have only 2 kids in my care) I think I'm earning enough to support 2 adults family. If I take care of 5 kids I think I would consider myself well off :) I don't know but I think there is good in fact very good money in this business. Especially, if you have child/ren and you don't want to work outside home. :)

I'm sorry Cocoon but your statement is ridiculous. You can not honestly tell me that from taking in 2 kids you earn enough to support 2 adult families. I call BS! Unless you are charging each family over $1000/month (or more actually after you subtract all your overhead), that is impossible. I have 6 families in care right now and I am far from well off. I'm not hurting for money but I wouldn't say well off. Once you subtract your groceries, your extra heat/gas/etc/ that you use and all the supplies you buy for daycare use, your income is dwindled down to 1/4 - 1/2 of what your families actually give you. Unless you are feeding your kids crap food and not doing anything at all with them, your statement is false, sorry. :unsure:

[fruitloop]

I also wanted to add that I think it's great that after 4 years you love your job still Daisy Duke. :)

[Daisy Duke]

Getting paid to stay home with my own children is a perk in my book.

Look what I started,:) sorry guys. I was just having a good day. :)

Like I said I am not new to this, been at it for 4 years. Ups, downs, love it.
And I am making darn good money too.

[Daisy Duke]

but who can say that they get hugs and love from their co-workers ?? ;)

That is cute. lol I know today after nap time I had 3 all wanting cuddles at the same time.

[Bugaboo]

I think its awesome that you love your job and you are having a positive day! Those days are awesome! I do agree with the others though. Getting paid is NOT and never EVER will be a perk. I love this job. But it is a JOB. I am a worker not a volunteer. I provide a service to working families and I provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children to flourish in-- I expect and demand to be compensated fairly for this.
There are several perks to this job: I love that I don't have to commute in horrible weather. I love that I can tuck my sons in for their naps and kiss them when they wake. I love that I can get dinner prepared during nap time, I love that I can start a load of wash in the morning and fold it during nap time so that I don't have to do it in the evening, there are so many other awesome perks to this job I could go on forever.

And side note... I am in the same boat as Fruitloop- I run a full day home and I have to budget to make my personal financial commitments and yet still buy craft materials and wholesome nutritious food for my day home children. If Cocoon is able to do this with a small number of children good for you, but I'm not buying it either.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Ya I agree ... I could not survive on my income alone and pay our bills as they stand either we would have to seriously cut our standard of living just to keep the roof over our head and my program would have to drastically be cut back if I did not have my spouses income to rely on ~ I have a special Celiac / Diabetic diet to follow that does not allow me to cheap out on groceries or eat processed foods ~ last year my total groceries between daycare and home was almost $21,000 so no way would TWO children support our family and allow me to stay healthy :(

I get that depending on the area you live in home childcare providers can charge almost as much as centre care ~ so over $200 a week ... so with two children at $200 a week that would be $20,000 a year assuming you only take two weeks vacation so if you were to keep your budget for program next to nothing so you can KEEP all that money for your own family budget than I can see supporting two adults on that but IMO you'd have to own your home already or something cause most people would loose 1/2 that to mortgage or rent alone ... not sure where you live by in my home town the average 'rent' is about $800 a month unless you are lucky to have a rent controlled unit or a landlord who is 'absentee' aka they do not do a whole lot of improvements on the units and you still have to pay utilities, eat, medical expenses, transportation and so forth not to mention phone, cable and other extras ... it would be pretty tight to support two adults on what was left after rent/mortgage!

I have peers who are single income household and manage on a childcare income ~ some are in inexpensive all inclusive rental units which help cause utilities alone can be a huge expense in this industry with all the hot water and toilet flushing and having to light and heat all day long being home or others have access to another source of steady income (child support and so forth) to help make those ends meet for sure ~ so YES it can be done.

We do make a FAIR wage but I hate the implication we are raking it in ... last year my hourly wage after expenses was LESS than minimum wage and I was FULL all year long ... sure I got a lot of non financial perks that make this job worth while ... better work life balance and less stress being my own boss are priceless to me but the fact remains I could make more money working OUTSIDE the home in a retail job or other service industry ... been a long time since I have heard society refer to wages in retail as GOOD MONEY ;)

Mind you I do not have 'wee children at home' to factor in the saved daycare as part of my income equation so I get that for those with young children adding in how much is saved in those costs would pump up how much you are making on paper to well over minimum wage for sure depending on how many children you have needing childcare still!

[Daisy Duke]

My original post was meant because I was happy to be home that day. Not to be driving in the cold and snow and to be home for my kids when they came home from school. Happy to be doing what I love and getting paid for it.

Thanks but my reality is still that I would have to pay for child care for two children then pay for gas every day to drive into the city. Not worth it.

[Inspired by Reggio]

LOL ~ oh I agree Daisy it is definitely a pro to be getting paid to do something I really enjoy doing ... sure makes getting up to work each day much easier and in my career I have left better paying jobs I hated because no amount of $$ was worth dreading going to work each day ... I do not live to work I work to live and if work is diminishing my quality of life well what is the point?

I love spending my days with children ~ I am a career early childhood educator ~ I often joke with my spouse when we win the lottery I would volunteer with children in someway cause I would need my fix ... but I would not do THIS JOB without remuneration cause as a volunteer I could pick and choose which aspects of help I was interested in offering ... focusing on doing all the things I love and taking a pass on those parts I dislike aka no more changing other kids poopy explosion diapers or cleaning up their puke not for FREE someone getting paid can do that part of the job ;)

[fruitloop]

Happy to be doing what I love and getting paid for it.

.

That's awesome, it really is. But, it's not what you said in your original post. You said "And people are always giving me money! I am just starting to get over that perk. lol " and THAT is what people are having the issue with...that getting paid to do your job is a perk when in fact it is not a perk of the job. Volunteering to do this job for free and then families just giving you money out of the blue is a perk. That's all we're say'in :) The fact you love your job is FANTASTIC Daisy Duke!

[Daisy Duke]

Thanks for pointing that out. :) I was wondering. It was a tongue in cheek. Guess I will have to be more careful with my wording in future. :D

I suppose because 'perk' is used in business etc it got people into that mind set. Maybe I should have said " I am just starting to get over that 'advantage'.

[Inspired by Reggio]

LOL agreed Daisy ~ many a war has been started by man over the centuries over misinterpretation of words ~ great thing about women is we tend to be able to keep 'talking it out' rationally until we get it figured out that we were actually saying the same thing all along just using different words ;)

[crafty]

For the record Daisy I totaly got what you wanted to say and 100% agree :)

[Daisy Duke]

Thank goodness Crafty, I was starting to think I was delusional there for awhile. :laugh:

[kidlove]

Totally agree Daisy! LOVE LOVE LOVE this job too! Not only can I be the Momma I desire to be and the Wife I need to be, but I am also Blessed with all these great little personalities each and every day.....and .....I get paid for it! I have always felt it seems a little strange do to what feels like a dream and earn a paycheck too!!!!!! Enjoy your days to come Daisy!!!! :)

[Crayola kiddies]

I for one thought what you said was funny and in no way did I think that you really meant that it was a perk and not earned ....it's kind of like reading between the lines. I like that perk too because when I worked outside of the home I never made the kind of money I make now and I had to pay gas and daycare out of it .... So I hear ya!!!

[kidlove]

Ladies, don't forget...everyones life circumstances are very different from one another. Some of us may pay our "fair share" of the household bills and maybe others have hubbies who support the majority so it may seem as if the monies made from profit of this business are a nice "perk". I personally see nothing wrong with feeling like your paycheck is a "perk" IMO, it just means you love your job so much it "seems" as if the money is icing on the cake. :)

[Bugaboo]

I think stating that getting paid is a "perk" is irresponsible. There are so many posts on here about providers not getting paid on time or for the correct amount. There are posts about bounced checks and parents skipping out and providers who have to go to small claims court to get their HARD EARNED money. Ladies this is an OPEN forum. Parents with children in day care can READ EVERY SINGLE WORD posted on this forum. On the one hand thats a good thing. Understanding leads to a better business relationship which is better for all (especially the children!) However, when something gets posted about getting paid is a "perk" that really gets my back up.
How can we convince the parents that read these posts that we are running businesses. We offer a service (child care) and those who need our service (working parents) need to pay us. This is NO different than any other industry. Here's another example, recently I had to visit a lawyer for a personal reason. My lawyer seems to genuinely LOVE his job. He was very thorough with my needs and gave me solid advice. A week later in my mail box was a bill of what I owed for seeking his counsel. This lawyer provided me a service and he expects me to PAY for that. Its not a perk. The perk for this lawyer is having a Starbucks in the same building so that he can get a latte without bundling up in winter gear and heading outside. THAT's a PERK. Getting paid is necessary part of doing business with someone. Its NOT OPTIONAL.
I don't think the OP intended for this thread to be a big deal I really don't. I think she was having a good day and just wanted to share that positivity. I stand by what I said before, I think that's great. What is NOT great is the parents who read this thread and might be think that "Hey if providers think getting paid is a perk I'm going to ask for my fees to be lowered." or "I'm going to pick up late today and no way am I going to pay late fees, after all my provider loves her job so much she won't mind working an extra 20 minutes today".

The money is NOT the icing on the cake. The money IS the cake. Great families, great kids, and things like commuting to the coffee pot in your kitchen are the icing.

[Momof4]

Daisy, my issue with how you started the thread was that you made our jobs sound easy and that we don't earn our pay. Please remember that this is a public forum and parents read what we say. Do you want your clients to think that you are not working hard? Do you want your business respected and your service valued? That was why my initial response on page 1 of this thread was to ask you not to say that again, but to congratulate you on loving your job.

I love my job too and I love my commute but I work darn hard every day and spend a lot of money on organically grown and home made food and equipment and toys and craft and creating supplies. Then after the children leave I have to clean my whole house and do two sinks full of dishes and I'm really tired at the end of the day.

I just want respect for my work and a good reputation for quality service. I hope you have a lot of really great days like you did yesterday but never underestimate your worth or your work.

[mustbenuts]

PERK: noun, something extra that someone receives in addition to regular pay for doing a job. Synonyms include: dividend, donative, extra, gratuity, gravy, bonus, perquisite, throw-in, tip

I love that the OP loves her job but my pay is none of the above. Using the term "perk" seems innocent but Bugaboo is right, parents on this forum may see the use of that term differently than it was intended. It is a continuous and hard battle to be recognized as professionals in this industry and comments like that only set us back. Misconceptions feed on seemingly innocent remarks like this.

[Emilys4Guppies]

I also love my job.

When my kids come home from school, I am here for them! I am able to cook home made suppers because I have time at nap. I am able to care for my home in the way I would be unable to if I worked outside the home. I am able to help mould the leaders of tomorrow! I get to listen to their funny stories and anecdotes! I get to listen to whatever music I want during the day. I can go pee without having to log off a computer at a desk. I get to drink my coffee on the porch while the kids play in the yard. I get to make crafts! I get to plan trips that I know the kids will love! There are lots of perks!

But I also hear what Bugaboo is saying. If we claim our income is a perk then that is why we hear statements like, "She's only in it for the money" from the public concerning a daycare provider who EARNS her pay.

[Serendipity]

If we claim our income is a perk then that is why we hear statements like, "She's only in it for the money" from the public concerning a daycare provider who EARNS her pay.

I AM in this for the money. In what world, would someone actually want to change poopy diapers, clean up snot, puke and fingerprints for FREE???

In what world would people really honestly put up with some of the really unique situations that doing child care brings to us for FREE????

NOT ME. I AM in this for the money and nothing else. I happen to like my job and I am good at it but I sure as heck don't do ANY of it for free.

If I wanted to do this for free, I would just sit home and collect welfare benefits and pop out kids left and right while watching Jerry Springer. :rolleyes:

Oh, and as far as making a good or decent income....it takes 8 full time kids to make my mortgage and bills and I am still NOT well-off so I also call BS to making enough to support 2 adults with only two DCK's....unless of course, one of those adults lives in a shoe box for free in the back yard.

[happymomma]

Just wanted to chime in. I am a parent reading this forum/thread and I agree with the OP. Some of you need to lighten up IMO. Let someone say something positive without turning it into a negative so quickly. She loves her job! That's more than most people can say. I for one, as a parent, respect her as a "business woman" that much more because of this. It would never make any "normal" parent reading this think they don't need to pay on time or should negotiate a lower fee, etc. as some have suggested. Obviously there are some crappy parents out there who don't follow the rules and sell their kids short but I would like to think most are great. So many providers on here seem so jaded and cynical yet they say they "love their jobs too" in the next sentence. That's what would cause a parent reading this forum the most concern IMO.

[Daisy Duke]

Sorry but it is a perk for me to get paid to do what I love. An advantage. An extra. I know of a lot of people that don't love their jobs. And by me saying so is not being irresponsible in my book.
My parents know that i work hard. They see it when they pick up their children with glitter and paint in their hair, crying because they are not ready to go home. Or when their children want to come here after supper and on weekends. (which I don't allow lol)

I was going to do a post today saying '"Cordless stick vacuums - Every day care should have one" but now I am too scared. :laugh:

[Bugaboo]

Happymomma- I'm so glad you are one of the "normal" parents but unfortunately you (and other parents like you) are the minority. You have no idea the things parents say to us and ask of us every single day. I don't think I'm jaded or cynical but I am realistic. I have interviewed too many families myself and seen and heard what my peers have been through to know that parents like you are so rare its heartbreaking. In my provider career I have had ten families walk through my doors. Do you want to know how many of those families paid on time every month and never ever gave me a hard time over their monthly fee??? TWO. Yep two. To count how many times families tried to pay me less or have paid late are so numerous I can't count every instance.
HappyMomma you are what this industry calls a "golden parent". Don't take this the wrong way but you are NOT normal, golden parents are a rare gem.

[kidlove]

Praise God! Happy Momma, I was about to throw in the towel for another week or two! every once in a while I find that when posting the emotions or everyday this and that's on this forum, they seem to get a little "attacked" I then choose to focus on the positive in my life which is family (including the children I provide care for...they too are my family!:)) I totally undoubtedly LOVE my job, do I feel I deserve pay for the services I provide? you better believe it! I work hard and am a great replacement for the parents in my daycare, while they are gone to work....however, I stand firm on the fact that I am so absolutely blessed to do what I do, so much so that I do view the paycheck as a quote un-quote "perk". Fully aware my paycheck is DUE to me, any one who provides a service should receive payment, BUT, when you love what you do so much that it overflows from your heart with happiness? the paycheck feels like icing on the already fabulous cake. thanks, Happymomma for your input, just goes to show, we providers (if doing our jobs well and for the right reasons) are always valued and recognized by the parents we provide care for. not to mention, we should never have to feel like we need to "convince" parents on this forum that we really do work hard for our pay, if they understand what we do for a living, they should already know. I love this job and feel as if getting paid to take care of these wonderful children is such a dream. :)

[kidlove]

ha ha daisy, too funny! seems just like bugaboo said to happymomma re: being a golden parent, a real gem....thinking maybe that's what we are too! I too fell the very same way you do and would shout it from the mountain tops....I'm not afraid to tell anyone I love what I do so much It "feels" like getting paid seems too good to be true! I know exactly what you are saying, not that you are lazy or don't work hard enough for your pay, and I really don't think any good parent would view you that way, as a matter of fact I think it would be quite the opposite actually. If I were a parent I would feel so happy to know that my provider loved her job so much that her paycheck felt like "icing" on her already wonderful cake!!! :) would make me want to pay her on time and then some, knowing how greatful she is and how much she loves her job would mean soooo much to me! keep doing what you are doing. :)

[kidlove]

BTW. what was your post about cordless vacuum? I'd like to here it! :)

[happymomma]

:) Before the posts turn negative again, I just wanted to add that when I read the original post (as a parent) the first thing I thought was "that's exactly the type of person I want to send my baby to every day." Thankfully, I have found a gem of a lady just like that. And I want to go above and beyond for her as well. And trust me, this can be just as hard to find as a good parent. :)

[LittleWing]

:) Before the posts turn negative again, I just wanted to add that when I read the original post (as a parent) the first thing I thought was "that's exactly the type of person I want to send my baby to every day." Thankfully, I have found a gem of a lady just like that. And I want to go above and beyond for her as well. And trust me, this can be just as hard to find as a good parent. :)

I wouldn't. I want the person caring for my child to be honest with themselves and their peers. No job is all rainbows and butterflies and trying to convince yourself that it is is NOT safe for anyone. Just my two cents.

[Crayola kiddies]

I must be very lucky cause I have all golden parents ( must be my exceptional interviewing skills ; )....). I never have to ask twice for supplies, and all the kids have the proper outdoor wear everyday and I even had a parent bring me a shepards pie yesterday .... She said " serve it to your family or to the daycare kids .... Your choice but you do so much and I appreciate it!!!" What a wonderful woman..... here she is spending the last of her mat leave packing up her house to move in two weeks time and she is making me a shepards pie..... I was truly truly touched !!!!!

[Bugaboo]

Speaking of attacking, who exactly is being attacked and doing the attacking??

[Crayola kiddies]

I wouldn't. I want the person caring for my child to be honest with themselves and their peers. No job is all rainbows and butterflies and trying to convince yourself that it is is NOT safe for anyone. Just my two cents.


Yikes!!! I do think she was being honest ..... IMO this is how she feels ...... I can also say with relative certainy that she knows it's not "all rainbows and butterflies" just by the title of her post .......

[jazmic]

I wouldn't. I want the person caring for my child to be honest with themselves and their peers. No job is all rainbows and butterflies and trying to convince yourself that it is is NOT safe for anyone. Just my two cents.

Come on, now. I think that's taking it too far. She came here to post about what she feels. It's not up to any of us to accuse her of "not being honest with herself". I think the very title of her post "I love my job... today" makes it be known that she also has peaks and valleys like all the rest of us. Let's be happy that she had a good day. This is supposed to be a safe place for people to be able to express what they feel. And honestly, I'm surprised at how badly this whole thread has turned out. Couldn't we just be happy that someone posted a happy thread and move on??

[Crayola kiddies]

No kidding ... With all the drama who needs to watch young and the restless!!

[LittleWing]

that wasn't exactly my intention. I was referring to the comment made by the parent I quoted not the original post. See? Words can certainly (and very quickly!) be misinterpreted by anyone when you are posting on an OPEN forum. It's funny how many of the people who are quoting my post are the same who defended the op with her misuse of the word "PERK". I maintain that being paid is NOT a perk and to think your job is so wonderful that being paid is, in and of itself, a perk, does lead me to stand by my post. You are all welcome to disagree. And just fyi, all my HAPPY, well cared for, and safe little daycare kids are all happily napping...and I do expect to be paid on time tomorrow for making this a consistently positive and safe environment for those kids.
I don't know the op or anyone on this site really, but in my experience, again, not talking about op or any of you personally, the providers that I have met in person who are all sunshine and lollipops are the ones who, a-quit b-snap (hence the dangerous for everyone comment) c-are inwardly miserable and resenting the kids in their care.
I again, was referring to the parent's comment, which, while innocent, I believe to be somewhat worrisome. I would not leave my child with someone who puts on a show (not that op was....) you really can't judge a book by it's cover when it comes to finding childcare. I think it's awesome op was having a terrific day and shared it. I also think saying being paid is a "perk" is a bad idea.

[happymomma]

Just to clarify - I searched long and hard for the right daycare provider and by no means does she "put on a show." She genuinely loves her job and I know this for a fact. I am no fool. I am also a strong believer that positive energy breeds positive events and maybe that's why some of the most positive (and IMO best) childcare providers have some of the "best" parents! :)

[sunnydays]

Yes, I do believe parents (I have been on both sides...had my kids in daycare before and now have my own daycare) can tell if we actually like our jobs...it shows in the dedication and hard work and positive energy we put into everything we do. And you can see it in the kids who are thriving :) That doesn't mean we don't have bad moments or bad days sometimes as anyone does (parents included) and I let my daycare parents know about these sometimes as I think it helps them understand the reality of running a daycare and that while some moments positively stink (sometimes literally LOL), we can still love our jobs :) It sounds like you have a great daycare provider and I am so happy you came here to post about her! We hear way too many unhappy parent stories and I think it was very brave and positive of you to post your good news story. I do not think that your positive provider who loves her job is dangerous because she is too happy or putting on a show!



Just to clarify - I searched long and hard for the right daycare provider and by no means does she "put on a show." She genuinely loves her job and I know this for a fact. I am no fool. I am also a strong believer that positive energy breeds positive events and maybe that's why some of the most positive (and IMO best) childcare providers have some of the "best" parents! :)

[giraffe]

Ok ok... I love my job too. It works great for my family. I enjoy being with little ones I love the perks of having a 10 step comute to my coffe pot, i love being home for my children after school, I love watching little ones learn and grow and I love love love seeing that magic in their eyes when they discover pride. I love hanging out at the park and I love creating artwork and I even love circle time. But would I do it 7:30 - 5:00 every day for free?? NEVER EVER EVER!! And to those of you who think that daycare is a walk in the park, you are sadley mistaken. And to those of you who put on a "always happy face" on forums you are not fooling anyone.

[sunnydays]

Personally, I haven't seen anyone here put on an "always happy face" here. We are coming here to get support, advice, share stories and ideas, vent etc. Just because someone wants to share something positive, does not mean she is trying to fool us into thinking she lives in some type of daycare eutopia. I don't believe the OP said she would do it for free...I sure wouldn't either! It is very hard work and has some really crummy parts...but overall it is great for me and if I post something positive in that regard, I don't think I am trying to fool anyone into believing anything in particular.



Ok ok... I love my job too. It works great for my family. I enjoy being with little ones I love the perks of having a 10 step comute to my coffe pot, i love being home for my children after school, I love watching little ones learn and grow and I love love love seeing that magic in their eyes when they discover pride. I love hanging out at the park and I love creating artwork and I even love circle time. But would I do it 7:30 - 5:00 every day for free?? NEVER EVER EVER!! And to those of you who think that daycare is a walk in the park, you are sadley mistaken. And to those of you who put on a "always happy face" on forums you are not fooling anyone.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I am often one of those providers accused of having rainbows shooting out my arse by other providers on forums ... and I am cool with that I can joke about it ... it is not that I am not realistic to the negative aspects of my job and that the challenges working with children can have ... it is just that I am a firm believer that we attract the energy into our life by our FOCUS in life and the self talk and so forth we engage in.

IME if I focus on just venting about how challenging things are than chances are I am going to have more challenging children and client behavior ~ if I accept that yes that sucked and put strategies in place to minimize those challenges for the future than I have 'less challenges' .... so basically I prefer to keep my focus on what I have to be grateful for to keep my energy balanced on positive aspects of my job and put action plans in place to deal with the negative so they are not so 'negative' for me and just become small aspects to the over all day.

I personally am not lying or fooling anyone about my own reality of daycare cause well what good would that do anyone ~ we are here to support each other and grow our business and learn to thrive as professionals?

[Crayola kiddies]

Reggio .. I think we were separated at birth !!!!

[kidlove]

I have learned on this forum even in the daycare world, there are MANY diferent types of people. There are the always downers, the always uppers, the cynical, the stupid, the experienced, and the unknowing among many more....I know at one point or another I have been all of the above and then some. however, i do try and base my life on the positive and attempt to stand firm on "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all"....I am very grateful for this forum I have learned a lot about people, I have learned what to be more like and what NOT to be like from chatting with everyone. Most of all though I have learned a ton about my self, and after hearing the way some providers think and feel about their jobs in general? I come out pretty sure I am on top of who I aim to be and who I need to be to keep my kids and families happy with my service. Thanks to OP for having the "truth" to post in the first place. If there is one thing I have picked up on this forum...you have to brace yourself to type some posts because just like anywhere else is our sometimes jaded world, there are always the nay sayers with the atta-boys! just take it all in stride OP, and know some of us feel the exact same as you, and are proud and happy to admit it.

[mimi]

Very well said kidlove!!

[daycaremum]

Okay, so I'm waiting to hear from Cocoon to tell us what she charges for 2 kids that she can support two adults on that income alone. Come on Cocoon, now that you said it, we all want to know:)
As for pay being a perk, nope. I get that it was a tongue in cheek comment, I really do. But it does perpetuate the myth that as women we should love being home looking after children simply because we are women. The comment, although not intended to, does undermine our careers. Also, for those of you saying you make great money doing this job, that also sends the wrong message. I hope you don't tell non-daycare providers such things. I don't personally know anybody that makes a great living providing daycare. A decent living maybe if full all the time. I realize that different markets will support different fees. But if you do make a killing, don't advertise that fact because it is not the standard. I wouldn't want people to think I'm making gobs of money because I'm not. I live in a small community and it would be harder to find clients if people thought I could be charging less since I make so much money.

[Spixie33]

I think people are over-reacting to Daisy's comment. I get what she means.

When you work outside the home you usually get your wage put into the bank by direct deposit and it is almost like 'virtual money'

It is a different feeling to get handled a bundle of money by several people. It just feels different and that is that. For a moment every week I feel like I have money. lol

There are weeks where I am putting in extra time cooking healthy meals at night for the daycare or cutting out items for the next day's craft and feeling like I am doing a 14 hour day and exhausted....then I get paid from a parent and I see the little bundle of money and it does make me feel happier and keep my refocused again and determined to do well for the kids.

Having cash handed over and available to you without going to an ATM could be a perk :)

[sunnydays]

I chose this career because I DO love being home with the kids. It's not that it isn't hard work (actually it's the hardest thing I have ever done) and it certainly isn't that I don't expect to be paid fairly for my time and effort...but I don't believe that I am somehow betraying feminist thought (or maybe I am, but I don't care) because I LIKE being home with the kids. If I didn't like it I would be out rushing to and from work outside the home like everyone else. I think as a society we have gone way too far in the other direction...now it is terrible to even say that you want to stay home with your kids. Somehow you are less of a woman. Well, personally, I think THAT kind of thinking is what perpetuates the thinking that daycare providers are less worthy, less intelligent, just doing it because we can't do anything else. Nobody said we should love doing it just because we are women....but if we do love it...what then? So are we supposed to put on a facade and pretend we hate what we do lest we harm feminism in some way? I just don't see this a path to peace and happiness for anyone.




Okay, so I'm waiting to hear from Cocoon to tell us what she charges for 2 kids that she can support two adults on that income alone. Come on Cocoon, now that you said it, we all want to know:)
As for pay being a perk, nope. I get that it was a tongue in cheek comment, I really do. But it does perpetuate the myth that as women we should love being home looking after children simply because we are women. The comment, although not intended to, does undermine our careers. Also, for those of you saying you make great money doing this job, that also sends the wrong message. I hope you don't tell non-daycare providers such things. I don't personally know anybody that makes a great living providing daycare. A decent living maybe if full all the time. I realize that different markets will support different fees. But if you do make a killing, don't advertise that fact because it is not the standard. I wouldn't want people to think I'm making gobs of money because I'm not. I live in a small community and it would be harder to find clients if people thought I could be charging less since I make so much money.

[Mamma_Mia]

I think people are over-reacting to Daisy's comment. I get what she means.


I can ONLY seak for myself...Daisy's comment didn't bother me at all. It made me laugh in a "yeah right <eye roll> a "perk"...." kinda way :laugh:

My personal question is for Cacoon who claims with only 2 daycare kids can support '2 adult family'.....I'd like to know what I'm doing wrong?! I agee in keeping a positive vibe but I also agree in not letting someone new go in with blinders on! NO it's not GREAT money....it's money. We all need it but it's not like we can drop $1000 when we feel like it because we're rolling in the cash.

That's all that bothered me. Be happy, Be positive but Be HONEST (or at least back up your statements).

Sorry for causing your positive thred into chaos Daisy :flower:

[Daisy Duke]

Well Hello, good morning! What have I started?

I have felt so happy since I started up my day care again this summer. I tell my husband almost every day. The other days I am usually complaining to him.

I love the fact that I am able to make a living working from home - with my family.

I do believe this thread is getting silly now.

[kidlove]

Not trying to continue the chaos, but just want to say...I admire ALL women who have the ability to stay home and make a living, I do believe that is the intent God had in mind when he made man and woman. Not saying I don't agree with a Mother having to work outside of the home or choosing for that matter, to each his or (her) own, :) it's not up to me to judge the choices of another, however...I did work away from home for the first few years of my kids lives and I carried a lot of guilt, I don't think anyone made me feel guilty and it was definitely not society (society pushes in the direction of two career minded parents pulling in equal money):) I felt guilt because what I was doing (leaving my babies in the hands of another) was against how I felt I should have been raising them. I know, seems I am a hipocrit ? I am....the very thing I rely on to make money and keep my business going is also the one thing I find hardest to come to terms with, Mother's going off to work and leaving the Baby with another. This is a job a hard one, and it earns a paycheck, but it is also second nature to most women, because we were made to nurture and love children. When I do my job, it really does feel like a blessing, because although it at times is quite difficult and stressful, it is also like second nature.(how easy do you think life was for farm wives years ago with 8+ kids and responsibilities around the farm to boot, and they didn't get paid) :) I was meant to be a mom, and a wife, all I do is open my doors to others children and do the same thing I do with my own family and earn a paycheck on the top. A blessing is what it is for me plain and simple. Wouldn't trade any outside job for this, ever!