What prompted you to leave the security of a paycheck to uncertain income?

[gcj]

my beautiful children! I've known all my life that my kids would not go to daycare (a little hypocritical, I know, but I'm not a fan of others raising our kids). I left a decent paying job, but for us the biggie was insurance. My husband's is lousy and mine WAS fantastic.....but it's all about priorities. Although, in my area daycare is not a risky business. There are more kids in need of care than there are daycares, so the waiting list is constant and has been since day one.
Bottom line is I'm with my kids and now that they're getting older I'm here when they leave, when they get home, PD days, sick days....

[lisjoh]

Hi, I am just trying to open my in home daycare but have not got any calls/emails yet. I am deciding to work at home because working outside of the home is becoming unhealthy for me. I am getting sick with the stress of the job but also by having to take time off because one of my children is sick or an appointment etc. I was fortunate enough to be able to be home with each of my children for the first 3 years and loved it. My husband is very apprehensive about me quitting but he is trying hard to be supportive.
So I guess I am doing it for me mostly but for my youngest son too since he missing me being home the most, (even though he is in school all day). Were any of you scared to make the transition? Was it difficult?

[Connect]

Hello ladies,

I would like to personally thank you all for sharing your stories. All of you are truly inspiring. I feel like my choice to stay home and open my own childcare business is not so impossible. I am motivated to really start prepping my home and administrative tasks and start advertising. sf Thank you so much!

[Momof4]

I'm late, but I left my last job because I hated it so much, well I liked the work but hated all the women in my department except for a couple! Why are women so evil and backstabbing and gossipy? It makes me so mad!

Anyway, I was thinking to myself - what kind of job can you get where you can stay at home and searching for something and daycare fell into my lap. My daughter's HDCP gave my grandson's space away and a bolt of lightning struck me then and there.

[mom-in-alberta]

I don't have anything original to add... just echo the thoughts of everyone else!
I have 4 kids and there is no way we could afford to put more than two through daycare.
Plus I also LOATHE the idea of someone else raising my children. Over the years, my husband and I have swapped out who is the full time "worker" but always managed to have one of us home with the kiddos.
I am also a huge control freak, hahaha. I love being my own boss, and not having that thumb on the back of my neck telling me when I could come and go, take my vacations, how much I would earn, etc.
As someone else said; this "job" has it's fair share of challenges (mainly dealing with various parents) but the good FAR outweighs the bad, in my opinion!

[Peek-a-Boo]

I worked in retail and I got sick and tired of all different hours, late shifts, one weekend a month. I had a good position, stable and good income, benefits, etc. I don't think day care business is uncertain business. Yes, it is hard to start at the beginning but when you are fully running you wont have any regrets. I just stared recently and do not have anybody yet, but it is normal for the beginning. Just keep advertising and you will be fine. And I'd like to spend time with my son and my family first of all.

[Momof4]

Aw yes Peekaboo, the shiftwork, yuck! And they made us work Saturdays quite often. I worked midnight and afternoon shifts for months then, wham they switched you to a 6am shift for 2 weeks. It was a killer on the body and the mind. It took me a while to become a regular daytime worker but now I'm so happy about that too. And I love having full weekends to myself.

I like your positive attitude by the way, that you are confident you are going to have clients soon. Good luck!