Thank you everyone for your support & suggestions. I'm still reeling from the metaphorical slap in the face that these rumours have caused. I really do hope that it does not affect my business too much more than it already has but I suppose only time will tell. I am hoping that now that I know about it and that I have talked to other providers about the rumours that the person who started/perpetuated these rumours will be like 'oh crap' & will cease & desist but once again only time will tell. I know I have lost one client because of them (the one who told me about them) but I do believe that since she chose to believe the rumours rather than asking me about them that I truly do not want that type of client to begin with. Fortunately the rest of my clients seem to be staying regardless of these rumours (I told them that I was being targetted so that they heard it from me first instead of hearing it secondhand and questioning my care of their children).