Best and worst part of your job

[mlc1982]

What do you like most about your job as a day home provider? What is your least favorite part about it?

[Rhonda]

I agree! The best part of my job is watching the children grow, seeing their eyes light up as they accomplish new skills / taks.

The worst part, hand down is the parents! From them thinking I am 'just a caregiver' to their unrealistic expectations of child development or childcare.

[dragonlady3]

I have to agree. There are wonderful parents out there, but it only takes one or two, who feel they are 'entitled' and pushy, to ruin the day. I never think of myself as 'just a caregiver' and get very disturbed when a parent does! If we are taking care of children that they love, you would think they would appreciate the skill, patience and love that that job entails...especially since some of them are unwilling or unable to do it themselves...nor would they tolerate being treated badly by their own superiors! Thank goodness for the good ones!!!

[fruitloop]

The best part of this job is that I don't have to go "out" to work and i get to be here for my own children. I love working with my group of kids and my parents are awesome! My least favrite part of this job is saying good bye to a child that is leaving my care, especially if they've been with me for awhile, and interviews. I hate doing interviews.

[momto3plus1angel]

Best part is the kids for sure. Watching them grow and learn etc it wonderful.
For me the worst part is the cleaning/finding time to clean. I HATE housework and I find it even worse trying to keep my house up to par and having daycare kids here all day. I don't like spending my evenings cleaning and disinfecting.

[giraffe]

Best part... being home for my own children.

Worst part... Missing out on volunteering in the class going on trips and playdates.

[Judy Trickett]

Best....commuting to my coffee pot.

Worst.....dealing with parents.

[Rhonda]

Thank goodness for the good ones!!!

Yes there are definitely some great daycare families out there! They are the ones that keep me going some days.

[Spixie33]

Best part: 1) I get to take my kids to school /to the school bus in the morning and p.m. and still make money in between 2) When the daycare kids do funny stuff or laugh

Worst Part: 1) Advertising/interviews 2) The mess and seeing your house get torn apart/damaged or books or toys broken 3) working all day with the daycare and then at night still have to do housework and prep for the next day. It makes for very long and exhausting days

[mom-in-alberta]

Hehehe... reading all your responses made it hard for me to try to choose my best/worst!
I would say the best (aside from the fact that I love little kids) is that I am my own boss. I suppose it could be argued that my clientele is my employer, but ultimately; I call the shots around here! Love that...
I do miss volunteering in my kids' classrooms, but I would say the worst part is definitely parents who don't take my role seriously. I spend more waking hours with their child than they do, Monday to Friday. C'mon, I know when something is "up" with your kid, or when there is a situation that needs to be resolved. I had a set of parents not tell me that their child was on medication for ADHD, because they didn't think "it had anything to do with me". CRAZY!!
Oh, and I don't like the extra cleaning, but I'm not gonna lie to you... I suck at it no matter how many people I am keeping up after! lol