How long have you been operating...

[Momof4]

Please remember that the first few years are the hardest until you have the wonderful families as your client base, great references who will spread word of mouth to all their friends and co-workers. I'm turning people away nonstop now because I'm always full and have families with their second babies who want to stay with me but it's complicated to hold spaces and all that.

I did put too much pressure on myself in the beginning and didn't realize that it's ok to let the children play and once in a while to let them sit in front of the tv and watch Mickey Mouse or Word World teach them about the #'s & ABC's!

[Inspired by Reggio]

I have been in the field for over 24 years now .... but only in a home based environment for the past 5 years.

Burn out is certainly common in this industry as it is a demanding job both physically and emotionally ... IME making sure to make time for YOU engaged in some hobby or activity that recharges your soul and passion in life is key so that you do not become 'consumed by work' and I know that one of my secrets to staying passionate all these years to to continually be engaging in ongoing professional develop to help stay up to date on best practice and tricks and tools to make life easier helps to keep ones program fresh and exciting and be reminded of WHY I chose to go into this field in the first place