I find that many of the daycare chat forums that are based in the US are more negative than one like this that is Canadian based. I do belong to many yahoo chat groups which is basically forum by email and most caregivers on there are US. I don't think we can even begin to imagine what it is like for some of them and what they have to deal with. Think of the worst agency you have ever come across and realize it is 10 times worse. The rules and regulations make little practical sense, there is a constant feeling of being spied on between food program visits, and inspection visits etc. On those groups there is a lot of negativity yes but when you put it into perspective you can empathise. We don't deal with the same issues at all. Yes the kids are the same but it is the job that is different. For the most part we control how our job is done and no one tells us what to do. Maybe if the negativitiy is an issue then sticking to Canadian forums for awhile would be a nice break.