oh wow, daycaremum, I do love my daycare kids and have loved many, I do not seriously consider myself their Mommy, (was just a coined phrase to point out that some kids are with us for such LONG hours we are the ONLY form of a Mom they have all day long) unfortunately this was the case. This Mom dropped off 6:30 and picked up shortly before 6 pm. the child went to bed at 7, sometimes ate frozen veggies in a bowl for supper, and cried when she left my house or even when they drove by my house on a day off...unfortunately I was her "day care Mommy". I would even bathe her because Mom didn't do the night before. I don't make a practice of reffering to myself as the Mother of these kids ever, just stating the obvious with this particular child. that being said, I DO love all my day care kids, not the same as my own but I would lay my life down for them, they are wonderful beautiful little creations and I feel blessed to know them all and be able to be a part of their lives. I do this for the true love of the children, the paycheck is an added bonus.