Daycaremum :Thanks for your honesty, but I do feel differently about my position, as I too feel that I am a professional (doing this job and doing it well for 10 years has made me a professional).. I respect your point of view, but I DO believe that some people are lucky enough to do what they truly love in life, sure some doctors are doctors because they have an interest in science and enjoy the large paycheck, but I also believe there are many doctors out there who have been truly blessed with their abilities and honest to God LOVE healing people and doing what they do. I feel very fortunate to do exactly what I LOVE and get paid for it, doesn't make sense to me that people will pay me to love their children, and that is just what I do, I grow to love these kids, it's part of my job and the blessing of the job all at the same time.
I am not angry with this mother at all, I stated that I was bothered by it, and surprised to feel that way, at that. I have had MANY kids and families go, some on good terms some on bad terms, I do appreciate the fact that she gave the required 2 weeks notice, and understand it is part of the JOB and that it is a "job" and a business, but it has also become my life over the past ten years and although I am done after I close every day, I still am left with a mark by each and every child that comes through my door, and feel that people in this job are much more than "teachers". Teaching is a "part" of our job, but it is much more than that to me, it is helping to raise a child, to build a solid character and to help form a life. some last a year, but if you are a good provider the child is with you (to the child ) a lifetime. You are much more to that child than just one of their teachers in life. I can remember 1 teacher my entire school career that I would even come close to comparing to the way I feel about the job we providers provide, and the one thing I remember about that teacher was that he had a true passion for teaching and valued us kids much more than any other teacher I ever had. That's what I want to be to each kid that comes through my door, I want them to have a lasting impression of the love and care I provided for each of them. This is a privilege with a paycheck attached.