Am I being an ass?

[Momof4]

Personally, I find it funny when HDCP's say they love their daycare children as if they were their own. I think that's an insult to your own children in a way because how can you possibly love other children as much as you love your own? It's just human. I care very much about the children in my care and their parents. We have a working relationship of nurturing and caring and I'm the kind of person who is a 'giver'. I think most of us in this profession are nurturing, giving, caring, loving types of personalities. But that doesn't mean you have to be stomped on and let people take advantage of you.

At the end of the day, it's business and I'm happy that the children are going home and coming back in the morning and that I'm making a living doing something that makes me feel good and knowing I'm providing a wonderful service to the 5 families who come here every day. I'm happy that I have ex clients who still come and visit. We have a PD day tomorrow and two of my ex clients and their children are going to be here for the morning which makes me feel appreciated and shows me that I'll remain a big part of their lives as their children grow. That's a wonderful thing! I'm happy that my little graduates will always treasure the time they spent with me.

[bright sparks]

Personally, I find it funny when HDCP's say they love their daycare children as if they were their own.

As I said in a previous post, I think love comes in different forms, and means different things to different people. I have never said this statement myself in any forum, in my head, out loud or even feel this way. I don't love anybody close to how much I love my children. Not even my husband who I love tremendously.The love for my children is like no other. I see things differently though. If I hear a provider say this, I don't think they actually mean it. They may think they do but I don't think they do. I just wonder what shortcoming at some point in their life has made them somehow feel the need to make such an extreme proclomation of their love to another??? I love my daycare kids very much because its the connection I have with them, and who I am. But everyone who is important to me in my life I love in some capacity. All of the emotional characteristics you listed above are componants of love IMO.

Just responding to most posts in this thread, it may seem that I get to attached to the kids and when they leave, I take it personally, but I have had enough experience with children leaving in the last 5 years, that it doesn't really bother me now. Of course like anyone, you are sad to see them go, but its the nature of the job and is what it is. My issue was more that as I have gone above and beyond I expected more consideration from them surrounding the circumstances in which they are leaving. And yes, as many have said and is well established by now and clear in my mind too, that is my fault not theirs. But these are my feelings, how I am and this was the place I came to to vent, recieve compassion and understanding from fellow providers and to also hear some truths which while I new them all, were difficult to hear but necessairy for me to be told in order to be able to accept the reality of them.