How long when you're not sure?

[apples and bananas]

I wanted to stop doing it several times in my first year. I think it takes about a year to really decide what you're doing, how you're doing it and what you want to do. I opened with crazy hours and burnt out real quick. I resented the parents because they dropped off early or picked up late, but didn't have the backbone to do anything about it. I turned a corner around the 6 - 8 month mark. I terminated care for some of those parents who did not respect me, I changed my hours and either the parents fell in line or they moved on. I wrote good policies and decided to run my business rather then let it run me. I realized that I was valuble to these families, and if they weren't happy with me they were welcome to move on. I created a business plan and knew what families I wanted to take on what hours and took those clients on rather then taking what ever came to me.

Hang in there... it's a great job when you control it.

Decide why you're doing it and what you want out of it. Then gain the confidence to find families that fit your vision.

[Spixie33]

I have noticed a lot of people close down at the 18 month mark. I think that seems to be a big marker point where people either make it or decide that home daycare is not for them.

However, if you are completely miserable then there is no right time. You just know if you are not meant for it and there is no point prolonging it.

I was not sure if I had made the right decision the first few months...I was working long days, exhausted and realizing how hard daycare was but I still felt like I could do it and was pleased with the families and the income. I told myself to keep going for at least one or two years.

I have been doing this for two years now and I have days where I really enjoy doing daycare. I thought I would end the daycare this year but now I am thinking 2 more years. When it all works - it really works.

I never thought I could do this job ten years ago but I am glad most days that I am doing it.