Bad start to the day :(

[BrightEyes]

I can see how it would work BOTH ways but as a parent who brought my children to a provider with her own young children, I had (or rather my kids had) a horrible experience.

The provider ALWAYS stuck up for her own kids, gave them special treats without giving to the DCK's, always let her kids be the one who set the rules and never got in trouble ever. I switched care providers thinking it was just that one particular provider, only to have the same thing happen at the next place. Finally we chose a provider who had kids who just entered elementary school and it was a totally different scenario. It seemed that the provider was able to treat all the kids equally and since none of her kids had to compete with the DCK's the issues we had at the previous two homes, were no longer an issue.

I understand where you are coming from and as a provider myself now, I have had parents both choose me because I do have children although no longer young ones, and I have had parents choose me because I did't have kids the same age as their child(ren). I suppose it is entirely up to what the needs of the family looking for care is and what their experiences were but what I posted was simply based off my own experiences with child care providers who have their own littles at home.

Sometimes as a mom, it is hard to NOT put your child first and NOT let it seem like you are always favoring them versus a dck when a conflict happens. We are always going to be a bit blinded when it comes to our own kids and when mother bear instincts come into play, protecting our own will always be something we have to wrestle with...kwim?

Oh! I am sorry you have had such negative experiences with daycare providers that have young children! I guess I too often assume that since I am NOT a certain way, that other providers wouldn't be either!!! Definitely something to keep in mind and look out for. I think I still wouldn't mind the provider having young children but I would watch for signs that there is no favoritism going on.