Birthday Idea for a Mom

[apples and bananas]

I see it differently. I didn't get offended. I thought it was cute and I saw it as an opportunity to wow mom. I took it as a compliment. This father knows that I have a great connection with his son. And I didn't tell him i would do it, I told him that we would do our best to make some time for that. I do have a structured day. I also understand that they're kids. Structure sometimes turns into flexability.

I think it's very clear that Judy specificially (because she's the only one that gave this side of the argument) wasn't concerned about me being taken advantage of. Her point was clear that by doing this I set a standard for all providers.

And maybe that's ok. Maybe we all need to re look at our day. And try to find time for the little things. I do this because I love it. I get to stay home with my own children (which I don't always love btw) and I get to be part of developing some other amazing kids. I choose the families I want to work with and am not afraid to dismiss the ones I don't. I don't do it as a money maker. It's not... we all know that.

All of my families treat me very well. So for one of them to make an inocent comment about a card is not even something that makes me think twice. As a matter of fact, I wish I knew all of their birthdays, because they make it a point to know mine, and my childrens. And the look on that little guys face when he gave his card to his mom was awesome! How can that be a bad thing?

I don't spend my free time planning. I have free play planned into my day and I spend that time working on what's next. I believe in a 9 hr day. I do very llittle between the time daycare closes and the time it opens. I don't even do the dishes on Friday night, that's my full night off of everything.

My issue with this thread and those who commented is very simple. It was a request for craft ideas. If you were interested in looking for others opinions on parents asking us to go above and beyond then it should have been a new thread. I understand sometimes threads take a wrong turn. The turn this one made stopped those who probably had great ideas from posting them.

Comments started very hard and fast and they felt accusing to me too. Taking a simple card request and making into a debate of how much we do in a day.

You are all wonderful providers I'm sure... and for those who didn't offer craft ideas, it's unfortunate that you immediately went on the defensive instead helping a fellow provider out.

[sunnydays]

A & B, I totally agree that flexibility is needed in home daycare. I have tons of flexibility and often do activities, crafts, etc spur of the moment because the kids ask for it or a question from a child leads to a great activity, etc etc etc. I don't think most of us have a problem with that, but rather the way it is assumed by a parent that it's no big deal to do this.
But, more importantly...I actually wasn't going to post again as this thread is getting rather long.....but I cannot let this go. You said that you don't do daycare as a "money-maker". Well, I am sorry, but I DO! There is no way, much as a I love kids, that I would take in 5 kids every day ll day if I were not making money doing it. Perhaps that' s why I value things like paid stat holidays, paid vacation days, and paid personal days and being paid a decent rate on time and without any argument from parents. I work HARD in this job. I deserve to be paid fairly and to be able to afford to support my family. That is why I am doing it. To stay home and to make a living while raising my kids. I love what I do and find it very rewarding watching the kids grow and thrive....but there is NO way I would do it for free or even for the extremely low rates some providers charge. I would find that demoralizing and it would not be worth putting all of this time and energy into. Every time a daycare provider says they are not in it for the money, we all take a collective step backwards. It reaffirms the public view that we should not want to be paid well...that the pure joy of looking at those little faces and wiping those little bums should be enough. For me, there is no job joyful enough that I would submit myself to these demands and not be financially compensated for it. If I wanted a job like that, I would be a volunteer.

[monkeymama]

A & B, I totally agree that flexibility is needed in home daycare. I have tons of flexibility and often do activities, crafts, etc spur of the moment because the kids ask for it or a question from a child leads to a great activity, etc etc etc. I don't think most of us have a problem with that, but rather the way it is assumed by a parent that it's no big deal to do this.
But, more importantly...I actually wasn't going to post again as this thread is getting rather long.....but I cannot let this go. You said that you don't do daycare as a "money-maker". Well, I am sorry, but I DO! There is no way, much as a I love kids, that I would take in 5 kids every day ll day if I were not making money doing it. Perhaps that' s why I value things like paid stat holidays, paid vacation days, and paid personal days and being paid a decent rate on time and without any argument from parents. I work HARD in this job. I deserve to be paid fairly and to be able to afford to support my family. That is why I am doing it. To stay home and to make a living while raising my kids. I love what I do and find it very rewarding watching the kids grow and thrive....but there is NO way I would do it for free or even for the extremely low rates some providers charge. I would find that demoralizing and it would not be worth putting all of this time and energy into. Every time a daycare provider says they are not in it for the money, we all take a collective step backwards. It reaffirms the public view that we should not want to be paid well...that the pure joy of looking at those little faces and wiping those little bums should be enough. For me, there is no job joyful enough that I would submit myself to these demands and not be financially compensated for it. If I wanted a job like that, I would be a volunteer.

Thank you sunnydays. Sums up my thoughts exactly!