Ladies, learn from my mistakes...

[dodge__driver11]

I had a horrible first 6-8 months doing daycare...And here are some of the reasons why. (Posted this on another thread, changed it a bit and posted it here.)

People in my building called early learning on me ALL THE TIME!! So did other providers in my community, I cried, I whinced, I worried and I wondered why. But you know what? As soon as I stopped worrying about people's thoughts on me being a wheelchair user...Suddenly my stress level went down and they haven't been here in a long time, hell you know what I have even had a lady call CAS on me (in my building) because she was worried for my son...Well guess what? They found nothing and the social workers who came said "sorry for bothering you" and the report has been shredded and nothing came of it. (that's what the social workers told me happens when no concerns are noted)

I used to post and post on here about how down in the dumps I was about how people just weren't coming. I lowered my rates, made myself work crazy hours, all because I WANTED THOSE FAMILIES so damned badly, and guess what it got me? Sub par familes who didn't give two s*i&s about the policies I wrote, my rates, or paying me what I deserved and what was fair for the subdivision.

I now offer contracted hours, get my fees on time, and have a great set of families (until I relocate) one family signed on to come with me when I move. I no longer work hours that intrude on my family..any overtime is offered at a premium fee...I chose to focus on the things I could offer like my ECE training exp. my job in the school system etc.

I know I made a boo boo when announcing that I was moving but it was a bit hard to hide considering things were disappearing off the wall and out of the house.

I am posting this because I WANT EVERYONE to know that going above and beyond as they say almost always leads TO SOMETHING MORE AND RAISED EXPECTATIONS OF GETTING SOMETHING EXTRA FOR LESS.

Would I do "something extra" for a family now? Perhaps... If it was not implied that I HAD TO DO IT. But I would only do it if I got the feeling I was respected and the thanks was truly genuine! Does this mean I am jaded and bitter about my job, heck no. It just means that I won't compromise what I NEED in order to keep EVERYONE in my house happy...It means that I am a business woman who has learned you only garner (SP) respect if you comand it, and lastly..If you dwell on your weaknesses others will too.

I still love kids just as much as I did when I was starting out..in fact maybe more because I finally have little kidlets and families WHO LOVE ME AND COMING TO ME.