A daycare family BBQ??? What to do?

[cfred]

It's not the most popular answer, but I love having my daycare parents involved with each other. I've always hosted family events at my home for clients and have never had a problem with them comparing notes in any way that isn't completely positive. I also host 'Mother's Dinners' with the specific purpose of clients getting to know each other and keeping lines of communication open among all of us. My clients are all extremely comfortable with me and know me quite well. When they invite me to do things with them or their families, I happily accept. I recently got a ride to the airport with one family as we were traveling on the same day. They had even invited me to their wedding in Cuba, but my ticket to PR was already booked, otherwise I would have gone. Their son held my hand all the way to the airport, smiling the whole way (not bad for 3am!). Hell, I've even traveled overseas and gone on camping trips with some clients. I love it and would never, ever trade those experiences for professionalism. And you can be sure that while sitting on a patio in Honduras drinking wine, it got a little less than professional. But it was awesome!!! Everyone runs their businesses differently. Do whatever works best for you. BUT, I will say this - letting clients into your personal life can lend itself well to the business as it offers complete transparency to you, your personality and to theirs as well. I consider my clients to be friends.....so far, it's done well by me.