My kids used to go to a homedaycare owned by my best friend. My experience of it was great. But, because there is always a but, I had to work hard to keep it that way.

Never mix business with pleasure is true. Or in french, we say never mix business and family. Unless you are 100% sure that the person you will become friends with will continue to treat you as a business owner while her kids are in your care. But this is hard to do. And also if you are sure you can keep on treating her as a customer while caring for her child.

I had to tell my friend to stop trying to give me things for free, or excuse my late payment because I was her friend. Yes I have to admit that I am really bad at payments. And she was always telling me that it was ok, not to worry. After asking her about other parents, if it would bother her if they were late, she admitted that she would be upset. She wanted to charge me less a day, not charge late fees, not charge days off, etc..

My husband didn't see it my way. He saw it as an advantage to have a daycare provider as a friend. That way, he could be late and not worry about it.

I didn't want to lose our friendship. I valued it more than money. So I paid everyday I was late, found a way to never be late for payments, refused to have any favor due to our friendship. Had to stop my husband to be always late and not worry about the consequences, etc..

So I do not advise you to be friends with your customer. I means a lot of trouble.



So I had to work hard against them to keep it as a business.