I am very fortunate to have known early on in my adult years that I wanted a hdc. I did centres for a bit but made no money so went to healthcare. I made more money but wasn't happy and certainly didn't enjoy the work. I went back to childcare for a bit and then opened my hdc. I would love to do this until I retire and I look at this as my career and I take it very seriously. I have no children of my own yet but when/if we do, it will be great as we have dc already It is probably a bit easier for me right now because I get to go downstairs, play and have fun all day, and then come upstairs and I don't see a child or a toy until the next morning. I'm hoping when/if I become a mom, I will still enjoy doing hdc as much as I do now. I have found this site to be really helpful and I'm glad that this is a friendly site where dcp's can come and express feelings like some of you are having!! It is good to talk about them!!

Bright Sparks...I'm sorry you are having such a tough time right now! I know what it is like to wake up every morning and dread going to work and feeling like what you are doing is not good enough. I'm not sure about where you live but I know that in MB, office type jobs are hard to come by because so many ppl want them. Do you need a well paying job or is mon-fri days more important? Have you considered working in a daycare centre until your children are done school and then you can start your degree? Or what about being an EA with a school division?

Fun&Care....I also have issues with depression. It comes and goes and I can usually tell when it's happening. Actually my fiance usually picks up on it before I do! I used to feel that way more often before I had my hdc. I needed to make changes in my life and opening a hdc was one of them. It has been a lot better since but there are still times that all I want to do is waste my weekend in bed feeling sorry for myself and cry (even though logically I know I have nothing to whine about). I was on anti depressants when I was 18ish and they did help a bit. Have you spoke to a doctor about your depression? It's a good sign that you want to do more with your dc I feel the same as you...I go through periods where I am super dc woman and we have lots of activities planned, lots of art, lots of great circle time. lots of baking and homemade meals from scatch etc etc and then I get lazy and don't do as much. I have to find that happy medium still lol. I use pinterest a lot to get new ideas and I have actually found since reading this site that I want to be better and get lots of great ideas and advice! My group now is at good ages (almost 2yrs to almost 4) but I started with a very young group (8 months, 10 months, 2-just 2 year olds) and I actually think I did more with them than I do now somedays lol. There are lots of activities to do with any age group but sometimes we need outside help (like pinterest) and to think outside of the box. I always tell myself "I am a dcp NOT a babysitter" and that usually makes me less lazy and I get off my butt and do something haha. I worked in the baby room at the last centre I worked at (3 months to 2 years) so I know what it's like to have to plan things for that age group.

Dodgedriver...I had a great set of first parents and I got soooo spoiled. This new group is okay but man oh man!! LOL One parent drives me crazy almost daily with their lack of parenting and denial. They think they are parenting well but it's so obvious they aren't lol. (IMO of course, I do realize all parents parent differently) A few others are just extremely young (20 year olds with 2 year olds) and are new to this! It's been a learning process I tell ya! I wish ya luck! I guess the only thing to do is term if ya can afford it until you can fill the space!

Daisy123..."and yet here I am"......STOP thinking that way!!! lol You are a dcp who is enriching these children's lives and making a lasting impact on them! What we do with them now in their early years is setting them up for the rest of their life!! I take that seriously and strive to be a good dcp...sure I have my bad days but don't we all? I'm like you....I hate being called a babysitter lol. The support group sounds like a great idea! Definitely not having coworkers can be an issue and it does get lonely sometimes.

Fun&Care...I have a friend who used to do daycare and so did one of her friends. What they did was a couple days a week they exchanged their own child. So their child got to get out of the house, away from mom and made new friends at a different dc. It worked for them because no money was made or lost by doing this. Is that an option for you?