Babysitter vs Daycare provider

[bright sparks]

I don't think parents who say babysitter instead of dcp do so with any ill intentions. They don't refer to us in that way to make us feel inferior or small, i think it is just a generic term that some people use. I saw my old neighbour in the grocery store the other day who asked if I was still babysitting. Whenever I am referred to in this way I feel a little something like somehow the comment is belittling, but because most people don't use that term with the purpose of playing down our roll as caregiver, that it really isn't a negative. Honestly I think it is more our ego/complex that has us wanting to be noticed for the great roll we play in raising children through early years and to call us a babysitter implies that we just put the kids in front of the tv and don't do anything with them. Our roll is slandered more and more so we want to stand up for ourselves to prove that we aren't like some of the bad eggs that are out there. I don't think we should let it bother us as much as it does because it is really just a reflection of the person commenting and their lack of knowledge of our roll. And their lack of thought and consideration around being politically correct. I didn't correct my neighbour because it is her generation for sure....nearly 60. I know that if I explained the difference between my role as a dcp and her daughters rolls as my kids babysitters in the past that she would just dismiss it as the generic name she uses to describe people who care for kids. And I'm sure she would continue referring to me and others as babysitters after such conversation so really what's the point. I can't control others, only my reaction to them. I don't need validation from others to know what role I play in the world, professionally or personally so I pick my battles. On the occasion when it is constantly being said and I have a human moment when I get annoyed, I would not beat around the bush about it. Oh my goodness, if we just got to the point in life with people, things would no longer be so much of a problem. If I was offended I would just politely explain that we dcp's do not like to be described as babysitters as we do a hell of a lot more for children and get paid a hell of a lot less so think about that next time you label us babysitter. I'm not worried about offending them as they don't give the same consideration to others feelings when labelling them thoughtlessly and inaccuratly.