Advice please :)

[MonkeyPrincess]

I agree with Lee-Bee and 5LM. I think the DCP career is risky and inconsistent as a sole income. I couldn't do it as a sole income. I am so grateful that my husband makes a decent income alone. Part of the reason that home daycare works for me (aside from being home with my kids, which is #1) is that i am supplementing my husband's income and i don't feel pressured to always be full, which i am not looking for, i like a smaller group.

I also spent a lot of money upon start up at made barely any money the first and second year, i think just enough to pay back what it cost to start up. That, on top of a newer, bigger house, being new in a neighborhood and finding it difficult to find kids to care for was tough- throw in a layoff! My hubby got laid off, that took 10 yrs off my life but luckily within a month he found a new job.

With that all being said, i applaud with praise the women who did it alone. You serve as a good example that it can be done. Good on ya!!! To Sunshinesmiles- i wish you good luck. You found a great group of people that can give you very good advice and real life experiences.

[sunnydays]

I agree that it is definitely risky if it is your sole income as there are always ups and downs and you can lose a child unexpectedly at any time. However, if you have savings you can fall back on, then you might be able to make it work. One thing you could try is to get some school-aged kids just for the summer while you work on filling your full-time spots with younger kids for the fall. It might buy you a bit of time to get started. Good luck!