So...this is truly a small fly in the garden of life, but it's bothering me more than I thought it would so I figured I would "let it out" here - where I know folks will "get it" LOL I have cared for "E" for three years now. She came to me as a 10 month old when her Mum went back to work after her mat leave, and her last day was this past Friday. She's off to kindergarten. I am very excited for her, and I did what I do for every child who leaves my care - I throw a small party and give the child a small gift. I realize that it is not "right" (?) to expect a card/note thanking you when a child leaves your care - and to say that I was expecting one would be the wrong sentiment. It did leave a sad feeling in my gut though when the parents picked their child up that night, and left for the last time. Nothing - not an e-mail, not a verbal thank you - nothing. After three years - every birthday has been celebrated, (party and gift) every milestone celebrated, and every Christmas feted. Without blowing my own horn - I am an excellent caregiver. I run a fantastic program, and I do a lot of extra things here (photography, Memory Books) - in part to help the parents feel that they are not missing out on their little ones early years. Not even a thank you ? This is the kind of stuff that makes it so much easier to not give a damn about these kids. I know a lady who is also a caregiver and she refers to her daycare clients as "paycheques" - maybe she's on to something. *End of rant*