Am I crazy?

[Van]

I went to ECE in Toronto and on the first night a woman said she was leaving a good job at a BANK to open up her own daycare and the Teacher said NO DON'T DO IT !!!!!'
Also the weather is a big factor in this job as it is a cold windy wet day in BC- How is it where you are?

[MommaL]

I went to ECE in Toronto and on the first night a woman said she was leaving a good job at a BANK to open up her own daycare and the Teacher said NO DON'T DO IT !!!!!'
Also the weather is a big factor in this job as it is a cold windy wet day in BC- How is it where you are?

We definitely get cold winters here, but are used to it - you just bundle up real warm.

So other than 5 Little Monkeys, it seems like no one is real happy with their job? That's so sad. When I hear about difficult children and difficult parents, it honestly doesn't phase me. I deal with difficult people everyday in my work. It's all about how you handle it, trial and error, having a good support system and finding ways to not let it get to you. I don't think there's any job out there that doesn't have its pros and cons. I know people who makes six figures, have 6 weeks of vacation time, and seem to have it all who are absolutely miserable in their jobs. I guess I just see so many more pros than cons when it comes to daycare. But it does worry me when other daycare providers think that it's a bit crazy for me to think about doing this...

[5 Little Monkeys]

We definitely get cold winters here, but are used to it - you just bundle up real warm.

So other than 5 Little Monkeys, it seems like no one is real happy with their job? That's so sad. When I hear about difficult children and difficult parents, it honestly doesn't phase me. I deal with difficult people everyday in my work. It's all about how you handle it, trial and error, having a good support system and finding ways to not let it get to you. I don't think there's any job out there that doesn't have its pros and cons. I know people who makes six figures, have 6 weeks of vacation time, and seem to have it all who are absolutely miserable in their jobs. I guess I just see so many more pros than cons when it comes to daycare. But it does worry me when other daycare providers think that it's a bit crazy for me to think about doing this...

I think it will also depend on your personality. I am, for the most part, a "glass half full" type. I try to see the best in everything and look at ways that I can address the situation to make everyone happy. (Or at least the majority happy lol) If I'm having a crappy day due to a child or parents, I remind myself that I CHOSE this job. Like any other job, there are of course issues but I need to suck it up and deal with it as best as I can. It's easy to complain about our current situation but forget the issues we had in previous jobs. For myself, I have never worked in a place that would allow me to leave to attend my children's (if I had any lol) functions so if/when I have kids, I will already be used to that. Sure, it was easier to take time off before (with pay and I had a replacement) but there was also limitations (seniority got first dibs, only one week at a time, summer time was limited etc) With owning my own business I get to decide when and how long I want to take off. I get to decide my hours. I get to decide my pay. I get a 2 hour break every day. I get to have a lazy day if I want. I get to do what I want when I want (within reason!)

Yes, this job is exhausting but so are many other jobs! For myself, this job is more mentally exhausting than physical like at my old job.....and for me, I prefer that. I also needed that. I was killing my back at my old job and now, I can take it easy when needed without feeling like I'm letting my coworkers pick up my slack.

Every one is different so there is no easy or right answer. Just do what you feel is best for YOU and your family!! Good luck to you either way

[babywhisperer]

Let me add, I have loved my home daycare career for the most part. There are a lot of challenges, but it can work. My biggest challenge has been the parents HAHA! I was the same age as the parents when I started out, now I am grandma age The change in parenting styles has been crazy! Kids are on the most part allowed to rule their house, so getting them to conform at daycare is sometimes difficult. Routine, routine, routine!!!!! Take all the instructions parents give you with a grain of salt and do what works best for the group.
My kids were okay with the daycare as young ones (as I said I started about 3 years before I had kids, so they grew up from about 6 weeks with HDC). I think when they started to get older it became less appealing to them. They would have to wait until the dc kids went home to tell me about their day. Always noise in the house when trying to study or do homework. The days they do get to sleep in, parents knocking at the door at 6:30am. That kind of thing. We have an open concept home, so even though the daycare is separate (walkout basement) the noise travels.
Would I do it again, yes. It has been worth going through the cons. Will my kids ever run a HDC, no way HAHA!
Also, if you get a chance to put your kids into preschool, do it, they need to learn to take instruction from other adults before they start school.
Okay, I'm done....I think

[5 Little Monkeys]

I definitely have moments/days where I find this job hard but for the most part, it's fantastic! I think it also depends on what your past employment was like. For myself, I would much rather take this jobs pros and cons instead of my previous 2 places of employment. (One was a poorly run dc centre and the other was an overworked, under appreciated healthcare living area) The other 2 places I worked (different dc centre and a different area of that same healthcare place) showed me that I could be happy with these jobs but that there were so many other variables than just the money and benefits. I knew that I needed out of those places if I wanted to be happy.

OP, I think if you've thought about it and considered all the pros and cons of both staying where you are and opening a hdc and you feel that a hdc is what would make you happiest, than you should go for it!! This industry needs more people who WANT to be in it versus just those that feel stuck/that this is all they can do. I'm really passionate about my chosen career and wish more would view it as important as it is. We are helping develop early minds and are co-raising these children to become productive, responsible, caring adults!! We need to be the best cheerleader/motivator/educator they can have!!

People tend to associate success with money but that's just not the case...IMO anyways Life is so much more than just what your wage is. Do what makes you feel good, proud and happy! Believe in yourself and you can do it!!

[torontokids]

Momma L- don't confuse people warning you not to go into the field as people not liking the job. I think they are looking at it from the perspective of this job is a lot harder than people realize and they are just warning you.

It can be hard to get an exit strategy with this job and I would worry about you reentering the workforce. I say this mainly because the profession is not respected. I look at job listings when I have a bad day but I'll be honest nothing else has appealed to me. My husband thinks I like it more than I realize which may be true. Sometimes when you're in it it can be hard to see all the good aspects of the job. But like I said, I do like my job but I think I am recognizing it is time for a change.

[babywhisperer]

Hi all, I have not posted in a very long time, but do come on to read once in a while. I feel the need to put my 2 cents in here.
I started hdc in 1989, yup, before some of you were born I did not have children yet, but had gone for my ece and thought it was a good idea when we bought a house. As others have said, there are highs and lows in this job. It is wearing on your body and mind. Burnout happens often. I am in my 50's now, my children are young adults, one in uni, one finished and starting own business. My point is both my children grew up in a daycare and both have said it wasn't great. They had to share me all day, at night I was so tired of "playing" I had nothing left for my kids. My kids did not have after school activities because I just couldn't get them there (it is good to hear most of you are managing that aspect!). Daycare was good for me, but not for my kids. So if you are starting hdc to be home with your kids, they may appreciate it more if you spend quality time with them after an outside job. If you open a daycare keep up your other skills! You likely do not want to be 50ish and struggling to lug kids around, with no other options.
I have enjoyed my daycare years, I have helped to raise over 240 kids. I also wish I had spent more quality time with my kids, they grow up fast
Sorry, this sounds so down, I am experiencing burnout yet again. Think carefully about the impact on your family. It could be a great experience, it
may not.

[flowerchild]

My point is both my children grew up in a daycare and both have said it wasn't great. They had to share me all day, at night I was so tired of "playing" I had nothing left for my kids. My kids did not have after school activities because I just couldn't get them there (it is good to hear most of you are managing that aspect!). Daycare was good for me, but not for my kids.

I just wanted to highlight this.

People are always saying how nice is it that I can do daycare and be home with my kids. The truth is, its not always nice for my kids. Sure they enjoy playing with their friends all the time, but they share their mom, they share their toys, they share their home. If one of them is feeling a little crummy (but not full out sick) and just wants to spend a day snuggling with their mommy, they can't because there is a house full of kids that mommy needs to attend to. They get bitten and hit a lot. This past summer, my daughter was crying to me one morning that she "didn't want DCK to come because she hits me." It broke my heart.

[MommaL]

I just wanted to highlight this.

People are always saying how nice is it that I can do daycare and be home with my kids. The truth is, its not always nice for my kids. Sure they enjoy playing with their friends all the time, but they share their mom, they share their toys, they share their home. If one of them is feeling a little crummy (but not full out sick) and just wants to spend a day snuggling with their mommy, they can't because there is a house full of kids that mommy needs to attend to. They get bitten and hit a lot. This past summer, my daughter was crying to me one morning that she "didn't want DCK to come because she hits me." It broke my heart.

I've thought a lot about how being a DCP would affect my children. The thing is, the situation right now isn't great. My work day might only be 8 hours, but that doesn't include all the driving and daycare drop-offs and pick-ups. My kids are at daycare by 7:30 and we're not home until 5:30. By the time we cook, eat dinner and tidy up, there's very little time in the evenings before it's time for them to go to bed. I too can't get my kids to after school activities unless it's after 6:00 (at the earliest) and that means coming home, changing and rushing out the door with a sandwich for dinner. There's a perception that working parents can easily leave work during the day for school events or leave early to take their kids to their activities. That's not the case for me.

If I have a daycare, I have many plans to ensure that my kids aren't affected too negatively. Perhaps some are unrealistic but it's important for me to at least try. My basement will be dedicated daycare space. Kids will nap in our extra bedroom or in my bedroom if needed. They will not nap in my kids rooms. There will be daycare toys and my kids toys. Anything special that my kids don't want to share will be kept upstairs or in their rooms during daycare hours. I will be able to see my children off to the school bus and be there when they come home. I certainly am unable to do that now. For times when I want to attend a school event, I will have a reliable family member that both the daycare kids and their parents will have met before to come look after the kids for a short time while I am away. The good news is that the school is just a few minutes from our house (versus a 30 minute drive from my current workplace). I also think that evenings when we have activities will feel less rushed because I will close at 5:00 and can have dinner ready (or close to being ready) to go (even if it's just leftovers from lunch).

So I guess I'd like to think that after being in a daycare away from me all this time, my kids will appreciate the extra time with me and the opportunity to do things that we couldn't easily do before.

[MommaL]

[QUOTE=flowerchild;81 051
They get bitten and hit a lot. This past summer, my daughter was crying to me one morning that she "didn't want DCK to come because she hits me." It broke my heart.[/QUOTE]

I just wanted to say that my kids get hit, bitten and kicked at the daycare they are at now too. Both of my kids have cried about not wanting to go to daycare because they don't like a particular kid there or because they'd rather stay home. When it comes to daycare, I don't think this can ever be completely avoided, no matter whether it's your own daycare or somewhere else. At least when it's my own daycare, I can hug my child if they are hurting and deal with the situation as I see fit. Right now, I have no control over it.