Beginning of the End...

So, after 6 long years in the childcare business I am having to close my doors and move on. I have mixed feelings about this. Let me explain...

I have a degree in Graphic Design. For many years I worked happily in the field for a variety of companies. Then the kids came along. I stuck it out for 18 months after Harrison was born but was quite miserable after a while, missing my baby while working for a boss that I didn't get along with all the time. Things got increasingly difficult when I became pregnant with Maia when Harrison was only 9 months old. I developed pre-eclampsia and was taken out of work. I made a decision then to quit my job and raise my two children. I took three months off with Maia and then went back to work for one month until I could get all my ducks in a row.

I developed a information packet of sorts for a childcare business and started getting my name out there. I was able to find kids to keep in my home and quit my design job when Maia was 3 months old. I never looked back. It has been a crazy 6 years. Full of ups and downs, highs and lows in the business. Crazy parents and GREAT parents. I have learned a lot about myself, my kids, other kids and what I am able to tolerate.

I am pretty sure the lagging economy is to blame for my lack of phone calls, but who can say for sure. Maybe God has a bigger plan for me and that is why this is all happening. About a week ago, I learned that Jenna, who I have had since she was 12 weeks old (she is now 2) will be going to a more organized preschool. I kind of expected it. Some people do choose to put their kids in a school setting very early, though I am not a fan of it. This kind of sealed the deal for me. I have not had phone calls for childcare in quite a while and other people I know in the business are also hurting for kids to keep. With my family already struggling quite a bit, it became VERY CLEAR what would have to happen.

I have had 6 good years at home with my kids. For that I am very Grateful. Those are years that I would NEVER be able to get back and though not all the times were good and I definitely lost a TON of potential income, it was all well worth it to see my kids thru the early developmental years. They are now going into 1st and 2nd grades.

So, the job search begins. It is scary for me. I have been home for 6 years working with children. I have learned patience galore. I have become the master multi-tasker. I am a jack of all trades. I know I have skills, but when certain skill sets lay dormant for so long you have to wonder how they will come back to you. I feel like a fish out of water. Out of my comfort zone. YET, I am excited at the same time. Mostly, right now, I am very nervous about where my next paycheck will come from and just how low my family will sink into financial despair before we are able to pull ourselves back up from it.

There is a new career for me out there somewhere. I am on a quest to find it... Relying heavily on my faith...shutting no doors that are open to me. I am in contact with people from my past again and I have to wonder if there is a reason for it. I have not sought these people out. They have found me. Or we have found each other. Gods hand at work? I would like to think so. Some of these people have some very high up positions or are very well connected. I will try to put the patience I have learned over the 6 years to work for me now. It will take all I have to get thru the next few weeks. Stay tuned...

Blessings in Disguise

Its funny how things that seem bad at the time are actually blessings in disguise. I have had some things happen to me recently, mostly things in my daycare business. I won't go into detail, but lets just say that it has helped me to become a MUCH BETTER daycare provider. I did nothing wrong, but was wrongly accused of some things that really upset me. Long story short, the woman was completely crazy, but it did make me appreciate my other parents that much more and to really step back and see what I could improve upon in my business. Bottom line... I really do love these kids I keep and have found that I do really enjoy my job much more so than I had orignally thought. I guess I just didn't appreciate what I had until now. I am blessed to have three full time kids and one part timer all with wonderful parents who respect and appreciate me for taking care of their kids. Who could ask for more??

Zander Comes For A Visit

My little buddy Zander came to visit us today with his Mom. I kept Zander from the time he was 6 weeks old until just about a month ago when his Grandma decided that she would quit her job and keep him. He seemed excited to see me and came right too me with a big smile on his face. Sweet thing! Jack and Jenna liked getting to play with their friend and I was able to test out the new camera and get a few shots of them playing before he had to leave to go to his 15 month checkup.

I really appreciated his Mom bringing him by to see me. It makes me feel very valued as their former childcare provider. So many take what I do for granted. When I worked, my babysitter was numero uno to me, even though she often had to remind my mommy brain it was payday. Thanks Shannon! You meant the world to me then and I value our friendship now!! Take it from a childcare provider... if you have one, and if you have kids and work, you probably do, VALUE THEM. Tell them you appreciate them, or show them. Respect what they do, after all, they are taking care of your most prized possession, your CHILD!

Zander, 15 months. I started keeping him when he was a wee little one at age 6 weeks, below.

My, look how you've grown!!

Daycare buddies, Jenna and Zander. I started keeping them on the exact same day. They are 3 weeks apart in age, with Jenna being the oldest.

Jack and Zander doing what they do, fighting over a toy. Boys will be boys!

The three amigos. Jenna, 16 months, Jack 20 months, and Zander 15 months. Plopped them on the sofa and quickly snapped this shot. They don't sit still for long! (No comment on the junk on the surface of my table. I still haven't figured out how to have a table that doesn't accumulate junk. Any ideas??)

Big Scary Kitty Cats

Yesterday a lady and her husband came to visit me about keeping their 15 week old baby boy. It went well at first, then enter Louie, our Siamese Cat. He is about the most docile and friendly creature on four legs if I do say so myself. They were concerned about him being in the same room as their baby if he were to stay with me. Now, I know that all people are not cat people but come on... Would you be scared by this???

Let's take a closer look at that BIG SCARY FACE...


All that superstition about cats taking the baby's breath is just nonsense. When I was pregnant with Harrison people actually asked me if we were going to get rid of our cat (not Louie, but another Siamese we had that has since passed away, Nigel). Uh, NO! They are my four legged babies. I don't buy into all that hoopla about cats and babies. Louie wouldn't hurt a fly. Now, he might do some damage to the cave crickets (Sprickets) that live in my basement, but not a baby. He loves my kids and they love him. He is most tolerant of being picked on my the two 1 1/2 year olds I keep and they do like to pick at him. Mostly tail pulling.

Oh well, to each his own I guess. I have met a lot of strange cases in this business. I am convinced that some people just need to suck it up and stay home with their own children because NO ONE will ever measure up to their standards and it is not fair to expect someone to. I was actually asked if the cat would be in another room while the baby was here if they were to chose me. Uh, just how would I make that happen? Really, I have no hard feelings toward this couple. They were at least honest with me from the start, which is WAY MORE than I have gotten out of some people. I just thought it was funny. They have a dog, but it stays outside. Probably a Pit Bull. Anyway, good luck to them in their search for the perfect childcare provider. I am way better off without uptight people. I just don't need the drama!!