May

9

Daycare Dilemma

May 9, 2006 |

So I had an interview scheduled for daycare yesterday that was going to be the answer to so much for us. If all went well and the parent decided to place her children here my income would have doubled. It was really important to me. And so I started cleaning my house on Saturday and was still working on my to-do list yesterday morning trying to get everything in tip-top shape when the phone rang. It was the mother. She was canceling the interview. No reason given, just said she couldn’t make it. I asked her if she wanted to reschedule and she replied that she would have to call me back another time to set up a new interview.

It was hard not to internalize it - to feel like there’s something wrong with me and that’s why she canceled. Like there’s some rumor out there that my daycare is horrible and no one should bring their kids here. This isn’t the first one to turn out this way either. The last one was worse. A family came here - Mom, Dad and the cutest little boy - and they interviewed and played for nearly an hour. I sent them home with a registration packet and the mother said he would start in 2 weeks. The 2 week mark came and went – he never showed. She didn’t answer my email nor did she return my phone calls. *Poof* just like that they disappeared.

I think that’s probably the hardest part about running a daycare - the unstable, unpredictable income. You can be cruising along, making good money and then a family will give 2 weeks. It’s very tough to refill a spot in that short a period of time so, for me that would mean a 25% reduction in income. My goal is to have 4 children here in addition to my own. I used to have no trouble achieving this goal - and then some. But today it’s a different story.

Don’t misunderstand either - I am grateful for this job. It allows me to be home with my children while still contributing to the family income. It’s a job that is not done in spite of or at the expense of my children - they are part of the job. That’s awesome! But it’s tough, and often thankless and nearly impossible to build any kind of future while doing it. The thought of any kind of retirement plan is laughable. It’s one of the big reasons why I’ll be closing up shop when my youngest enters kindergarten in 2 years. I need a job with a steady income, benefits and the ability to save for retirement. I don’t want to be working when I’m 80.

I suppose there is a lot of backlash against daycare that doesn’t make it any easier either. There have been more and more news stories about abuse and neglect in homes and centers. With gas prices and other related expenses getting higher and higher I think people are looking to family members to help them out with child care instead of placing their children in a daycare home. It’s definitely tough for everyone.

So today I’m going to pick myself up, dust myself off and get back to my lengthy to-do list. I’ll chalk it up to spring cleaning instead of preparing for this interview. I will also remind myself that perhaps this one was just not meant to be and there are other families out there waiting that are a better match to me and my home. The power of positive thinking, right?


Comments

5 Comments so far

  1. cassie-b on May 9, 2006 6:04 am

    Well, on the bright side, your house got a good going over.

    That is tough. And it probably doesn’t have anything to do with you. It could be as simple as a relative offering to take care of ths child.

    I hope the next one comes along very soon.

  2. Kate on May 9, 2006 7:28 am

    Cassie’s right. At least your house got a good spring cleaning. I too would have a hard time not taking it personally.. but, like you also said, the right family is out there.

    {{{hugs}}}

  3. Rhonda on May 9, 2006 8:53 am

    Don’t beat yourself up over this woman. I know there are many others that are looking for someone like you to take care of their kiddos. Keep your confidence, and know that it is her loss :)

  4. Steph on May 9, 2006 11:40 am

    ((hugs)) i’m so sorry that your interview cancelled! here’s hoping that another is just around the corner, and that you’ll move to being full within the next few weeks. you’re in my thoughts, girlie!

  5. Philip on May 9, 2006 11:43 am

    Keep being positive, it will pay off.

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