Aug

15

Much Needed Vacation

August 15, 2005 |

We decided to take the kids to Maine last week for some much needed R&R. The weather was beautiful, hot and humid, perfect for spending the day playing in the bone chilling Atlantic Ocean. We made sand castles and played in the waves, ate seafood and played mini golf. Just what the doctor ordered. My kids were great. The fighting was minimal, they were happy and everything felt good. Until at night in the hotel room when I had to check email for work and spend a couple hours sorting out what no one else was willing to. It was depressing and changed everyone’s mood pretty quickly - for the worse.

So I got to thinking about how this job is obviously not working out for the family. We all hate it and what it means with regards to my time. The way it is all-consuming and the way the folks I work for think that it is the only thing of importance. Well that’s not true for me. The only reason I’m working from home is my children. If not for them I would be out working in an office everyday. If they are the reason that I’m working from home then doesn’t the job need to be the one that is best for them? Of course it does. And this one right now? It isn’t.

So last week there was the opportunity for some good, long discussions with my husband and we’ve decided that it makes the most sense for me to go back to running a daycare. I know I got burnt out on it before but this time around it is up to me to look at what didn’t work before and make it work this time. Why daycare? Because it’s a job where the main objective is to focus on children all day - my children included. To do things that foster independence, creativity, security and self esteem. I haven’t done anything like that with my children in almost a year and they are suffering for it. They are getting wilder and more mean spirited then I have ever seen them and it needs to stop. And I miss teaching and seeing children grow and change and flourish.

The upside is that because of the way invoicing works at my current job I will get a paycheck for 2 months after I leave so that will give me plenty of time to bulk up my enrollment. I am also looking for a new van - a 12 seater - so that I can continue to take my children to practices and appointments and pick them up from school when they need me to and bring the other children. That was one thing that I hated before - being trapped in my house. So that’s how we are approaching it this time. We are looking at what didn’t work for each of us last time and trying a new approach - one that will make everyone happier.

I lost sight of things when I had the daycare before. It was an opportunity for my children to have playmates of all different ages, to learn new things every day and be creative and it was the chance for all of us to make a difference in another child’s life. A lot of children that came to my home before didn’t have love, stability or encouragement. I have always said that I wanted to be the primary influence in my children’s lives - well I have the chance to be a major influence in other children’s lives too and to make a positive impact. What a gift.

So it looks like Great Valley Daycare will be re-opening for business!

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Comments

4 Comments so far

  1. Theresa on August 15, 2005 9:06 am

    If that’s what you need to do, and you are happy with it, then YEAH FOR YOU!

  2. Bev on August 15, 2005 9:30 am

    Well I’m glad you’ve figured out an alternative! I think the hard thing about doing what you’re doing now, is that you’re physically there, so the kids can’t figure out why you don’t have “time”. When you’re gone to an office, and they’re with a sitter, they “get it”.

  3. mrs. diamond on August 15, 2005 8:45 pm

    Woohooo the daycare lady is back. When can I sign up my kids? Wait a minute. I already have a daycare. LOL

  4. Aimz on August 15, 2005 9:41 pm

    I hope it works out for you this time Jules, I bet it feels like a huge relief sort of like a weight has been lifted off your back. If your current job is having such a negative effect then you’re definitely doing the right thing.

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