I really love my job! I'm thankful that many of my employers/clients/parents tell me regularly that it shows that I love my job. :) I try not to take for granted how lucky of a duck I am to be at home with my daughters while playing all day long, every day. Even our challenges are fun for me - most of the time.
When I first started this business 3 years ago, I knew I would be more into the small group playtime opportunities than the large business opportunities that were presented. I've always said that nobody ever does this for the money. Big money can be made in this business if you play your cards just right, but that's not the kind of card player I am. I'd rather enjoy my work and improve the quality of life for myself and my family than to make the moo'lah to buy more stuff that we don't need. To me, a full house isn't reaching licensing maximum capacity and charging top pay for mediocre childcare. Instead, a full house is having just the right amount of kiddos in care, all of whom have a fabulous, healthy chemistry with each other and with my family.
This work I do is no joke - it's a lot of work. My days are long, and I don't get overtime. I work 5 days a week, often 11 hours a day, and when all the kiddos go home to their families, I have my own family to spend time with - which happens to include two young children as well. I am super lucky to have every day with my Rebecca, and to be home when Julia gets home from school. But, that kind of privilege comes with extreme sacrifices. Often, using the bathroom by myself with the door shut is a challenge during business hours. Let alone enjoying a quick mid-day snack or a break of any kind. Don't forget that this career of mine also comes with zero job security, no health insurance, very limited vacation days, and taking a sick day is a ridiculous thought. Every household/family decision I make affects many more than just myself - how I keep the yard, whether or not to own a pet, even what kind of furniture to buy. (Incidentally, one reason I can't wait to retire is so that we can get new carpet! I'd be crazy to do that now, with 8 kiddos and a puppy tromping around daily.)
The popular misconception about this job is that it's all play all day with a luxurious naptime in the middle. Yes, naptime is indeed luxurious around here - but that's because I make very wise use of my time. I do the lunch dishes and clean-up, and I sanitize toys, as well as plan activities and crafts for the week during our naptime. Without this precious time, our learning space (and my house) is constantly dirty and in a state of chaos. I would like to humbly admit that lately naptimes have been short and random. So, yes - there have been days when lunch dishes pile in the sink until dinnertime. That just comes with the job. And the play is fun, but it's also structured. If I don't have lesson plans and materials for crafts and activities, the kids get bored and wreak havoc - just like adults do in the corporate world.
With all that said, I'll say it again - I love what I do. And I feel lucky to be grounded in the reality of this job, never wishing to reach maximum capacity just for the sake of making money. I spend my money on crafts, supplies, cleaning equipment, dish soap, copy paper, sunscreen, and ... maybe wine. ;)
I love my job. I'm blessed to have a full house by my standards.
