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raeanna74 · 09-12-2005, 09:38 AM

I have been operating my own home child care for the past 3 years. It takes planning to make the income even out between summer and school year. Otherwise I have few expenses involved. I already had a lot of baby supplies when I began. My daughter was 2 then. Since then I have mostly only paid for food for snacks and lunches. The key to being able to operate well is a contract. I have found it helpful in protecting myself from moochers who would have continued to bring their kid for me to watch and yet constantly told me "I can't pay you this week." It may sound harsh but I refuse to watch anyone's children if they miss two paydates. Once is reasonable so long as they pay up by the next paydate. Twice - I've yet to see anyone who would pay EVER if they end up missing two paydates. I also can rely on my contract to turn away a parent who's child is uncontrollable. I was amazed to run into this one time when the 5 yr old boy I was watching had a terrible temper and was destructive. When his mother was told of his behavior she simply said "Oh honey did you have a bad day." I only watched him for two weeks. It was all I could take. I have managed to keep one family for just over 3 years. I have become so close to their children that their family were quite impressed with how attached the baby was to me. The mother seems grateful that I have cared for them this long and have no plans of changing my career choice soon. She has recommended me to several other mothers. At this point I have 2 children that I've cared for for over 2 years, one for 1 1/2 years (her entire life), and one who was referred to me by a mother of children that I watched for about a year.

My best advertizement comes from word of mouth. Timing in advertising is crucial. A contract is a must. You gotta be a hard-head sometimes. You gotta know when to be flexible. Take time for yourself. I tend to be a workaholic if anything. If I don't stop to tend to my physical and emotional needs then I end up getting burned out very quickly.

09-12-2005, 09:38 AM	#9 (permalink)
raeanna74 I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot! Location: Upper Michigan	I have been operating my own home child care for the past 3 years. It takes planning to make the income even out between summer and school year. Otherwise I have few expenses involved. I already had a lot of baby supplies when I began. My daughter was 2 then. Since then I have mostly only paid for food for snacks and lunches. The key to being able to operate well is a contract. I have found it helpful in protecting myself from moochers who would have continued to bring their kid for me to watch and yet constantly told me "I can't pay you this week." It may sound harsh but I refuse to watch anyone's children if they miss two paydates. Once is reasonable so long as they pay up by the next paydate. Twice - I've yet to see anyone who would pay EVER if they end up missing two paydates. I also can rely on my contract to turn away a parent who's child is uncontrollable. I was amazed to run into this one time when the 5 yr old boy I was watching had a terrible temper and was destructive. When his mother was told of his behavior she simply said "Oh honey did you have a bad day." I only watched him for two weeks. It was all I could take. I have managed to keep one family for just over 3 years. I have become so close to their children that their family were quite impressed with how attached the baby was to me. The mother seems grateful that I have cared for them this long and have no plans of changing my career choice soon. She has recommended me to several other mothers. At this point I have 2 children that I've cared for for over 2 years, one for 1 1/2 years (her entire life), and one who was referred to me by a mother of children that I watched for about a year. My best advertizement comes from word of mouth. Timing in advertising is crucial. A contract is a must. You gotta be a hard-head sometimes. You gotta know when to be flexible. Take time for yourself. I tend to be a workaholic if anything. If I don't stop to tend to my physical and emotional needs then I end up getting burned out very quickly. __________________ "Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma.