Neurosurgery And Rocket Science Is Hard Work

I always love it when I hear comments like, "Oh, wow, I don't know how you do it". Usually these remarks are more concerns than general statements. In interviews it always comes up. New parents wonder how the heck it is that you can handle the care of five little people at one time. To the casual observer these concerns might be justified. To daycare providers it's just another misunderstanding of who we are as people.

There are many jobs I could never do. I could never work at Tim Hortons. The standing all day long, smiling at people who are in a hurry and just wanting their coffee would simply kill me. I also couldn't be a neurosurgeon. The immense responsibility for the morbidity and mortality of others is far more than I could handle. And the presence of blood and disease is not something I want in my daily life. Rocket science, with it's implied excitement of sending people and materials to outer space, sounds like fun but the years spent studying and preparing for such a career is more than I am willing to give.

Daycare providers harbour a big secret. The secret is that it really doesn't take any special skills to be a good provider. You do need to be compassionate and kind. I do however, believe that most people possess these attributes if you look hard enough. The only skill we really possess that makes us successful in our field is multi-tasking. There I said it - we only have one true skill. But this is not a skill that is easily honed and if you lack it - then you lack it. Without the ability to multi-task and think three steps ahead your daycare career will meet an untimely demise.

My response to those parents in any interview that ask me in a curious and concerned matter how it is that I can ensure their child will not be forgotten is this, "I couldn't imagine sitting in your chair at the bank with the enormous responsibility of all that money. I also couldn't imagine cutting into some one's brain. Just as a neurosurgeon could never do my job neither could I do his. When I go in for surgery I don't doubt the ability of my surgeon. When I visit your bank I don't doubt your ability to count my change correctly".

The above statement alone is enough to prompt them to reconsider their misgivings. We all possess inherent traits that allow us to be successful in the various aspects of our fields. So don't ask me again how it is that I do what I do. Just take into account my track record and the fact that never once has a parent arrived at pick up to not find their child intact. Daycare isn't rocket science.





For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca