It's October and a beautiful day. My job allows me to run on the fly, spontaneously escaping from the house to take advantage of any fun activity that presents an opportunity. Being Muffin Day we decided to combine our special treat with a trip to the park to enjoy the cool breeze and watch the giant, fluffy clouds roll in.
As we sat in the park eating muffins and laughing at the small birds who stopped by hoping for a few crumbs I couldn't help but relish in the moment. There I was, getting paid to sit in the park and eat fresh, warm muffins. With me were my own children laughing and giggling and I had the great fortune, because of my job, to bear witness to every smile. What a glorious thing.
Muffins finished, the kids ran to the play equipment in a race to see who would slide first. I took the opportunity to jump on the first swing and pumped my legs forward. It was an exhilarating feeling, sitting in the park, swinging like a carefree child, the wind in my hair and fresh air filling my lungs. It was one of the many moments when I realized how lucky I am. But then again, I thought, I am not really 'lucky'. After all, I chose this destiny. And in doing so I have tremendous job satisfaction. That thought made me wonder how many others have satisfaction in the career path of their choosing.
In 2007 a study was done by the University of Chicago wherein they polled various professionals and labourers and asked the question, "how satisfied are you in your job?". You might be surprised to know that the study cited that, "the most satisfying jobs are mostly professions, especially those involving caring for, teaching, and protecting others and creative pursuits". As daycare providers we certainly fall into that category of caregivers.
Providing daycare is certainly not full of roses and lollipops and we have our moments of frustration and regret. However, I suspect nearly every employee, in every job, has these same moments. I imagine, that even the one individual who has gone through the most demanding, disclosing, and difficult interview process ever - the president of the United States - has mornings when he wakes up and wishes he could pull the covers up over his head and disappear. I'm pretty sure that the president gets far more credit and pay for his accomplishments than we do ours. With that in mind, our jobs are far more fun than being president. Sure, we too have to worry about projectiles coming our way - vomit has that attribute but then again I don't have human shields to protect me from the chunks. Yeah, maybe my job is harder than that of the president!
All vomiting, pooping, peeing, feeding, and tantrums aside we have little to complain about. Yes, the parents can be a challenge but thank goodness I only have to spend five minutes a day with them. But by far, the children, with their laughter and silliness make up for the inadequacies of some parents. And the rewards I reap from the little I sow are a thousand fold. I am positive that in any other line of work I would feel more tired and less satisfied with my accomplishments every evening as I sit folding laundry at eleven o'clock at night when I finally had time, after being out of the house all day. Yeah, my job isn't so bad.
Anytime I meet someone for the first time and am asked what it is I do I always reply with honesty knowing that as soon as I utter the word "daycare" their attention will wane and I will no longer be interesting. That's okay. I know the work I do in one day is probably more important than the work they do in a week's time. Maybe next time that same questions is posed I will answer that I am a 'swinger'. It's sure to pique more interest. Besides, it's true. Yes, I am a daycare provider. However, I wish to be known by my professional name - Muffin Eating, Wind Blown Swinger. Now that job title should turn some heads.
For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca
Thursday, October 22, 2009
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11 comments:
I wholeheartedly agree, as I finish cleaning up from morning baking time while my angels sleep. A four month old is cooing on the living room floor realizing that she has hands,... and wondering when she got them. lol. We have the best jobs,..... even when Ive stayed up too late watching the Indidnapolis Colts, and gotten up too early because one of my factory moms have to go in early, and the headache is just refusing to budge,.. I grab a toddler, hop on the couch with a book and wisper it to him. All the while loving my job. I had a mom yesterday who was upset with herself because she had to pick up her son after a long day here, and take him to her work and have their childcare watch him while she had a meeting. She was feeling bad because he had been at daycare all day... I reminded her. He was at Miss Jill's. and that isnt daycare to him,.. its his second home. Thats why I love my job,.... My house is just their second home. they are my second family,... and that is the perfect job for me. laundryduchess
I have been feeling very unsatisfied with my job as of late, but yet even though I was offered a part time job this week outside the home, I was either too chicken to accept it or too attached to my lifestyle or something. I am wondering if anyone here reading Judy's blog has ever quit daycare and then returned to it? I personally have quit daycare and returned to it. I had to quit the first time because we moved from one city to another. I quit for about three years, worked out to my benefit as I was able to collect mat leave benefits when my second son was born. Here I am over six years later, wanting a change for myself as my kids are older but I just can't break free from this line of work. It totally isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle and a habit and to return to the workforce seems a little scary after being home with children for so long!
I too have been enjoying the past few days outdoors with the children. Park time is such a relaxing time for me to watch and observe the kids.
I love my job - I wouldn't consider quiting daycare to work outside the home - nope - not me!
junglejen, I closed my daycare this past July and I regret the decision every single day. I guess that's why I continue to read this blog everyday.
Tara.
Tara, what are you doing now that you're done with daycare? What made you decide to close? I too know that if and when I do decide to call it quits, I'll keep on reading Judy's blog too :)
junglejen, could it be the ages of the children you have right now or their temperaments. I have 3 two year olds and 2 two and half year olds. They are a handful. But I've noticed as they get older by 3 or 4 months things change. I go through easy days for awhile and then have hard week or two. We also deal with our own families at the same time. Depending on the day, their mood, my mood, and my families will depend on the kind of day I have. I too left this type of work and went to work outside the home. To me this is the most rewarding work I have ever done. I hope this helps you to make a decision.
junglejen, I'm just staying home with my own kids for now (they are 3 & 4) and I have to admit that although I love having them to myself, I'm really bored. When I decided to close I told myself it was because it was too much work and too little money (I deducted expenses, like my cleaning lady from my daycare income to make it look as though I was making less then I was). The truth of the matter is that I was feeling burned out, I just didn't realize it at the time. I needed a vacation, which I hadn't done since I started my daycare, and for some reason never took one because I didn't want to put my daycare families out. Instead I left them all scrambling to find someone new. My DH and I took a trip to Rome just after I closed and it was the best thing I could have done. I realized when I got back that I felt totally refreshed and that time away was probably all I needed.
I would really love to re-open but I feel really guilty for the families that I terminated.
Tara.
ladies, it's my own children that are affecting my ability to enjoy this job anymore. My boys are 8 and 12 and the 12 yr old currently is making it his life's mission to tease and torment the kids in my care. He constantly has his nerf guns out and while some of the boys think it's great some of the girls do not and they freak out and scream and cry and of course that is what he's hoping they do. I had one parent the other day say their 2 yr old boy didn't want to come in that day, it must have been because of at pick up the day before when he was playing outside with the older boys he was scared of him. This morning, my 7 yr old girl who has been here since she was a baby was drawing pictures in my window in the condensation and she drew a really cute witch and my son came and wiped it away making her cry which was kind of silly on her part too but just plain mean on my son's part. He's moody and grumpy and I'm just at the point where I am going to pick a date, close up shop and my boys will be in for a rude awakening. Their sports and music lessons will come to a screeching halt, I will cancel internet and cable t.v. I feel I need to do something extreme to make them realize that if they end up driving me to quit this job we will all be making some huge sacrifices since some months, I make just as much as my husband brings home since he earns straight commission with his job.
Junglejen
I resorted to threatening my 6 year old with sending her somewhere else when she acts up. Actually called a place once and asked if they had openings and what their prices were. I guess it scared the nasties out of my kid. She started walking the straight and narrow reeeal quick.
Maybe you should cancel all the "extras" for a week or two so he can get a taste of what it would be like if you did have to close up shop. Really, he should be more of a help than a hinderance now. Ooooh, maybe you could offer him a stipend if he does help out with something or another. Not to behave, but to actually be of some sort of assistance. I know another provider who does that with her 13 year old daughter. Works out okay for her, but I don't think there was a behavior issue before.
Almost nothing worse than when it's your kid you want to kick out......
I quit almost a year ago to stay home with just my own kids as well and I have to say that so far I am LOVING it! The only way I will go back is if I have to financially...never the kids, always the parents!!
LOL at your title still;)
having fun with the kids is important:)
momof2
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