Just The Babysitter

I don't know anything. None of my colleagues and fellow daycare providers know anything either. We're all a bunch of dumbunnies who are incapable of the innate capacity to learn from past experience. In the world of science and psychology the ability to learn from one's past environmental experiences is coined perceptual development. Infants and toddlers use perceptual cues to understand and remember the world they discover. Perceptual development allows a child to understand that touching a hot stove once will, indeed, burn you the next time you touch the same stove. Perceptual development continues throughout our lives and every time we encounter a new environment or skill we employ this innate tool to teach ourselves important life information.

In this twentieth century world there is a mistaken notion that every job and career has a specific, measurable agenda and curriculum that must be learned, understood, and then tested before any one person can be accredited and therefore, assumed to be knowledgeable in that field. Gone are the days wherein experience - real life experience - counts for anything more than fireside story content. It is sad that so many people doubt themselves and others to the extent that in the process of their doubt they often discount valuable people and beneficial information.

Many daycare providers do not have expensive pieces of paper hanging on the wall attesting to the accreditation of their knowledge in the field of childcare. Most home daycare providers I have encountered are quite simply moms who choose to use their expertise as mothers and caregivers as an extension to those who live outside the confines of their homes. These women are smart, savvy and well-versed in everything children.

I do not possess a degree in early childhood education. I have, however, reared two polite, smart and independent children of my own. I have changed thousands of diapers, prepared hundreds of meals, and kissed more boo-boos than there are numbers. Do these repeated tasks not count for experience and accreditation of some kind?

One of the pet peeves of daycare providers is parents' inability to listen to our suggestions regarding the care and concern of their children. I do not possess a degree in medicine but I have changed many diapers and I am well versed in the various levels of diaper rash. When I recommend that a parent might want to pick up some Canesten cream at Wal-mart on the way home because I suspect the diaper rash is, in fact, a yeast infection, then please pay heed to my advice.

I am not a nutritionist nor do I hold any degrees in food sciences but when I ask that you not ask me for the hundredth time to allow your three year old to use milk as a main source of sustenance please listen to me. You see, in my care you child does eat lunch. Why? Simply put, he does not get a choice.

My name is not Dr.Marc Weissbluth but I have read and employed the techniques of his sleep book with dozens of children. When I tell you that your two year old still needs to nap each day and that his overtired behaviour and your lack of parenting are responsible for his not calming down at night then please, once again, give me the benefit of the doubt. And for God's sake, if I tell you that your child has not used his soother for over a month do not ask me to reintroduce it at nap time.

And for the last time; please stop putting the shoes on the feet of your four year old. When I inform you that she is quite capable of doing so herself believe me then as well. You see, your four year old does some amazing things when you are not here to do them for her.

Daycare providers are wise people. Many of the ladies who have been in the business of childcare for twenty or more years may have literally cared for sixty or more children in that time. That is sixty children transitioned into care; sixty children in a successful nap routine; sixty children she has potty trained; sixty children she has taught how to self dress; sixty children she has weaned from bottles, soothers and cozy blankets. These seasoned veterans know more and have experienced more than any grandma on the block. Learn from them. Use their experience as your tool.

I can not claim to have been in the business for twenty years. Although I have been providing care for more than five years. In that short time I have personally seen more than fifteen children come through my doors. I am not a mathematician or statistician but I am guessing that with my own children counted as well that is at least fifteen times more experience than most of the parents who come through my doors can attest to having.

Daycare providers are amazing people. Many of us do no have fancy watermarked diplomas rolled in a tube, sitting in the recesses of our closets but we do have time and experience that is easily seen and witnessed if you look hard enough. Give us the benefit of the doubt some time. You never know what you might learn.

Will most parents take our advice and apply it as requested? Probably not. But then again, what do I know; I'm just the babysitter.

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