Hardly Happenstance

Today I wrote out tax receipts for all those families who attended in 2009. As I tallied up each child's expenses it was like going down (sometimes bad) memory lane. I thought of all the children I cared for throughout the last year of the decade. Ten children in all were included in my thoughts. And while I was thinking of those ten children something occurred to me; the first half of 2009 was hell, the last half heaven.

The fact alone that ten different children were cared for in my home last year should be a testament to the aforementioned hell. I now understand why this blog came to fruition. You see, it was just a few of those ten children who made life, and daycare, a miserable existence. Luckily for me and the new children who took the place of some of those I terminated the second half of 2009 was a much happier time.

Last year I said good-bye to a long time family of five years that I had mistakenly assumed cared about me and my daughter. Their daughter and mine played together at daycare for five years and grew up from iddy-bitty twelve month olds, shared toddlerhood, toilet training and the first days of school. But when push came to shove it was apparent that all the history was meaningless. I was just the babysitter. And so they went leaving a space for two other children.

It's remarkable how a present situation can cast doom and gloom. If we all had the luxury of a crystal ball we would never spend a moment of our lives stressing over the concerns of now. Instead, we would have everlasting faith that all would work out for the best; and it did. I traded two spoiled, manipulative children for two wonderful toddlers who love to play and laugh and interact. I only wish that I knew then what it is I know now - that there is no room here for children who do not wish to partake in the fun, interactive and loving environment I provide. But there are plenty of parents and children waiting for those spaces.

As I finished up writing each and every receipt I realized something I had overlooked. Right now, in this present moment, I have the very best set of daycare children and daycare parents I have ever had in all my years of providing care. The children, for the most part, interact and behave themselves while in my care. The parents pay on time and rarely need to be reprimanded for dismissing the terms of our contract together. Yes, as far as daycare goes, this is heaven.

Of course, I also realize none of this is happenstance. Every time I have been duped, disrespected and fooled I learned to never allow it to happen again. I am better now at hand picking families and asserting my expectations than ever before. Simply put - I ask and I receive.

So, here we are, day two and still positive. If I had that crystal ball I could tell you how long it will last. But for today, I'll take it.



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