Comments on What Do I Know; I'm Just The Babysitter: Money Can't Buy You Wealth

I know I am going to hear about it tomorrow when I...

2009-12-31T00:22:11.674-05:00

I know I am going to hear about it tomorrow when I hand out my annual receipts for child care! I only hand them out once a year ... and I always hear the same thing! "oh wow, I sure paid you a lot of money! What did you do with it all?" Duh - I paid my bills, fed your child, kept him in craft supplies etc!!
Maybe I should ask what they do with all the money they make at their jobs!!

I have a dcp who made a rude comment each time she...

2009-10-30T12:42:27.256-04:00

I have a dcp who made a rude comment each time she noticed something...wow your child has lots of clothing for the money I pay you....your taking vacation, how can you afford to be off. I just smiled and didn't say anything for the longest time then I started to make remarks back. This is the only dcp i have who just does not get it and funny thing is this person is a former provider. I consider myself lucky because I can stay home with my child doing something that I really enjoy, I do not make lots of money,but as stated in earlier posts it is a lifestye and I love my lifestyle:)

One dcmom I have said to me a couple of weeks ago ...

2009-10-30T11:22:10.173-04:00

One dcmom I have said to me a couple of weeks ago that she is sick of parents complaining about daycare costs she said it's their choice to have kids and if you break it down per hour we don't make nearly enough. Plus she understands that I feed the kids well and put money into the quality care as well. Yup I love this dcmom because she gets it!!!
momof2

HER money???? That's your money once she hand...

2009-10-30T03:09:38.755-04:00

HER money???? That's your money once she hands it over. Wow, that is really unbelievable! I probably would have said..."Oh NO, there is no way I could ever afford to buy this necklace, it was a gift. Gee maybe I should consider increasing my fees! What would you think of that?"

My mother recently bought me a diamond necklace. W...

2009-10-29T20:45:31.342-04:00

My mother recently bought me a diamond necklace. Which is nice...My parents are phycians and make WAY more money than me....
A dc parent looked at my neck this morning and said "My god...Is that a REAL diamond? You naughty girl...wasting my money".
I was shocked. I admit..I had nothing to say...was embarassed...and still don't know what I should have said..

I have worked in Day care centers for sevral year ...

2009-10-29T19:05:01.895-04:00

I have worked in Day care centers for sevral year before opening my own day home and I too got comments from parents who were teachers about how much their child care was and how 'offended' they were to have to pay over the summer to ensure their spots. I even worked in a center once that had a private Kindergarten, with a 'new' teacher who had her own thoughts on child care centers and providers. By the end of the first month she had changed her tune! Her 'teacher' salary for her class was greatly reduced when she was 'just a staff' for the rest of the day. No longer did she think we made to much money! LOL
Now that I have my own day home, I have broken my daily fees down (based on hours/food/bills etc)a few times for parents and they soon see that no, I do NOT make as much money as they think.
Finally, it amazes me that many parents have no qualms about paying between $500-$1000/mth for their vehicles, but God forbid should they do it for their children!
Good post Judy!
Dmansmomy

To anonymous who said: "WOW... that is why I ...

2009-10-29T18:02:20.363-04:00

To anonymous who said: "WOW... that is why I pay the big bucks. GRRRRRR".....

I recently bought a used van. So yep, new to me. One day a dcparent had the nerve to say, "Oh, that's where our money goes". And I piped up and said, "Yep, and I paid cash for it too - thanks".

Stupid, ignorant comments deserve rude, direct answers. It definately stopped this dcparent in their tracks speechless.

Yeah, people think I make the big bucks here too. ...

2009-10-29T15:46:59.233-04:00

Yeah, people think I make the big bucks here too. The going rate for a single child is $30 a day. Those teachers should NOT complain because they have the luxury as well to 'call in sick' from their work and still get paid for it. I do not have that option and during cold/flu season when kids are off for various reasons, I lose a ton of income since I do not charge for days the kids do not come. That's just not the way things are done where I live, I wish that was not the case but it is what it is and I do earn enough for our bills to be paid and for me to also stay home with my 'tweens' as well. Like I've mentioned here before, I am considering changing employment but it is very hard to make the transition and Judy you hit the nail on the head when you said that daycare is not just a job or career, it is a lifestyle and changing lifestyles is not the same as just jumping from job to job, it can't be done lightly, if things aren't going well like say for a teacher, they can apply at another school within their community, I can't just jump ship to another house lol!

Well said. I would just like to point out to you ...

2009-10-29T15:34:15.049-04:00

Well said. I would just like to point out to you that my mother-in-law is actually a semi-retired teacher. When I said I was going to be opening a daycare she was so excited because she could come and play whenever she wanted ... she loves being around kids...

I have rheumatoid arthritis that until recently was in remission. Now I am having to see doctors quite regularly so given her education and experience and yadayadayada, I casually mentioned how it would be great if she actually lived in our town so I could use her as a sub rather than closing my daycare for an afternoon or whatever. She said she'd love to help out, thinking it would be a breeze!

After her 2 hours of subbing for me, she looked at me and said, "Running a daycare is infinitely more difficult than teaching." Because in a classroom, first of all their older and capable of focusing on one task for extended periods of time, and second of all, because they're more structured, again, because of their age and ability to focus.

Just food for thought :)

I love when you are FINALLY able to purchase somet...

2009-10-29T15:24:55.105-04:00

I love when you are FINALLY able to purchase something new, and not necessarily brand new but new to you. And a parent comes in with a snotty comment, like WOW... that is why I pay the big bucks. GRRRRRR
No, that was found on craigslist for $120. It is vintage and I have been hunting for it forever and was DH and my gift to each for Xmas. Apparently, as a daycare provider we are not allowed NEW things. But, it is ok when I purchase NEW items for their kids to play with in my care.
I "love" when parents want to know EXACTLY they are getting for their daily fee...... OMG! I rattle off the usual and basically just say, give your child a few days and you will see. Most do, but you still get the assessment of what they pay you.
I think we should go to their office and make comments on their skill or job and see how they like it.
Yep, charge $27 a day so I can have my house covered daily in germs, sticky fingerprints, a kitchen full of toys(when my kids are tweens), wash sippie cups, divided plates and snack bowls several times daily, have a trashcan full of poopy diapers when its been 9 years since I last changed my own kids. I love every, well almost every minute of it and could easily do without the parental assessment on what they pay me and how I use it.
As for that teacher, she has benefits, health coverage, her pay and tons of vacation all included in her job. She doesnt have to look at her "classroom" all weekend because it is in her house. She can have a crazy morning and rush out the door leaving dirty dishes in her sink, laundry sorted on the floor and a muddy rug and not be judged. Let her do our job 1 day with all it entails and she will run screaming back to the school and be thankful for what she does and what she receives!
I dont make a lot but my bills are paid, my children do not suffer but they do know the meaning of a $1. And like previous post said, we are rich in love!
Kudos to all us daycare providers that put up with comments about income from parents or otherwise for not strangling them on the spot!LOL

Oops, I hit post too soon. I meant to add that I l...

2009-10-29T15:18:07.718-04:00

Oops, I hit post too soon. I meant to add that I love what I do and not all rewards or feelings of satisfaction are related to money :)

Judy, I'm a home daycare provider in Ontario. ...

2009-10-29T15:17:01.998-04:00

Judy, I'm a home daycare provider in Ontario. Last year my accountant handed me a piece of paper and on it was a daily breakdown of my expenses per child according to the information and resources he had to gather the information together.

I charge $25/day per child, the going rate for my area. From this $25 or each child I spend $6/day on food (lunch & 2 snacks), $3/day on taxes, $2/day on utilities, $2/day on insurance, $3/day on craft supplies and resources including toys, $3/day on maintence and miscellaneous (toilet paper & cleaners, wear & tear on furniture, etc). This totals $19/day in expenses just to have that child in my care. So, subtract the $19 of expenses from the $25 I charge each day and I actually earn a whopping $6/day/child which equates to $.60/hour/child.

I dare anyone to tell me that I'm raking in the money doing what I do. I will (and have) happily whip out this piece of paper from my accountant to show them the the facts.

Nice post Judy - I love the lifestyle I have choos...

2009-10-29T14:57:55.865-04:00

Nice post Judy - I love the lifestyle I have choosen. Being a homecare provider is so rewarding & yes we might never get rich in this choosen field. My daughter asked me many years ago if we were rich - I told her rich in LOVE!