When I Grow Up

I am often amused when I run into another "daycare lady". For me, I am always trying to work my profession into my conversations. I can bring just about any topic back to kids and child care. It is the same for many "daycare ladies" so it usually comes out within just a couple minutes of meeting a fellow child care provider.

After the other provider and I figure out that we are each a "daycare lady" there ensues a type of conversation that I believe every "daycare lady" wants to have. A conversation about the details and struggles of daily life in child care. 

"How long have you been in childcare?" "How many kids do you have?" "What hours do you work?"
"Are you going to do it forever?" "Are your kids good?"

It is almost like you are talking with a fellow inmate at a prison you have just been transferred too. They might as well be asking "How many years have you been in prison?" "How many guards are on your block?" "What is the schedule like?" "How long is your sentence?" "Are the guards nice here?"

You will often hear people in my profession talk about when they will "get out" of childcare like the job was some sort of trap that they stumbled upon. Then the exchanging of tips is even more interesting. Tips for getting kids to nap, eat, play nicely, stop biting, etc. etc. etc. Everyone has a "trick of the trade" to get you through your day.

At first it felt like I had been inducted into some secret society where the "daycare lady" wasn't afraid to tell me the difficulties of her job. She didn't hesitate to say a child was a whiner or a bully. In society the "daycare lady" cannot mention her struggles. We are supposed to be enjoying every minute of this. Right, like anyone ever "enjoyed" changing a diaper, wiping up puke or cleaning up drool.

I have to admit that I am always a sore thumb in these conversations. I run a tight ship in my house and my daycare kids are generally well behaved. Most days they do not make ungodly messes or fight constantly. Although we have had our share of both. My day usually goes smoothly and even when it doesn't I don't really mind as much as most people. I just go with the flow of the kids and get through to when the clock hits 5:30. I probably look like a snooty brat when I don't come up with daycare gossip to share about my kids.

Most days if I honestly ask myself if I could do this forever, I know I could. It wouldn't always be easier than a "normal" job but I would take this over most other options. I get to eat breakfast at home, wear whatever I want, cook whatever I want, do dishes/laundry/clean the house while I'm working and I even get the occasional nap right down the middle of my day. Who wouldn't want that right?

I don't WANT to always be a "daycare lady" though. I want a flexible job in which I can make my own schedule, never be bored, get a break during the day, drive my kids to and from school, be home to cook dinner, have time to play with my kids, have time to go on dates with my husband and make enough money to support my family. It is a tall order but I think I found my answer. I will be writing more on my plans for the future in tomorrow's blog. In the mean time I will try to enjoy my time with the kids and the occasional "prison talk" with my fellow providers :)