Maybe you want to rethink the discount....

I understand that everyone is looking to save a buck. I really do. But let's consider what happens when you do this with your daycare provider. First, I will preempt this with... I do not give lesser service to those that pay less. I mean it isn't the kids fault the parent don't "get it". But it would be nice to run across more parents that have an appreciation for what I do.

I have had two parent this week complain about things. Not my care for the kids... but rather what I don't have. I don't have central air turned on every day. If it will be over 90 for more than 2 days, I will turn it on, but unless that is the case, we won't. I started to live by this philosophy that if you can't afford your bill as it is, then you don't go making it double just for your comfort. So we do without. All of us. My kids too.

I also never answer my phone. I don't have caller ID. I have an answering machine, that screens my calls. Couple of reasons for that. Bill Collector. He always calls and I will be damned if I am going to run to the phone to talk to someone I can't pay. And the other, I am usually busy with the kids. How many times have I run out of the bathroom with a half naked baby, because I was changing a diaper and the phone rang. Sometimes it is "Bill"... and sometimes it is a hang up. So I started just letting the machine get it. If they can leave me a message, then all the better. I don't have to get up at all. Now, one mom complained that I don't have caller ID. Well, I can't afford caller ID. If I am screening my calls from Bill, then perhaps I should save that money that I would spend on caller ID on something else. Plus, you want a discount.

They tell me that I make a lot of money doing this daycare business. And I make a fair share, I guess. But let's factor in that I have 4 kids of my own now. So limits how many kids I can have, and therefore how much money I can potentially make. If you bring your child for 15 hours a day... then I only get the daily rate of $30. So that makes my time worth about $2/hour. If you are say (let's just say...) a nurse, and you are making $25/hour, and my cut of your time is $2/hour. And I don't get over time... then it isn't like I am raking in a bunch of cash. In fact, my house is getting trashed, kids wreck my stuff all the time, eat all my food... and so on. I replace stuff. I have to feed the kids... I have to buy stuff to entertain, and clean and all that. My air if on, has to run all day. I can't set it for only when I am home, I am always home. My water bill is higher... everything is higher.

You want a discount on your childcare... don't expect me to do the things that you will get at a large center. Projects, fun field trips... all things I would like to do. With my kids as well. But we can't. Because those things cost money. You want your kids to have a variety of fresh foods, fruits and veggies, every day... then those things cost money. Cutting $25/week per kid is going to make a difference in that stuff. It really will.

And that is just the financial aspect of it. If you are home with your kid, and you want these things for your children, you buy them. You enjoy fun activities with your kids. You want them to have fun when they are with me. Great! Me too. But I can't afford it on the discounted rate that I gave you in order to get your business.

Your child will be equally safe with me. But you really do get what you pay for. I hope someone can see that.