Dear Moms....

I have been both a working mom, and a stay at home mom.  Let me tell you, both are difficult in their own way.  As a working mom I had to juggle all my work duties, home duties, and mother and wife duties.  As a stay at home mom with a daycare, I still juggle all of those.  There are plus and down sides to both as well!  When I worked, I didn't get to spend as much time with my kids as I wanted to, but had adult conversations every day!  Now, I spend all the time in the world with my kids, but sometimes go days without a meaningful adult conversation. 

I love my job now.  I keep 4 little ones at my house each day, and love each one of them as though they were my own.  I have been blessed to have kids that come from loving families, and they have great moms, so I can't complain.  I have had some doozies of moms, too.  The following letter was on a friend's blog the other day.  She writes under anonymity, so I am not going to post her name, but she gave me permission to copy this letter. 

This is for moms who work.  Moms who are thinking about working.  Moms who have had their kids in a daycare and can relate.  Anyone who keeps children.  Its so true, and made me laugh.  Hope it does the same for you!

"Dear Mothers of My Daycare Angels,
     Today sucked, and guess who I am going to take it out on?  That's right.  You.  Because frankly, your children are the way they are because of you.  Please remember I spend no less than 9 hours a day with your children.  I know them very well, inside and out.  I speak each child's individual baby language.  I love them like I do my own.  I might also remind you here that, although I do not clock into a job every day, I am not an idiot. 

     First, when you walk in my door and announce "Guess who pooped on the way over here!?"  I hear, "My kid pooped in his pants right before I left the house and I didn't have time to change it.  But that is OK, that's what I pay you for!"  Really?  You live 10 minutes from my house.  Poop doesn't dry on a butt in a 10 minute ride!  Please, make sure your child is clean when they get here!  I know the difference!

     Second, when you say "He has a runny nose, but its just his allergies (or teeth)", I hear, "My kid is sick, but I can't afford to take a day off.  I gave him Tylenol 30 minutes ago so his fever would be down when we got here.  Get ready, its gonna spike in about 2 hours."  If your child is sick, PLEASE keep him at home!  I have several other children here, as well as my own and myself!  If you bring your angel here sick, I will get sick.  When I get sick, I take time off, and you will have to take a day off work.  Why not keep your baby at home and care for him!?

     Third, on Friday afternoons, when you say "Oh shoot!  I totally forgot my checkbook!", I hear "You see, I went shopping on my lunch break.  Now, I can't pay you.  I have to wait until my husband gets his check so that we can afford it."  MAY I REITERATE.  I AM NOT DUMB.  I know how much you make.  Hell, you bragged to me about how much you spent while you were shopping.  While I love your children, I have this daycare to help my family with financial needs. You paying me is no different than your boss paying you!  How would you feel if your boss came to you and said "I'm sorry, but things are just a little tight right now.  I should be able to pay you next week, though."  Please pay me!  If you don't, I will not continue to keep your child.  Then, how will you work to fund your shopping addiction!?

     Fourth.  "I forgot the diaper bag again!  I am loosing my mind!"  Yes.  You are loosing your mind because you think I fall for that.  The fact is, you ran out of time to go to the store for diapers, but know that I keep some extra ones on hand just in case.  Don't worry.  Those extra come from when you actually do bring the diaper bag.  I pull them out and replace mine that I had to use.

     Lastly, you can say "My angel is the  most independent child I have ever come across!" all you want.  Some of them truly are!  Some of them.....eeeeeeeh....not so much. 

     I care for your child, because I love your child.  I am a temporary mom to your children while you are at work.  My job is not menial, mindless, and I do not sit on the couch and watch TV all day, contrary to popular belief.  When they fall down, I kiss their booboo like you would.  They love me.  Be kind to your daycare provider.  We take care of your most prized possession all day.  Be grateful.  Pay on time.  Tell us the truth about your angel, because we can help them better. 

    Have a nice friggin day.

Sincerely,
Your daycare provider.