So last day as a child minder

[thebody]

Hi it's my last day as a cm after 4 years full time, 8 an till 6 and I am leaving to concentrate on my own Dcs now.

Just thought would share things I will and definaty won't miss and wonder if all cms out there agree.

Will miss,

The children of course,
Cuddles and someone else's child putting their arms around you and telling you they love you.
Running my own business and earning money to pay bills and treats.
Managing parents and dealing with tricky psychological issues of child care.
Working from home do around if my own kids need me or are ill.

Won't miss,

House looking like a nursery
Muddy shoes on my carpets and general invasion of parents, grand parents etc
Own Dcs actually not realising I am WORKING.
Going to the park with 4 under 5 and two embarrassed dds of 13 and 10 who hiss. ' mum we looking a Jeremy Kyle family it's do embarassing'.
Working school holidays
Never having a lie in
Smelly nappies
The ' oh I forgot to pay you' text ' so sorry'

That's about it really, don't mind the paperwork or Ofsted actually.

But here's to a half term lie in

God, I'd stop tomorrow if I could afford it!

enjoy your new freedom !

I know Octavia, it is physically a very hard job I think.

Am going to college in sept to do level 3 and got my placement sorted. Am so looking forward to having school hours and hols with my Dcs and keeping home as private just for my family iucwim.

Thanks random but still need to work, excluding lottery win. Sigh.

hi, the body

have "spoken" to you before

well done for making your decision, of course you'll miss the money but it sounds like the benefits will far out weigh that!

hope everything works out for you and your family, its time to get a bit of time for yourself and concentrate on your own kids and family!

all the best, open a bottle tonight and toast yourself!

Thanks Faye, I recognise your user name and think you sent best wishes to my dd, she is doing well now btw.

I have got that bottle in fridge!!!

Congratulations you can now have your house back all clean and kid clutter free.

I don't know how you do it childminders!

Good luck thebody, enjoy the quiet!

Good luck in the next chapter of your life! I'm really enjoying childminding - having just started. I'm not sure it could be a forever career for me either though, it's certainly the most exhausting job I've ever done.

Alas redglow, clean it always was but never clutter free!

Ling, it's a wonderful job i have enjoyed it and I hope all continues well with you.

Hi Body

I gave up a year ago, I now nanny, part time, I love having the house as a house not a nursery, no mess and being able to have the house we always wanted.

By nannying I still get the fun with the kids, but none of the paperwork mess and hassle from ofsted

I gave up CMing 4 years ago, after a 12 year stint. Best thing I ever did giving up! I loved it, whilst I did it, but the time was right.

Things you won't realise you don't miss, until you realise you don't do them anymore, iyswim!

• putting the bathroom cleaning products in a safe place, rather than behind the toilet. (Assuming I'm not the only parent of a teenager that does that!)
• wiping walls at waist height
• having to open kitchen cupboards with two hands, because there's child lock on the door.
• leaving a hot cup of tea where you can see it and not on a shelf out of toddles reach
• Going upstairs without having to do a risk assessment first!

Shoshe Mwah!

glad your dd is doing well

All the best thebody. Your 'will miss' and 'won't miss' lists made me laugh. Same in this house!
Enjoy some peace and time with your own family. Hope your DD is still making good recovery.
Feet up; cup of tea and a !

All the best thebody. Enjoy your own home and not having to run after anyone but you and your own DC's.

All the best :)

Thanks so much everyone, will do and will keep posting as an interfering nosy old boot.

Good job finished as have also finished the bottle ooops

Have a wonderful, well-earned rest, my love!
Hope you stay around here - we really value your common sense directness xxx

With Tanith here, do stay around, I too, like your veiw on things

Enjoy your 'retirement' and having your home back..

Good luck

I would like DD to be able to have a sleepover without having to boot them all out of the play room so I can have it clean and tidy by 8am.

I gave up cm'ing after 4 years to concentrate on my DS who has autism. It was a tough decision but I'm glad I did it.

I don't miss house looking like a nursery and having people in and out all the time. My table now has sharp corners with no plastic clunky corner protectors on. I have white or cream matt walls in almost every room. No educational posters, sign in charts, risk assessment charts, obs and planning sheets. I can relax with a hot drink. I don't worry whether I will be paid or not this week/month.

I miss the house full of little kiddies (DS does not), the cuddles and day to day interaction with the children and their families, seeing the mindees grow up into their own little people.

Am still in touch with some of my minded families and I stopped cm'ing in 09. One mindee dropped some toys off for my DS IN HER CAR the other day! Scary wonderful stuff!

Thanks so much mateys I will be sticking around, once a cm etc.

Bored, how funny re mindee driving!! Lovely.

Just taken posters down. Dh taking all locks off later. Will be wierd.