CM Club: How do people react when you tell them you're a childminder?

[allieballie]

I was out with my DH last night when we bumped into a friend of a friend of his. So we were chatting along quite friendly when she asks what it is that I do. Her reaction to me being a childminder was "oh", then she turned around and started talking to someone else, me obviously being a lower life form.

I know I wasn't being paranoid cos my husband noticed it too and he's not very observant in such things! I've calmed down now but she ever needs childcare...

Just want to let you all know.....reading through this thread and some of the other threads about childminding has made me think alot about what you do. I've never used a child minder but I have quoted some of you lot when my Mum has moaned about my sister's child minder "She is really raking in the money you know" and "She just does it to make money" (err.... yes Mum - that's the point - to make a living) so I guess, unfortunately for you, those views are probably quite widespread
Hang in there - you're doing a great job - not sure I could do it

ThePrisoner ... love the crowd control analogy (?)! Your username is so apt for that. And going by my 2 lo's crowd control is what my nanny does.

How dare some people say you CM's don't have a proper job?!?

I have a 'proper job' because I couldn't be a childminder! I think it's bloody hard work and hats off to anybody who chooses that as a profession. Same goes for nannies of course.

Don't get me wrong, I love my children, but I'm not cut out to be home 24/7 :)

Hadn't it been for a lovely childminder who looked after dd a few years back I wouldn't have been able to go back to work. And dd became a 'bearable' toddler after having been ever so difficult. I kept praising my cm for her patience and loving care!

Same goes for my nanny now who looks after both of my lo's doing 'crowd control'

When i was a f/t working mum (proper job) i used to feel sorry for myself because i didn't have time to go to the beach/park with my son as weekends were always filled with house work.
Now i'm c/m it's fantastic i get paid to go to the beach/park with my/cm kids i also get help with my house work! (The kids love a game of pairing socks, passing pegs, dusting & hoovering):0
How many people with proper jobs can say that.
I also have a big smile on my face most of the time because when the kids are having fun i'm having fun.