Some of you may remember the days when I wasn't sure about this job, thought I wasn't cut out for childminding, stressed out etc!! I reckon the problem was because I was full from pretty much day one. Only used to having ds (2.5 at the time) then within 2/3 weeks I was looking after an 18 month old, 2 x 2 and half yr olds, 5 yr old & 8 yr old. I wasn't used to that many plus I wasn't used to older children and their major major eating habbits, trying it on habbits and attitude. I was so stressed out and used to often be in tears in the evening.
Well, nearly 2 years on and I'm a different person. I've been stressed at times with ds's behaviour (which turned out to be due to female mindee being very very sneaky and causing trouble and making it look like ds's fault). I used to be very on edge with ds's behaviour, everything was always HIS fault and I was very protective of the mindees. Unfortunately all this caused a major problem with my relationship with ds and I found I was resenting him for making my job so difficult.
Then mindee 1 left to go to private school in Feb (after being with us since July 05). We were very sad to see her go and miss her but I can't believe the change in ds. He became the most lovely little boy, very caring, not causing trouble, it was a real eye opener. Then of cause he turned 4 and suddenly I can do this that and everything so became a lot more helpful.
Well, since mindee left I've had a right change in mindees and it's just all fitting in beautifully. All under 5's (although I feel I could deal with the older ones now! ). I LOVE the littlies, have 2 babies with me atm (different days) one started at 7 weeks and is now 4 months, other one started at around 8 weeks and is now 11 weeks. Got toddler (2 in July) who I've had since she was 6 months old and a new mindee who started yesterday (3). I just love the way they all are, they make me laugh, give me great pleasure and of course I'm seeing these tiny babies change by the day
Yesterday and today were particularly sweet. Yesterday I went to collect new mindee from pre-school and I couldn't believe it when I saw an old mindee sitting at the table having a biscuit (he's now 3 and hasn't been with me for a year) - he ran out of the classroom and came for a cuddle (I neally cried, I'm hormonal at the moment lol). I told him to go back in the classroom as shouldn't have run out. Then new mindee saw me and was so excited about coming over and had apparently told her teachers all about me . Then I get a phonecall from old mindees CM (long story, we used to do together and then we couldn't anymore) saying 'xxxx' is crying his heart out as he thought you were having him today and got confused' - I felt awful but thought 'how sweet' at the same time. THEN.....today I went to pick new mindee from pre-school again and this time she came running out shouting 'Loooooneeeeytuunnneeee' and jumped up for a cuddle. How gorgeous is that. The her dad rings at 4pm saying he's collecting early and when I told her she said 'no, i don't want to go yet, i want to stay here!'
Sooooooo - with all that, finances looking better & the sun shining and I'm not in an office.........I'M LOVING MY JOB!!!!
I don't usually post things like this but I'm just SOOOO HAPPY today I wanted to tell the world!!!
And to top it all, 3 lovely days off!!!
Have a wonderful bank holiday everyone