Is cm different when your own children are much older?

[floppyearsandcurlywiskers]

Only been a cm for a year so still finding my feet really in alot of ways. I keep comparing myself to some of the older more experienced cm I have met at groups etc but their own children are either all grown up and flown or teenagers. My children, got 3, are still young 2,6 and 9 so i feel I'm half full before I even start iyswim. Had a bit of a wobble in the hols which I posted about on here which has knocked my confidence a bit. I probably ought to stop comparing how I run my business as we are all individuals and what works for one would not suit another. I guess what i am asking is - is being a cm a different experience as your own children grow up?

I too have 3 DC, 11, 9 and 3. I find the older 2 are so self sufficient that I kindov forget they are there sometimes as they are normally holed up in their bedrooms or out with friends. My youngest is at nursery in the afternoons so If im honest my own children dont really affect my business (in a nice way). And from sept my youngest will be full time at school.

I think, the more children you have, they just seem to slot in.

I also have 7 minded children (not all at the same time) but dont really find it a problem. You just kinda get on with things.
(Oh and Ive been minding less than 2 yrs).

I don't find it a problem. I have 6 part time on the books but I only have 2 mindees normally at anyone time so therefore only 5 children in total including my own at any one time. This suits me I don't want anymore. I see other cm pick up quite a few afterschoolers but I have chosen not to do after schoolers at the moment. My 9 and 6 year olds still want and need plenty of my attention but I can see as they get slightly older I may feel able to take on more. Just interested really in what others think. One cm friend said to me it only felt like a job when her youngest started school. I think that was pre EYFS paperwork explosion though!

My ds's are 17.6, 13.6 and the dd's are 4.8 and 2.8. I minded from when i was pg with ds2 and i think it is easier in some ways when your own are pre-school age.

I found it more difficult when mt ds's were over 5 years and i was full with my under 5 mindees. I couldn't take the ds's to swimming lessons after school anymore and they couldn't have friends over which used to cause real problems with ds1 especially.

However i am looking forward to both my dd's being at school in a couple of years and i might be able to earn some decent money again!!!

My DD is age 9 and I have been minding since she was a baby (you know ... just do it for a couple of years then send her to nursery!). I find it fits in well around school runs and school holidays, but she can't do as much as she wants after school. I also get complaints that I spend more time with the mindees than her . She is very helpful in the holidays and gets rewarded accordingly. I find it easier now than when she was a toddler.

My own are 19, 21 and 24 and I began minding when youngest was 4.
It is much easier now and I'm more relaxed about my job.
I very rarely had conflict with my own children, but I explained from day 1 that my job Allowed them to have lovely holidays and treats.

Hi, my own children are aged 17,15,12 and 9, 17 year old has recently left home. Middle two love having tiny ones in the house especially 12 year old.