The End of An Era (by Amy)

I have been starting our "pre-sabbatical days" with some spring cleaning.  I really did not believe we had this much stuff until we pulled it down from the attic and sorted. Three quarters of these items are day care related.  This is the last week I will be offering day care in my home.

It is a bittersweet feeling.  I am grateful for how the Lord provided me with employment the past five years.  I assumed when we moved here in 2006, I would eventually start some type of part time job.  I was unsure of what type of worked I wanted to do.  If I paid someone to watch my children part time so I could work part time--we probably would have broke even.  It was not worth it. Even though being a stay at home mom did not come naturally to me and was tiring at times, I knew it was good for my kids.

A few months ago I heard a "homeschool mom" say she started homeschooling many years ago believing it was the best way to educate your children and that everyone should try it.  Now when people approach her and say they want to homeschool, she says, "That's wonderful.  But be careful because you need to know what you are signing up for."  I would react the same way to those wanting to do in home day care.  Don't watch other people's children because you believe it will be easy income and your kids will love the instant playmates.  It is hard work!  Sometimes it is a ten hour day with hardly any break.  

You have to be willing to share your home.  It's not that difficult when your own kids are at home all day and already destroying playing in the house.  Why not add a few more?  It got harder as my children got older and had needs of their own.  

But I am grateful I could provide care to a total of 18 day care kids with the help of my family and several friends who served as subs or aides.  This past year I had almost all boys which was a new dynamic because I started with almost all girls.  

I am excited to work outside of the home next year.  It is something I had to put on hold for many years.  God put it on my heart this winter that it was time to pursue a new job. I knew God was calling me to early childhood education, but it was a decision I needed to process over time.  I am grateful for my husband, some dear friends, and my extended family for giving me advice as well as praying for me during this process.

 I know it will be adjustment for all of us and I daresay it will not be easier than day care...in some ways more difficult.  I am greatly looking forward to it.

So with all the day care items on their way to be sold and other stuff we don't need anymore, I am thrilled to have an organized and emptier attic.  I can't remember the last time it looked like this.  I should have taken a "before picture."  Basically you opened the door to the attic and you could not get through.

I think what I walked away with most from the past five years of doing child care was the friendships.  Some of my clients were my friends beforehand and others became my friends as a result of being my clients. I tried to see us as teammates in caring for their children.  I know these friendships will continue even if I am not watching their children anymore.