BEST AND WORST..

[Demonjill]

Hi, today i have been thinking :eek: and I was wondering whats everyones best thing they like about minding and whats the worst?

And if there is anything they would have done different?

[sue m]

Well, the best bit is - the job - the kids and seeing them grow up and learn to do things, it's so rewarding isn't it. The only worst bit I can honestly think of is the school run in winter or when it's pouring down!!!! And some of the parents but didn't have many of those who made it 'awkward'.

[christine e]

Best thing - PAY DAY seriously playing outside in the sunshine and worst thing is probably when the older ones start falling out with each other.

Cx

[fionamal]

Best Bits :- Seeing the kids grow up, being at work in the park or beach, playing games all day with the kids, being your own boss, lots of cuddles


Worst Bits ;- messy house, amount of paperwork, school runs in the horrible weather

[Roseolivia]

Best thing- being at home with my daughter and doing what we want when we want to.
Worst- Rude kids, no manners

[Daftbat]

Best bits - seeing the kids enjoy themselves and having parents really appreciate you.:)

Worst bits - having some parents take you for granted. Not always getting enough time with my own kids.:(

Things i would have done differently - not worked so much at weekends (don't now) and trained myself earlier to be able to say "no":laughing:

[berkschick]

Best bits - The cuddles two of my mindees give, being able to be here for my own children, my 2 year old having play mates everyday, being my own boss

Worst bits - bending over backwards to help parents to be disregarded a week later when something cheaper comes along!!!

[ruby]

best bits - the children love watching them and listening to them watching them grow up

worst bit - not getting paid and having to chase them for your money

cathy

[Schnakes]

The best - without a doubt, the children that Im minding at the moment. They are all little lovelies and I get on well with all the parents. Im dreading them being replaced. Especially my little girl whos leaving me for nursery. :( I also love the freedom of chosing what I want to do when I want to do it.

The worst - when they leave (well - most of them, anyway!!)...also, nappy changes and the constant mess!

Sx

[helenlc]

Best bits - sitting in the garden in the sun "working", being there to take my children to school and pick them up, watching the children enjoying what I provide.

Worst - not being paid on time, being taken for granted, violent tantrums.

Anything I would change - would like to work 4 days if poss to give myself one day to do housework and paperwork so I dont have to do it w/ends and evenings.

[emler]

Best bits - getting paid to have fun with the children & being home for my own child

Worst bits - my own family becoming ill frequently because parents send their kids here when they are unwell.

[Chatterbox Childcare]

Best bits - when the children arrive in the morning with a beaming smile echoed by the parents and they put their arms out for a cuddle. Pay day!

Worst bits - having to do the nursery run in the rain with 3 little ones and I am the one who gets wet! Being given notice.

[Schnakes]

Ooh yeah, another worst - Elmer has just reminded me - the constant bringing of children when they ill!!!

If I could change anything it would be...urm...ME!! I really ought to be more organised. It just doesnt work if you are disorganised like me! Life is constantly stressful because of it.

Sx

[wendywu]

The best of all bit.. Seeing their faces at christmas parties and watching them in the nativity play.

The worst... sorting out the money part of minding.

[ORKSIE]

Best..My lovely Mindees, they are all fantastic kids.
Being paid
Spending my wages
Being outside when the sun is shining(not at the moment)
Being here for my family
Worst..Yukky nappies
Sick
Losing Mindees
Sorting out Tax forms and accounts:panic:

[Bananabrain]

Best:listening to children laughing and having a lovely time.

Worst by far:{annoys me on a daily basis} parents taking me for granted and thinking I do this for a bit of 'pin money.' Just generally how much childminders are undervalued.

[huggableshelly]

Best Bits -
being able to work from home and not rely on anyone else to provide care for my own children whilst sharing my home and skills with other children who's parents follow different career paths preventing them from staying home.

being my own boss, making decissions on going out or staying in, being able to take my holiday time when I want too and not having to work around a team of people who all want the same weeks off which would damage a nursery where staffing is concerned.

being able to be ME without pretending how much I like the job I may have been doing as in fake smiles at mcdonalds, tescos etc though I'm sure there are many out there who really do enjoy those kind of jobs.

Worst bits -
paperwork mainly the accounting side of it all

school runs in the rain but I would have to do these anyway with my own children so not really a worst bit of minding as such

being tough - handing out warnings for late fees etc

[haribo]

best bit is the freedom to go OUT whenever we want i hate being cooped up so couldnt even work in a school or nursery and i love being my own boss. worst bit is being taken for granted which is my own fault im too soft . im so glad i went into it when i did though or think all the paperwork would have put me off lol but its getting easier haha x

[jibberjitz]

Dont tell me bad sides - I haven't started yet :panic: :laughing:

[haribo]

dont worry liz the good bits easily outweigh the bad -most of the time anyway :laughing: :laughing:

[georgie456]

Best thing: Watching the children change and grow, when they all play beautifully without fighting!

Worst thing: Having to chase payment for work you have done! School run in the rain (just got back from one of those!)

What would I do differently? Have more backbone with difficult parents!

[Demonjill]

Thanks everyone for sharing.:thumbsup:

I cant wait until I start minding. Its good to hear good and bad things makes it realistic and not sugar coated.:D

[Lady Haha]

Best: Being able to spend so much time with my own son.

Worst: Having to spend so much time with my own son!:laughing:

[georgie456]

Best: Being able to spend so much time with my own son.

Worst: Having to spend so much time with my own son!:laughing:

:laughing: :laughing: Love it! :laughing: :laughing:

[nokidshere]

Best bits - The children! I adore them all and cant imagine a time when they aren't with me anymore. And being my own boss (well for 2yrs 11 months and 30 days of the year ;) )

Worst bits - school runs, the mess in my house, constant demands for food LOL

[Schnakes]

Best: Being able to spend so much time with my own son.

Worst: Having to spend so much time with my own son!

:magnificent:

Aint that the truth!!!

Sx

[Nix]

Best...sitting in the sunshine and being paid for it
Worst...having to tidy the house before 615 when bf gets in:eek:

[Marion7]

Dont tell me bad sides - I haven't started yet :panic: :laughing:

Don't worry February is the only bad bit for me so you've got a while to go!!:laughing:

[mushpea]

THE BEST the kids, seeing them grow and learn through things you do with them, being there to see my own kids school plays etc, doing what the kids want when we want, being my own boss and earning my own money

THE WORST paper work, snotty noses, and school runs in the rain althoug cant complain really cause we do get paid to get wait i suppose.

THINGS I WOULD CHANGE be more assertive from the start, stick to my policys and how i want to run my buisness, not be so willing to bend over backwards for everyone else!