Love my job but....

[JCrakers]

The only thing I hate about childminding is that I dont know any other childminders
Usually I get on with the day but every so often it gets me down.
When I first started childminding I went along to a childminding group every week but I think I sat with the wrong people. They were all double my age and moaned a lot..lol..so I stopped going after 6m...now I dont want to go back there.

I managed to get in contact with a childminder down the road wo was more my age but she has recently become pregnant so not continuing with childminding for a while.
Anyone else find that it can be a very lonely job.

[Nikki125]

Im in the same boat....dont suposse you live anywhere near me. I have 3 under 5's mindees everyday and we do all the normal activities, park, library soft play etc but i do everything on my own and would love to meet another childminder in the area. Our local childminder group has shut down so before i started minding so never had one to go to. I just dont know how to go about meeting other childminders.

[appleblossom]

Nikki, I've sent you a message.

[Ripeberry]

The only thing I hate about childminding is that I dont know any other childminders
Usually I get on with the day but every so often it gets me down.
When I first started childminding I went along to a childminding group every week but I think I sat with the wrong people. They were all double my age and moaned a lot..lol..so I stopped going after 6m...now I dont want to go back there.

I managed to get in contact with a childminder down the road wo was more my age but she has recently become pregnant so not continuing with childminding for a while.
Anyone else find that it can be a very lonely job.

Are there any other CM groups near you? Some groups are more welcoming than others. It's all trial and error. Hope you find a good group

[JCrakers]

no, no more groups just the one. It also runs a vacancy list which I am on but I never get any enquiries through it because they take all the jobs for themselves and dont pass them on to minders who dont go to the group.

Nikki, hope you get to meet some other childminders soon, I know how you feel

[blue bear]

Have you tried toddlers groups, soft play, rhyme time in the library, messy play at the sports centre, sure start centres that sort of thing as you might find other minders attend these but not the childminder group, our childminder group is not very popular but still lots of minders attending other groups.

[kel1983]

I found it really hard work at my local childminding group. Everyone seemed to have their wn little clicks.

My mum came to join me childminding last august and ever since its been lovely. We go out together have another person to talk to and moan to. Somedays we go out and do our own things.

[kats]

I think i must be strange because i actually like to do things on my own!! when i first started minding i got friendly with a few minders who live locally but it always seemed more of a get together for the adults rather than the children (if you know what i mean) i enjoy doing things with my mindees my own way

[SYLVIA]

I think i must be strange because i actually like to do things on my own!! when i first started minding i got friendly with a few minders who live locally but it always seemed more of a get together for the adults rather than the children (if you know what i mean) i enjoy doing things with my mindees my own way

Same here. I go out with another CM during hols most times, but I have great fun when I go on m own. I feel I get more involved with the children when its just me

[carol cameron]

As someone who really values my local childminders group , I am sad to hear that people are not made welcome at other groups. I have made some good friends over the years and both myself and my minded children have gained a lot from going to the group over the years.

For those who don't go to groups, Do you ever meet other childminders at training sessions that you could suggest meeting up with ?

Regarding vacancies, we do tend to ask our group members first if they have vacancies if an enquiry comes through. It means that we have an awareness of what the parent may require and I find it's a lot nicer to say 'Sorry , I haven't any vacancies but I can pass your enquiry on at the childminder's group' to a parent. Especially as I am aware of who the childminder is, rather than a name on a list.I have found that parents like the idea of their child socialising with othar adults as well as children too.

Good luck with finding another group that feels right for you. Hopefully there is one out there.

[hello kitty]

I find it very lonely too but today (fanfare) I made a new friend at the park. she's actually a nanny but is about my age with her own children similar ages to mine, 15 and 18. We've exchanged phone numbers so we can arrange to meet up again.

[breezy]

It can be lonely, I'm lucky I have a childminder friend, but also enjoy my own company.
Try toddler groups and the like, or ask on here, any adult company helps, not just childminders!!!
Good luck

[VeggieSausage]

why not go back to the group and try and talk to other people than the ones before....

[Twinkles]

Do try the groups again.

I meet up with 4/5 other minders every day and work with DH ( also a minder ) I'd hate to be on my own every day.

BTW not sure age has anything at all to do with it. One of the minders I meet up with is 19 and one is 24 , I'm 51 ! ( the others are old coots like me )
It doesn't stop us enjoying each others company and I feel enhances all of our settings.

[The Juggler]

i couldn't do this job without the small group of minder friends I have. I love to have a day or two with just me and the mindees but always have a natter at school but I could NOT do that every day.

When I went through a period of not having anyone, I went to a lot of library songtime etc, I never really talked to anyone but it felt good to be with other adults.

Ask your local DO or children centre manager if there is a support cm near you that you can talk to or meet up with hon.

[JCrakers]

Thanks everyone.

I do go to toddlers 3 times a week and a reading group and do talk to mums but as time goes on their kids grow up and they leave. Also I have two older children and their own children are toddlers so it would be nice every once in a while to have something in common with people I talk to.

I do enjoy my own company and I am fine 90 percent of the time it's just the other 10 percent that feels it would be nice to know a few minders to go to the park with etc. instead of going alone.

[The Juggler]

is there anyone on here you could meet up with hon? It took me quite a bit of perseverance to make friends with the group I am with now. they are all quite reserved and were of the opinion that I probably didn't want to spend any time with them other than passing the time of day. I began to believe the same of them but I'm glad I kept trying as now we are really good friends and socialise outside of work for our "works nights out" together