I Can't Stop Crying!

[Symphony]

All the threads about babies who are crying, but over here it is me! I am just having a really *really* hard time the last few days, and I need to get it all out I guess.

I have been doing daycare for 10 years and I love it, 9 years in one town and now one year in this town. I love the kids so much it hurts my heart! The problem is it is a whole new world here compared to where I was before. The pay is not even in the same ballpark. Town A I had 6 children, I made $4000/mo and I had a waiting list at all times. I STILL have parents calling me and sending me letters about how much they appreciated me and wish I was still there. They were courteous, always on time, told me how much I was worth, etc etc. Town B I have 7 children, I make about 1200/mo and I haven't received an inquiry for care in 6 months. My parents are early every morning, late every night. They bring their sick kids, lie to me about symptoms, won't pick them up when I call. I maybe get a thank you once a week from one parent. I am constantly asked for "a drop in rate" and every payment I am handed includes a complaint of how expensive I am.

I just can't believe I am being treated like this. I love what I do, I really do. Where we lived before, the fact that I have degrees in child development meant something and was valuable. The parents would go without (not that many had to) in order to provide their kids with the best care. Here, they are driving their brand new cars, going on cruises, weekends to Vegas, and complaining about my $80 a week.

It makes me feel like dirt Thanks for reading, I just needed to vent to people who could understand.