As was mentioned(and maybe rightfully so) in another topic, we sound like a bunch of complainers who hate our job and dcks. Sooo, what do you LOVE about what you do???

Dcd paid me last week because dcm forgot to drop off the check. He overpaid me because he said I deserved it. I felt so appreciated.

Dcf gave me a generous gift card to HD to help with my backyard this summer, very very cool and appreciated!

5 yo dcg has the biggest brightest smile with huge gorgeous dimples and will randomly grab me in a hug. I always tell her thank you, she's a sweetie. She's always bringing in pictures she's made for me.

2 yo dcg giggles like nobody I've ever heard, her laughter and devilish ways(yes, she loves to tease her older sister) make me smile inside all day long.

When 3 yo dcg became potty-trained, we all celebrated. And she was so proud. She has difficulty sometimes with certain things.

Many of the dcks are always telling me 'you make the best lunches'.

The 3 yo blondie who has a giant mop of curls, I'm going to miss her so much when she starts prek. Watching her run outside is such a gift with her hair bouncing all over the place. When Santa came to dc last year, everybody else was afraid of sitting on his lap. But not her, she jumped right up there and started yacking away.

We are now potty-training just turned 3 yo dcg and Tuesday she went potty twice, dcm said she was sooo proud.

Just watching these kids play together, learn together, grow together is such a wonderful thing. Yes, some days I tear my hair out, want to yell and scream and run away, but I've been doing this over 30 years and no signs of stopping.

By the way, that's only a partial list. I love the kids I have now and the dcps too. So come on everybody, share the good stuff!!!

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How true! Sometimes you only see/share the negative.

The dcg who runs to me the second she's out of the car, and jumps into my arms in a vice grip. She's FT, and it's everyday. I LOVE it! Makes my day!

The dcg I sent to K sent me a letter, and the parent included a teacher note saying how well prepared she was for K. AWW!

The parent who was soooo overly generous on teacher appreciation day, and the card alone--- made me cry!

The kids who say big words they learned here. One showed his grandparent our science center at pick up yesterday and said "He is an insectivore, that means he only eats insects. I am an omnivore because I eat plants and animals." Grandpa's face-

When a dcm brings me a latte.

When a dcm gets that even though I have fewer kids, it's still not an easy day. She said to another dcd "I wouldn't call teaching and interacting with 5 small children easy!" Thank you for getting it, dcm!

Lots more, but kids are going to arrive, and I want that BIG HUG!

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One of my bigger ones told me that he loved me the other day. "But I love my mom more."

He has only been here for 5 weeks and came from a not so great sitter situation. His behaviour and attitude have improved so much since starting. He has a special place in my heart already

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I have an awesome group of parents !

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I love being silly with my munchkins and hearing them giggle.

I love giving them open ended art experiences and seeing where their little hands and minds take them.

I love watching my own children (who are SA) be loving, fun, and compassionate with the smaller children.

I love being my own boss. Being able to set my own days, hours, and policies (within what the market will bear!)

I love the look of pride on a child's face when they finally get it. (Whatever it is.)

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I can't complain I have it pretty good.

I have 4 asst who are all amazing. they show up each day to work hard and I always feel like I can never give them back enough.

the group of kids I have are truly some of the most well behaved children I have and both as individuals and friends they all get along very well, listen well and show respect to everyone and everything in it.

I was gone in a class on Monday and my asst sent me a video of one of our littles saying my name for the first time. Yup I full on cried my eyes out.

These kids are the reason I get up every day and stay motivated to want to be better, do better and give more.

Yeah sure the parents kick me down at times, but I don't let that get in my way to make a great day every day for these kids.

just like YELP, people come to a place to share their experiences, both good and bad.

That was my good......I can think of more, but duties call....yup diaper duties....lol

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I love this post OP!!! I do complain a lot. Lol.

I went to dcg's first b day party last week and her whole family knew everything about me and my family. I have watched her older siblings and have a special place in my heart for them all. All of the extended family members had stories to tell me that showed just how much these lil girls love me.

One dcg's mom had surgery 2 weeks ago so different family members were doing drop offs and pick ups. Dcm text me last night to say that she was so excited to see me todat for the first time in weeks. As was I. I am amazed at how she parents under such stressful circumstances sometimes.

My mom and assistant help me out when I need to do things for my own children. All the dcks call my mom Nana and she sometimes makes exvuses to come visit I think just because she misses the kids. My assistant is moving this week and the other day she let one dcg sleep on her for a whole nap time. She said she was going to miss her so bad she just wanted that extra time with her. I am so lucky to have these two women in my life who love me and all the kids so much.

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When a dcm randomly brings me a frappe.

When dcg 21mo flings her arms around me and grins so very big.

When dcm became unemployed for a few weeks, she took odd jobs and sold things on Craigslist to make sure she kept her child's spot here. Made me feel warm and fuzzy.

NAP TIME

Seeing how excited the kids get when I set up for a messy art project.

Seeing dcms melt all over when they receive said art projects to take home.

Going to training classes. Because I'm a nerd.

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AND, when dcks call me Chichi because they can't say Trixie. They also call my own kids by their nicknames, Nanna, Bub, Syd, Riah.

They rename our pets. My son named the guinea pig La'peedus, but dcg couldn't say that. So now his name is la'peeeee!! Literally everyone calls him that now. I won't repeat what they call the gecko, who's name is Alabaster.

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Today is my last day until Tuesday....I can set my own vacation days and get paid

Today, had a parent bring me in a home-made wreath for the new daycare door

I love how the kids work things out together.....I am a big fan of teamwork and choices/consequences...i.e. had a child fall back in his chair today because he was leaning back and the others reminded him "that's what happens when you don't follow the rules".

I like the imagination/creation in ALL kids....i.e. creating rockets out of linking blocks or just plain paper, creating zoos in the block center out of materials,...I am amazed every day!

AND the learning is happening continuously.....learning through play is priceless....All I have to do is facilitate it....which I do monthly through themes and setup changes.

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I have a 3 yo dcg who doesn't always play well, whether by herself or others. This week I was watching her play by herself, building a corral and farmyard for some horses she'd found. Normally not a big deal for kids right? But her usual form of play involves taking others' toys, agitating others, or crying/screaming about others. But to have her happily sit and play nicely, creating a scene, it made me happy that she's showing progress.
We've all been working with her on speech and physical movement. Last summer she would pile tree cookies up, and jump off with 2 feet. She was pretty proud when she built her stack 7 high. I celebrated with her.

Her mom actually texted me and invited me for a cook-out on Mother's Day. I almost cried.

Good things happen everyday in daycare, I just don't always think to be grateful, same as in life outside daycare.

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DCG just turned one spent a week with grandma while mom was out of town. She just started walking but the day they came back mom set her down and she ran to me with open arms excited to be back.
For the most part I have great, giving, caring parents.
DCM brought my family dinner once a week for 8 weeks after I had my daughter prematurely and an emergency C-section.
DCB 5 cried when I closed for 3 months after that same birth.
DCM brought me roses, movie tickets, and a gift certificate for dinner after a hard week when I had to term a child for aggressiveness.
3/4 of my daycare kids say thank you as they walk out the door everyday.
DCM offered to take dd10 to gymnastics with her girls every week because she knows that there is no way I could do it with my hours.
Snuggles
When the light clicks and a child figures out how something works and I got to witness it. especially when they look up and grin ear to ear so proud of themselves.
I love working with kids, I am closing, but it is due to having a 4th child and not making enough and not having the steady income I need to plan for my future. Not so much the kids, more the parents that push limits and drive me crazy.
This job is not bad it can be stressful but at the end of the day I feel accomplished in having given kids a safe, fun, loving place for kids to spend their days.

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My kiddos played "See who can give Miss Amy the biggest hug" the other day. It was so great!

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This is hilarious. The dck's have named my Yorkie chicken dog. Her name is Kaiah (ki-ah) so I don't know where that came from but calling her that sends them into fits of laughter.

My good today was all of my littles cleaning up like superstars without being asked.
All my kiddos all napping blissfully.
I have a lovely group of parents.

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I like this thread


Dcb #1: He has been with me for 3 1/2 years . He tells me the most hilarious stories. At times he has a knack for embarrassing all the adults in his life, but I can't help but laugh about it! He has a great heart and always tells me gifts he wants to get his mom (which are actually really great ideas....I pass them onto his dad unless it's something we can do together here). His parents are so laid back and easy to get along with! They always follow every policy (even picking up 30 minutes early virtually everyday).

Dcb #2: He has been with me almost 2 years. He is one of the most curious children I have ever seen! He loves to be involved in everything and is eager to try new things. He is my best eater AND grower. This kid will be so tall when he's grown up! I've had some good and bad days with the parents, but they always come around. They help when they can and always are very complimentary.

Dcb #3: We have had our ups and downs but I have to say this kid is growing on me....big time (why is it the most challenging kiddos always end up as my favorites??). He has a heart of gold and wants to always help me and hug everyone. I LOVE how at home he always tells his parents that he wants to tell me something and/or can't wait to see me . His parents are always very eager to help in anyway they can, and they have helped tremendously!

Dcg #4: I have had her for 2 solid years and on and off the year before that. I had her older brother for 2 years before she started full time. She is the BEST helper hands down and is one of the smartest children I've ever had come through here. Her mom is my favorite person....also has one of the most giving hearts and apologizes way too much (sometimes for things she should not feel bad about ).

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-Dcb is a handful, but still my fave and he comes in and hugs me, tells me he loves me, and says, "I'm so glad to be here," almost every time he is here.
-I LOVE the cute things these kids say.
-Some days I feel like I'm not making any difference, but then I hear them repeat something I've taught them in conversation with their friends and I realize they are taking it in even when I don't realize it.
-This job is changing me for the better and I'm learning a lot. I used to be very judgmental and be quick to see all the things the other parents were doing wrong, but I'm starting to see that each family comes from a different background and brings their own unique gifts to the group. I don't want to be judged by my kids' bad days so I try not to judge them for their kids' bad days either.
-I've learned that if I look for the positive in a child I will always find it!
-Right now, I have super great hours!!! Typically 9-3:30 or once a week until 5:00.

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I think I really needed this post, I've been feeling a bit down lately.

I am so gratefully that this is an option for me and I am able to stay home with my two children. They are so sweet and I hated working and leaving my son with strangers. Now I don't have to! I get to chase them around all day

I love that even though ds has been crazy and rotten lately, the silly faces he makes crack me up! Even though he's in time out, lol. I tried so hard not to laugh today but he got me!

I am so fortunate to have great families that appreciate what I do for their kids. One dcm (also my sis) is constantly telling me how happy she is with how I appreciate her kids the same way she does. Also, she loves showing off her kids and is pretty thrilled that they truly are ahead of the curve, although I can't say that's all me but she thinks it is =P
The other dcm, she can see when I'm having a rough day and offers a word of encouragement as she quickly escorts her kids. She gets it. I love 'em but take 'em home! lol

I also love that I get to care for my niece and nephew on a daily basis and grow that relationship with them. They really are smart kids, and they love me so much - probably more than I know.

And finally my two dcb (also brothers). We had a rocky beginning but when dcb5 asked why I didn't hug him as much as my own son, my heart melted. I felt so bad and so loved all at once. I love these two snugglers, who are kind of too old to carry around blankets but that's why it's sweet. And then there's his bro, dcb7 who I am finding out has the gift of gab and loves to talk to ME, about EVERYTHING. lol. And he hopes he never has to go to another daycare because they might not know what a butter burrito is. I hope to have a long relationship with them and their family.

Thanks for this post, it was fun to read what others had to say and helped me drag myself out of this dark hole I've been digging for myself.

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