Child Care

I love babysitting.  I love caring for babies and seeing them happy, healthy, and content.  I was born to do this.  As a little girl, all I wanted was to be a Mommy.   I started babysitting at 12 years old, had my first child at 19 and at 47 years am still surrounding myself with babies. It's what I do.

I have to admit I have OCD tendencies.  I love making my daily lists of what everyone has done so the parents have no question about their babies day.   Every problem has a solution and every day has a basic structure and I love this. I feel accomplished, rewarded, loved and busy.  I love being busy.  I took 6 months off after I sold my bookstore and thought I was going to lose my mind.

I do have routine hang ups.  I want you here when you say in the morning, I want pick-up at the time you stated unless I am told ahead of time.  I want consistency, even if you have a fluctuating schedule, but most of all I want to know what to expect.

I believe what a person eats or drinks is a huge part of what makes a person healthy or ill.  It might not show up right away, maybe even 10 years down the line, but the quality of the food and water is so important.  I buy primarily organic, grow some of our own food and try to only eat meats that are humanely raised and hormone free.  I limit sweets, cook from scratch the majority of the time and blah, blah, blah. 

We eat healthy over here and it shows.  Sickness is almost non-existent and when they do catch a little cold, it is over quickly.  These are little people who have almost no say in what we feed them, they are counting on us to keep them healthy.  I LOVE feeding them 5 or 6 servings of fruits and veggies and seeing them thrive.  I just love it.  I care.

I do other little things, too.  I abhor plastic use in the microwave, I don't use antibacterial hand soaps to mess up their little endocrine systems, there are childproof latches and plugs all over my house, gates on the stairs, everyone has their own wash cloth and changing area, we don't share cups, we all have our own sleeping area and we keep to a routine.

I  feel babies need exercise and outside play.  There's something to be said for Vitamin D and fresh air and the opportunity to run crazy.  I need it, too. And if they didn't have a jacket that day and it was chilly, it's OK, I have spares for them to use.

I even like the toys and equipment..  I think nothing of buying climbing toys for the backyard, riding toys, puzzles, stacking toys, new cups, plates, bibs, blankets, playpens, high chairs, bouncers, swings, you name it.  They want to be busy, too.

I potty train, kiss their owies, scold them when they are misbehaving, teach them how to use a cup and utensils, worry when they aren't feeling well or having trouble with something, give them hugs and kisses and tickles, sing and dance with them, fix their hair, wash their faces and even wash their clothes sometimes.

You know, I act like a Mom. I treat them like I would want my children treated if I were needing child care.  

And I love them.

My rates are comparable to day cares out there, it might be a little higher than some, a little lower than others, but it's a fair rate. I'll try to work with you if your hours aren't 9-5 Mon-Fri, but I charge what I charge.  And frankly, I am worth it.  Not only am I responsible, but I love what I do.  I honestly love it and it shows in their happiness.  And the joy these kids give me is immeasurable.  They fill my heart.

I guess that's all.  lol  Now I feel like an ad, without the whining at the end.