I know I haven't been on much lately, but good ol' tax season is upon me and we all know paper work is my evil downfall. On a good note though I give up, I quit, I refuse to go on anymore, I shall not do another tax year. I figure if I can hire a lawn care specialist, and a landscaper, scheduled maintenance on both air conditioner and heater, have my vents cleaned out yearly (as is recommended) do yearly maintenance on all my electronics 5 computers, 2 tablets, 7 tv's, 1 dishwasher, 2 freezers, 2 refrigerators, a stove and microwave then by darn I can make my life even simpler and give up my nemesis. I just have to tie up 2015 and she gets all of 2016 and everything from there on after. YEAH!!!!!!!!!.
I have already given everyone a copy of their tax letters with my tax ID number for you to claim your daycare expense. If you misplace it no worries I have copies.
Although I have not been posting on my blog I do still keep my ear to the ground for news or articles and I came across a few I think all of you will like. http://www.upworthy.com/one-little-change-in-how-you-talk-to-your-kids-can-help-them-be-more-successful?c=ufb1 This article goes on to tell you how to talk to your young children in a way that encourages children to continue learning rather than thinking they have finished learning. It let's the child know they worked hard learning _____ , I bet you feel really proud right now? Do you want to look for another or do another ________ now?
This is empowering the child. I loved this article.
I was at the bank the other day and the ladies and gentlemen know me well there so they know I do child care and are always asking me what new things I have bought or what fun things I am doing with the children, or if Mel has walked into "the mess" again. Well there was a lady behind me and she was quite upset that we were all joking about my daycare and spending when she and her husband spend more on childcare than they do for their house payment. She went on to say that they live paycheck to paycheck and pray no disaster strikes and I stand there laughing at the money I make.
Now I could have taken quite offence but I could really see she was upset and genuinely so emotional. So since my banking needs were done I pulled out 1 of my business cards and I handed it to her. I told her I can laugh and joke about my childcare because as my husband, who is retired Navy, goes to work every day and tells me, you know I'm only working to support your very expensive hobby right? I gave her a hug and told her call me and remind me of this meeting, because I do not advertise. I told her I'm sure I know I could help her or find other ways to help. I work with families because I believe every child deserves quality childcare regardless of the ability to pay, their race, gender, religion, basically any reason.
This got me to thinking about all the families out there struggling. I was one of those families so long ago. But the reality is is that childcare is a VERY expensive business, and for the daycare to just break even the rates have to be ridiculously high. I am rather fortunate to have my husband to pick up "the slack in my income", because if you looked at my income to hours worked to expenditures, not including toys, I run very much in the negative. I am fortunate to also qualify for grants but writing up grants and the work going into them usually runs about 100 hours each, my grant days are almost over now. I might be able to get 1 grant a year but from here on out it's a lottery for them since I am so highly qualified. Bottom line we need more providers BUT we need Congress to acknowledge that there is a need for more help both for the families and for the providers. For the families they need the help in paying for the care, for the providers the training. My 386 hours of logged in training not to mention all the books on child development, conferences I attend and do not turn in for hours logged (because I am never in need of more hours logged) or articles I read both in a magazine and on the internet. I also see classes be offered in the community I think I may like and I attend. All this costs money and it adds up fast. For me, well I have always been an over-achiever and always will be but some providers this is their job, this is what they do to pay their bills and to do all the "extra" just isn't possible. We need Congress to step up and see that Early Childcare Education is vitally important and needs to be addressed.
http://www.prairiebizmag.com/event/article/id/26156/?platform=hootsuite
I came across this article after my encounter at the bank and I though this really is an epidemic problem that needs a cure.
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