So what does one write about in a blog that they don't mind the entire world has access to reading?  Unless you are in Ohio, you probably don't care about my weather.  Although it's very strange tonight.  Temps rising to the mid and upper 50's, severe thunderstorm watches, then a sudden drop at midnight, an inch of snow and only 13 degrees by sunrise.  Little extreme don't ya think?  I do !  I could always write about my daycare but I do that all day long - a long, long day I might add.  It's funny but it seems as though daycare providers can't complain about their jobs because if they do it's viewed as us not liking our jobs or the kids.  Parents complain to us about their jobs but could you imagine if we complained to them about ours?  We probably wouldn't have any kids.  Though, as any seasoned provider will tell you, daycare is a hard job.  Burnout is high, especially right now in the middle of winter when we are stuck inside most of the time with children who are bouncing off the walls.  We have a lot of patience, yes we do!  I can't help but sit here this evening and dream about where I want to go on vacation this summer.  Someplace warm and relaxing of course.  Then there is the matter of money to finance that vacation.................. sigh.  I don't get paid for my vacations.  Some providers do, some don't.  I used to take a week's paid vacation and give the parent's a week where they could go on vacation and not pay their daycare fee.  But I figure that balanced each other out so I stopped that.  Now my general rule is if they (parents) don't come to daycare, they pay anyway.  And if I close they don't pay.  Except for my paid holidays.  I've just updated my handbook to include 5 paid personal/sick days.  Most parents get paid sick days, paid vacations, and many more benefits with their jobs.  Like health care.  I deserve this.  I can be a better provider if I take care of me.  Parents will always complain, and I'll just smile and say I deserve this.  My job is important, I'm important. 

It's still cold out............... We went to the library for StoryTime today despite the cold, the kids look forward to it so much.  At least the sun was out which made it not quite so bad getting in and out of the van. 

Only 8 degrees currently in NE Ohio, with wind chills below zero.  Brrrrrrr!