As a daycare provider, I have now learned, you can not help every family even if your intentions are good. In response to Corona Virus and trying to assist a healthcare professional, I took on a contract I was not ready for and had no business agreeing to.

Upon first setting my daycare hours, I relied on partial intuition and flexibility for families with varying schedules. Sure, it would be great if every mother and/or father worked Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 but that is just not the way it is. The hours I set forth are what I am comfortable working in terms of my own schedule, sleep requirements and the needs of my almost three year old daughter, I was as flexible as possible when setting them. I am also a single person in-home daycare provider and thus do not have outside help at this time nor is it economically practical. l committed myself to overnight daycare and boy do I regret it. As a small-business owner it is important to follow your intuition. If that little voice inside of you is saying, “you’re not ready for this,” listen.

Needless to say, I politely told the family that I was not able to handle the overnight schedule and that it was in their best interests to find a local provider who is experienced in overnight care. Hazel and I are on a very healthy schedule and routine, paramount, we get at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night and rely on this for our well-being and ability to thrive mentally, emotionally, spiritually, professionally, etc. I can not emphasize how important a full-nights sleep is, I have read enough professional articles to understand that there is no compromise to this rule if good health and well-being are on your list of life goals.

When you attempt to bring on a family that has a different sleep schedule, it becomes chaotic for all involved. The kids will be missed and they were wonderful to have here for the short time they were enrolled. All good things to this family and I sincerely apologize for any hardships I may have caused.