I am a registered chilminder since august of two kids, in fact my neighbours. They are 1.5 and 2.5 years old and very cute, lovely kids, really. We never did a real contract with the parents because the mother is a young teacher and she's waiting for a post, so, instead of a full time, i have the kids a few hours per day. Which is not enough talking about a salary, they said full time at the beginning, i know it's not her fault, but if she told me at the beginning, i'll have their kids only 50 hours/months, then i'd said no. We didn't know at this moment differents laws will change and she won't have a full time too this year. I already told them, i need a job, at least 3/4 time and to be sure i won't stop taking care of their kids, they proposed me more hours even if she's not working, she wants to "keep" me just in case the academy call her at some point during the year. I know it's not easy to find a childminder, i know this problem too. But my husband told me now it's enough, i can't stay at home for nearly nothing, ok, their kids are fine with me, but we need a second salary .....
So i told the mother this morning i can't continue .... (this week, she's working 8 hours in total, you see what i will win then ....) i explained her i need a real salary and to work more than 8 hours a week, i'm still young, i need to do something .... she started to cry and all, she said to her kids immediately, they will have to change of chilminder, without explaining them better, the older one didn't understand what was happening, he was just saying no ! the younger was crying ....
I think she will find someone else if she really wants, it's not easy for me too, i don't know what i'm gonna do for the moment, i have different people to meet, to write to etc .... and my kids, who will look after them if my hours at work are not the same as the school ?? but i know even if i have to pay someone for my kids too, i'll win more money than i'd win with my actual job, and i need it. And i think i need to "live", i'm not really happy at home all the day.
It's a disaster for them, and me, i'm lost ..... is it selfish ? did i do something so bad ? in fact it's all about money, but what can i do ? we all need it.