I get paid to play! What a gig!!

As I stated in "Fork in the Road", I opted to make a career change. I had no formal education. I had small children at home. I could have seen my reality as a dilemma. I chose to see an opportunity for creativity.

I knew:

• I wanted more time with my children.
• I needed (and wanted) to contribute to the family finances.
• The highlight of my IT career was making a difference through empowerment

These facts brought me to the conclusion that an in home daycare would meet my and my family's needs. Our home was set up well for a day care. The 400 square foot family room opened up to a massive backyard. Heaven!

I passionately began building a premier day care. Within a year, I was running at full capacity (12 children) and had a waiting list. I contribute the initial success of the day care to a supportive husband and my mentor. I was fortunate to have a friend who owned a well established preschool. This wonderful woman took me under her wings and taught me things that would have taken years to learn on my own. She also referred new clients to me.

The knowledge I gained from this incredible friend and the precociousness of my daughters made me realize that there is a world of ways that infants and toddlers can be stimulated. I began Montessori trained and certified and incorporated many Montessori activities into the day care.

It is amazing to watch twelve children ranging from six weeks to three years master their worlds. These children thrived. We read. We cooked. We painted. We did gymnastics. We practiced "writing". We sang. We danced. The list goes on.

Parents were blown away when they would come to pick up their child and be greeted with "Gung Hay Fat Choy!" Yes, we had multi-cultural lessons thanks to a grant from FIRST5LA. I was so thankful that my first attempt at grant writing was a success. This grant paid for dolls, books, instruments, and food from various countries. Parents, friends and I were impressed with the children's ability to recognize differences between types of music, dress and foods. I still remember showing off for the parents. I would ask a child to count to 10 in Japanese. With no hesitation, this was done. I would respond with, "Okay, now count in Swahili". Boom, the child was counting in Swahili. Imagine that a three year old can distinguish language so easily... all he or she needs is exposure.

We were extended family to the day care children and they were extended family to us. Holidays were celebrated as part of the program. Entire families would join in. Grandparents, older siblings, aunts and uncles. Celebrations designed for 12 children turned into gatherings of 75 to 80 people. This really spoke volumes about the bonding that took place within the daycare.

When I reflect back on this business, I think of the times parents and I spent time together discussing the need for building a solid foundation in their children's lives. Together, we mapped out a path and set sail together. When it came time for the children to move onto preschool, they were well prepared. From my perspective, watching them walk out of my front door for the last time was like watching a ship sailing away from the shore. I knew their journey was just beginning and I felt honored to help prepare them for this journey.

Several parents suggested that I write a parenting book. I would have loved to do so. Unfortunately, providing a quality program took a minimum of 60 hours a week. I prepared lessons, bought fresh food and prepared nutritious meals. I spent a great deal of time interacting with the children in group and individual settings. I wrote monthly newsletters. My staff created journals for each child. We updated these journals on a monthly basis. My staff made picture CDs so that the parents enjoyed seeing what their children did throughout the month.

This was my life for 14 years. The work was often fun.... I got paid to play! The work was often very challenging. When all is said and done, I don't know who influence whom most. These children and their families made such an impact on my and my daughters' lives. What a worthwhile career!!