Retirement?

[Laurel]

I am 62 and am thinking of retiring this year. However, I am torn.

My two provider friends are also retiring. One is married and her husband is also retiring. I am married and my husband would not be retiring yet and one is single and is retiring.

In some ways I want to and in some ways I don't. Help me decide!!!

Pros:

-Get rid of all the baby things in my house and have a regular house again.

-Get rid of occasional backaches from lifting.

-Be able to go to dr's appointments and such without a major hassle.

-Not working long hours (mine are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Cons:

-After a brief honeymoon period, , I'm thinking I might be bored outta my skull. I can hang out with my 2 friends but one is going to do a lot of traveling with her husband and the single one is still going to be watching her grandchild 3 days a week (I will watch mine 2 days a week). All 3 of us will still keep our one girl's night out a week though, for sure.

-Feeling a little guilty for not bringing in some money/contributing, etc. My husband doesn't seem to care but it kind of bothers me. I have considered another part time job but really don't have many marketable skills and would probably make more money watching a child or two. Plus who is going to hire a 62year old? I mean I could try but let's be realistic here, ahem....

I am also trying to think of some ways to do childcare part time. I have one child now that comes 3 days a week. I guess I could specialize in part-time maybe??? I think I really want some more free time and shorter hours more than anything. I did go down from watching 6 to now taking 3 although I have 4 now. Got suckered into one more, .

Aaacckkk, can't decide! Help!

Laurel

[Mike]

Sounds to me like part time is what you want. Go for that, then maybe in another year retire.

[Patches]

If you decide not to retire just yet, I think going to part time only would be a good option. Also, you might think about getting a part time job at a daycare center. They usually need floaters or breakers.

[Maria2013]

if you can afford the loss of income, I'd say go ahead and retire, there are plenty of things to do to kill boredom if one has money and timehappyface
.....but if you will suffer the loss of income, and already anticipate being bored, then I'll suggest cutting down on days more than number of children....anyway that's what I would do

good luck on your decision:hug:

[slorey]

What about doing a half day preschool program? That would solve all the problems you listed on your pros list, while still allowing you to contribute to the household. If there isn't a market for that type of care where you are, I think the best option would be to do part time all day care. Good luck in your decision!

[Play Care]

I never understood the whole "I'll be bored if I'm not working" school of thought. I would love to have "free" time to volunteer - at the library, schools, day care, hospital, etc. Take some classes - our local library is always offering something and the bonus is they are free (or a small donation) I know you watch your grand kids, I think it would be nice to just be grandma who babysits on occasion rather then "grandma daycare."
If you wanted to still watch some kids on occasion to get some cash, you could advertise as an occasional day sitter or maybe as a back up care provider.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

[JenNJ]

You could market yourself to families who have short days or two days a week. Be a boutique daycare!

[Evansmom]

I agree with slorey and JenNJ, just do part time if that's what you want to do. If you did a preschool you could have hours of MWF from 8-12 or 9-12 (serve snack but no lunch) and get rid of all the baby stuff since you'll have older kids. You'd have to have a curriculum tho, that's pretty easy to do in my opinion.

Or like JenNJ said, make your niche part time care only. It's hard for parents to find part time care as you know. There might be quite a few families who would jump at the chance to pay for part time only.

Personally though I'm looking forward to doing other things with my time when I'm finished raising kids. I have a fledgling meditation practice I'd love to work on, tons of books I'd like to read, hiking in the mountains we are moving to soon, volunteer work, learning new things maybe if you give yourself some time to think about it you'd find there are lots of things you want to explore too.

[Blackcat31]

Have you considered being a substitute?

Many area providers don't have back up or substitutes. Perhaps you could market yourself as a sub (you have ALL the training etc) for area providers.

If they all have your number you could have them book you in advance for whatever days/hours they need.

I bet providers in your area would love having a back up they can count on and one who really knows the ins and outs of running a child care on a daily basis.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Well, if you do retire......you're already in Florida. ::::
Actually, I'd like to summer in New England and winter in Florida. ::

[kathiemarie]

I never understood the whole "I'll be bored if I'm not working" school of thought. I would love to have "free" time to volunteer - at the library, schools, day care, hospital, etc. Take some classes - our local library is always offering something and the bonus is they are free (or a small donation) I know you watch your grand kids, I think it would be nice to just be grandma who babysits on occasion rather then "grandma daycare."
If you wanted to still watch some kids on occasion to get some cash, you could advertise as an occasional day sitter or maybe as a back up care provider.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

This or

Have you considered being a substitute?

Many area providers don't have back up or substitutes. Perhaps you could market yourself as a sub (you have ALL the training etc) for area providers.

If they all have your number you could have them book you in advance for whatever days/hours they need.

I bet providers in your area would love having a back up they can count on and one who really knows the ins and outs of running a child care on a daily basis.

This.

I'm only 47 and have been thinking of stopping daycare also but we still need my income, college to help with, weddings, travel. I'm thinking about going back to school to brush up on my accounting skills but I REALLY hate school. ugh!!! Good luck.

[Evansmom]

Have you considered being a substitute?

Many area providers don't have back up or substitutes. Perhaps you could market yourself as a sub (you have ALL the training etc) for area providers.

If they all have your number you could have them book you in advance for whatever days/hours they need.

I bet providers in your area would love having a back up they can count on and one who really knows the ins and outs of running a child care on a daily basis.

This is a really good idea BC, how does that work with regards to licensing do you know? Like say your state requires you to be licensed when watching 2 or more children but if you're a substitute, you wouldn't have a facility to have the state come license right? Or does it matter, if you're just a sub?

[Blackcat31]

This is a really good idea BC, how does that work with regards to licensing do you know? Like say your state requires you to be licensed when watching 2 or more children but if you're a substitute, you wouldn't have a facility to have the state come license right? Or does it matter, if you're just a sub?

To be a substitute provider in my state, you are not required to be licensed but you are required to have the trainings providers have. CPR, SIDS, shaken baby etc....

Also licensed providers in my state can only use a substitute a certain number of times per year. I think it's maybe 10 days.

They don't limit half days though.

[Evansmom]

Thank you BC, I'll have to look up requirements in CO where we are moving.

[spinnymarie]

Outside of subbing, another option would be emergency back up care - people call you when their own daycare is closed...
Not sure how that works with licensing though.