So I'm just curious how many of you gals homeschool and also do childcare? How many kids do you homeschool.. what grades are they in? How many kids do you watch..their ages? How often? Is it difficult? Ok!....that's a lot of questions...I'm done. Thanks all!

Right now, I'm watching a soon-to-be-two little boy. (He'll be 2 on Thursday. Same day my oldest turns 19.) Anyway, we're taking care of him mainly on Sundays...until his mom can get us switched over as his primary care through an agency that pays for his care. We will then be taking care of him 4-5 days weekly.

I've been homeschooling 12 years. I currently homeschool my 16.5yo dd and 14yo ds who live with me. We live in a small, 2 bdrm apt, so I don't think I would do more than 1 or 2 dc.

Hopefully, someone else can give you a little better idea of what to expect.

I babysit a 5 month old baby 4 days a week. She comes at 10:00a.m. so I am able to 'do' some 'school' before she arrives. After she comes she can sit on my lap and we can continue to do whatever we were doing. We are relaxed and only doing second grade, so it doesn't take long before we are done. (And we are not "behind" ;) I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old that I do no lessons with. It isn't because I don't have the time. I just choose to wait until we can do Pre-K/K in a few months and then zip into first grade level. My little kids learn a lot through everyday life.

I don't think it is hard. Then again, I am the type that has an easy time adding a new baby to the family. I just keep on going while holding the baby. I joke that I can almost perform open heart surgery while holding a baby.

I recommend you charge no less than what a good day care would charge. You're service is worth more because you will give the child more attention than a day care would.

Be tough about taking payments. If they don't pay for this week they can't come next week. I used to work in day care and people with government subsities who only had to pay $5 a week would not pay it! The $5 a week included formula! Come on! This just goes to show that if people think they can get away with not paying, they will take advantage. If you say, "Pay what you can. I understand if you can't pay this week." They'll be buying new shoes, eating out, and making long distance phone calls on their cell phones while you are just as broke as you ever were.

This post was edited on Nov 06, 2009 07:15 PM

Ive done daycare in my home for 20yrs. Right now i dont have many. Just 2 part time ages 2 and 4mths. I am currently hsing my 15th old dd . She pretty much works independently but it was difficult when they were young. However i prob over extended myself ands watched to many. I also waatch a ps girl on monday evenings.. I agree with pp on pymt. Either have them pay on mondays in advance for that week or make sure they pay. You will get burned if not careful. (people with a lot of littles can give you good advice im sure). HTH!