Day 2 with the toddler An early start!

Well I was right the day started early at 06.30 to be precise. Toddler was yelling loudly and no amount of dummies or a bottle of milk would convince her to go back to sleep so OH got her up and dressed. He gets up early anyway so no real hardship but then I couldn't get back asleep as the dog got jealous and started whining and barking in the kitchen. Then daughter decided to tell me all about her excursion to a waterfall on messenger that she is going on today in Morocco. At 8 am I really didn't care just wanted my phone to stop beeping lol. The main problem is that toddler usually wakes early then goes in her mum's bed until much later - having a snooze, watching TV, and playing with toys. Unfortunately for us and her we don't want her in our bed so we have a problem. I eventually managed to sleep for another hour before getting up so not too bad really. This afternoon we went to soft play; a nice local one just for kids under 5 years. I used to visit it frequently when I was a childminder as it seemed quite safe and welcoming for the toddlers.

Fun at soft play - over she goes!

I gave up childminding 3 years ago as I was working stupid hours and not getting enough money from it. Parents who pay for childcare don't realise the amount of paperwork needed for setting and the children's files because of OFSTED, so my real hourly rate was very, very low. And that is not even counting the necessary paperwork and bookkeeping for the IR as childminders are self employed. My health was not too good, and at 59 I decided to call it a day and enjoy a laid back lifestyle, having worked full time since I was 15. Sometimes I do think I would like more outside interests as I seem to be very home based and tied up helping daughter with the toddler. I think reading back over this blog has highlighted this for me. I have done the odd market research interview - but that is not a regular thing, although it was fun at the time.

We are supposed to be going to the caravan for 10 days later next month and my DIL was going to look after the toddler on the days that daughter works. Unfortunately she has had a nasty fall and fractured her hand. If we both go now, OH and myself, then that will leave daughter without childcare - one of us will have to stay for the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday unless she can find someone else or book holiday at work. Life is never simple is it?

Bye for now All the best x