How Could I Say No?
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
September 1, 2019 10:30am CST
Someone told me that once I retired I would be busier than when I was working. And people would find "things" for me to do for them.
Well, that proved true most recently. My niece messaged me asking if I would be interested in watching my great-nieces before and after school, plus snow days and holidays, and perhaps when school is on vacation. I didn't hesitate by answering yes.
My nieces are in the 5th grade and are delightful young ladies. My little one will enjoy having the 2 of them here to spend time with them. I am looking forward to doing this.
Because she has a subsidy, I am going to go through the process of becoming a family daycare provider. It is my understanding that it isn't a big process. That way I will be able to be paid by the state for their care.
Having the girls here to play with Little Miss will be a win win for me as well. I am finding it not easy keeping her occupied and entertained on the days she is home from daycare. The girls are helpful and will enjoy being with us.
I have told my niece that she can bring them starting this Tuesday, after the holiday. We would work out the details later on. Can't wait!
46 people like this
40 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
They settled in shortly after they arrived. Things seemed to be okay.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
@TheHorse I do enjoy working with children. They can bring a smile to the darkest days.
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
4 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly Hello how have you been there.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Sep 19
@amadeo enjoying my retirement. We are heading to NH next week and hoping to get one day at the beach.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
I was looking forward to spending more time with them. We lost touch for awhile and the girls' memories of me faded.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317089)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
4 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly I'm sorry their memories faded. I hope you're making new ones.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
It's not like it was going to be a forever thing. The girls are 11 and soon will not need to have adult supervision.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160674)
• United States
2 Sep 19
I often found that more kids were easier than less kids, up to a point. This sounds great as they are just old enough for little miss to look up to.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
I was hoping that they would compliment one another and lessen the anxiety that Little Miss sometimes feels.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Sep 19
I am not sure I will go through the process of paperwork considering that the girls are no longer going to be here.
I am actually a bit relieved that I don't need to be available that early in the morning. LOL
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
10 Sep 19
@Ithink Yeah, I've decided not to follow through with the rigamaroll of of all.
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
9 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly Well if you arent watching them there is no need to do the paperwork. I know I dont want to do things early anymore. Tess and Schooling is enough in the morning. Im not really a morning person but working on it.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223028)
• Chile
2 Sep 19
If you like children, becoming a family daycare provider will be a good job while you are in the house.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
The only time they would have been here all day was during snow days and vacations.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
@TheHorse they do make you smile!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
3 Sep 19
Sounds like a plan! And the girls can keep you occupied :)
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
They can keep you occupied and hopefully I can go about my day while they play too.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Sep 19
@infatuatedbby unfortunately the first day was the last day. The girls really are too old to be around a 4 year old. They wanted to be around children their own age.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
5 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly If they play together well then you will be able to do your own thing while watching them also :)
1 person likes this
@smileyhema (4606)
• United States
10 Sep 19
I hope you have a great time together and yes, it's kind of difficult to say 'No' once we are retired from work. As long as you all have a great time, that's still fine. Happy time with girls. 
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
10 Sep 19
I was a bit relieved when they decided to go back to their other sitter. I had stipulated that they couldn't use their tablets when here. My husband and I restrict the use of it for our granddaughter to about once a month. And, when she saw them playing on theirs she automatically thought she could do the same.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
12 Sep 19
@smileyhema we have board games, puzzles, coloring books, and many other items to keep her occupied.
She will have plenty of time when she is older to have technology.
1 person likes this
@smileyhema (4606)
• United States
11 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly Oh that’s better too.
I get your point. Even my husband and I restrict screen-time for our daughter. But when some guests come home, they happen to give their mobile to my kid. So, this spoils the condition that we’d built on her. She takes everything for granted later.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
6 Sep 19
Well I know this didn't work out but I am sure something else will.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Sep 19
I have another job lined up for the beginning of the new year. It is only about 13 hours a week, which is doable with my schedule.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Sep 19
@BelleStarr I knew money would be tight for a while, but wow.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
6 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly That sounds good and it will help to ease the financial adjustment that retirement brings with it,
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82799)
• United States
2 Sep 19
Sounds like a good opportunity and Little Miss will certainly enjoy having your nieces around.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
They seemed to get along pretty good. But, it was clear that the age difference was going to be a problem.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Sep 19
@Marilynda1225 they decided that they would rather be at their old sitters where there are more kids their own age. So, we will only see them at social occasions.
@Marilynda1225 (82799)
• United States
5 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly I'm sure you nieces will adjust to having Little Miss around. It's just like having a younger sibling especially when there's an age difference
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
3 Sep 19
Sounds like a great solution all around. Are you sure the state will pay you for providing the daycare? I can see it if the families involved get said already then they could get help paying daycare but I'm not familiar with getting help from the state in that way. Doesn't mean I necessarily know and if you have them anyway it may be good to be certified so you can take in others that will pay.
You just may want to call and find out first. Otherwise they may have some rules you're not fond. I'm interested in hearing how this turns out, whether your state pays for this service or not.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
My daughter was going to provide care for Little Miss in my home while I worked. The state was going to pay her for her services.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
6 Sep 19
@MarshaMusselman I started by looking it up online. Also have someone that I have worked with when Little Miss was a foster child who helped out too.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
6 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly huh, I didn't know that was possible. I may have to check into that too because my daughter will need help next year.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
I am already crazy so not a problem there!
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18367)
• Orangeville, Ontario
4 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly Okay, so hope they don't drive you CRAZIER! 
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
@patgalca yeah, that isn't likely!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
1 Sep 19
that's wonderful, hon. 't least yer gonna get paid fer such. i'd ne'er that kind'a luck, lol. well, not 'ntirely true, some folks'd bring me orphaned calves to take care 'f'n lieu 'f payment 'greed 'pon.... more work 'n 'xpense.
will be good fer lil miss 'n the other lil girls. 'tis nice havin' kin grow'p like that.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
Proved to not be something that would be long term. The age difference played a factor.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
4 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly aw, how sad!
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
Love working with children. Tiring, but rewarding.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
If the task does not disrupt my life or anyone else in the household, I have no problem helping out.
1 person likes this
@Ghosthere2 (891)
• United States
2 Sep 19
I can't imagine doing more if I retired. I can't imagine ever retiring in.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
I had considered waiting another 5 years, but my arthritis told me no way.
@lazydaizee (6735)
• United Kingdom
2 Sep 19
I hope new enjoy your new retirement . It sounds like you are keeping busy and this is a good thing as we get older. Lots of retired people that I know tell me that they are so busy that they do not know how they used to have time to go to work. Spending time with family members is a good thing especially if you are able to help out younger members of the family.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Sep 19
Love being retired. I have time to do things that I enjoy now.
