A week ago, just after the last kid had left, JD would go out to check the letter box.  Among all the bills, supermarket catalogues, local newspapers he brought back in, we also found a hard A4 envelope.  I left it all on the kitchen table, didn’t think much about it until that night when I sat down to check all the mail.

Just as well I haven’t ripped the big A4 envelope apart in all four corners, because in there was a little surprise.

A surprise that came in a reward, a reward that made me realised “It has all  been worth it”.  An encouragement for myself that I must have done something right.  And I can proudly say now maybe I don’t suck so much in running my own family daycare and looking after 4-5 little children everyday by myself. 

It was a certificate to say I have been nominated in the category of “Childcare Worker of the Year”.  I was like a little school girl proudly showing off my certificate to my husband, the same kind of satisfaction we received as a kid when we were the student of the year or some sort, though I was never. 

But I was definitely doing the “punch in the air” move!

Then, I also realised, without the parents, I would not have received this special certificate.  So I have been fortunate to have parents of the children I look after to nominate me…. it was very nice and encouraging. 

So 10 months into this career change, it has been a great effort and I hope it stays that way.