Sunday morning middle of vacation shouldn’t be thinking bout regulation. But I am. On January 16th, 2010, the new family child care regulations for MA family child care programs go into effect. Many providers and I attended an information session about the changes which was held at Wheelock College on the evening of December 16th. After a full work day, we arrived at 6:30 to a large lecture hall with a presenter and a powerpoint and a pile of packets to learn about all the ways we are meant to comply with the new regulations. It was not pleasant, except in the sharing of horror and doubt and humor amongst the providers. I felt fearful, mistrusted, powerless, insulted, outraged, angry, put down, disrespected, overwhelmed, disappointed, forced again to do things which I don’t believe are in the best in interest of children, families, or providers, many of which are logistically difficult or impossible, some which seem unnecessary, some which seem hurtful, others which seem to impinge upon essential freedoms and ways of being in the world.

Sadly, I wake up now each day since Christmas with small worries about work, filling out the audit forms from the Workers Compensation Insurer, sifting through the toys, books, equipment, and supplies that have accumulated in the day care, house, and basement, repairing and maintaining the house and day care, updating Food Program records, completing Food Program training, communicating with current and prospective families about plans for next year, and now, figuring out how to comply with all the new regulations requiring new training, procedures, documentation, supervision, record keeping. Today would be a fine day for attending to these things. Yesterday I had hoped to get going, but never did, son’s birthday, holiday recovery, rest, a bit of reading and writing took over my first day of vacation after Christmas agenda. Today, wish me luck, or next weekend. Hate the thought of it, but for this year at least, must bite the bullet and face the reality of my vacation/regulation duality. What a Sunday morning musing. Sorry.