I am considering becoming a pc and I have 2 young children. What do you do with your children??? Do they shop with you? Do you arrange daycare?? Is it possible to take them with you and have them play or sleep in their playpen??? I'm just wondering what some of you do with your children. Thanks, Mariah
Nice thing about the PC business is that you are your own boss and have some freedom with your schedule. Most of my clients are somewhat flexable with times when I can cook and it allows me the option of care for my children. I do have one client that it ws no problem bring my daughters with me.. each client and situation is different. Don't let the fact that you have kids sway your decision to join this great field. Day cares are an excellent place to find clients by the way, dropping off once or twice a week, could lead to bigger things.
I cannot not fathom bringing little ones to a cooking date - the cooking is so intensive - often 2 or 3 things on the stove at once, etc. If childen need attention at critical moment - the food will suffer since the children come first! It sometimes takes me up to 4 trips to unload car of cooking equipment and groceries...what would you do with the kids while you're going in and out? PC'ing also requires intense focus - children can be such a distraction - I cant imagine being able to pull it off! I dont mean to discourage you but I think you will find that clients either will object - not wanting toddlers running around their house, maybe breaking stuff, getting fingerprints on their glasstop coffee table, etc(depending on age of kids) or will question your professionalism - example: if you were a self employed CPA would you take your kids to visit a client while you gather his tax info? Certainly, you should try cooking intensively like a p.c. does - maybe at a friends home you can practice on, with the kids in tow to see what it is like cooking in an environment that is not familiar to the children. Another idea would be to trade off with friends...maybe they keep your children 2 - 3 days a week while you are cheffing and you keep hers some days that you dont have jobs OR trade out your cooking services for babysitting. Good luck!
I agree. I can not imagine bringing my kids on a cooking date. I know how you feel as I have never had my kids in a daycare setting. I do bring my kids shopping and they are home with me while I do some prep. I use to take care of an elderly lady and do some light cleaning when Gabrielle was very young. A back pack was wonderful for keeping her contained and happy. One day when I was cleaning out the tub...she pushed up with her feet and fell head first into the tub! No harm done. I have cooked for a friend, and she would have me do all the cooking at home and then bring it to her. But as a rule you would not want to do that. I now trade with a girlfriend, I cook her a weeks worth of meals in exchange for child care. This works really well. (she pays for the costs of the food) And again I do this at home with the children underfoot or when we just get together for a visit. There are lots of ways to work your schedule around so your time away from the precious little ones is miminal. Best wishes
