My business partner and I have been working together for two years, but separately, in separate kitchens. We have recently merged and have a licensed kitchen in her basement. Problem: five, yes, 5 kids between us. We can't get any work done. Kitchen is still new, kids are excited, then they want to get into fridge all day, then end up fighting. Hers are ages 4,5 and 10. Mine are ages 2 and 9. Big gaps there. Spend day picking up messes, yelling for kids to take shoes off, etc. Older girls are great and even like to help. The 4,5 and 2 year olds are going to be the death of our business!!!
My 2 year old goes to daycare 2-3 days per week and hers stay at home and have never been in any type of daycare and would not acclamate well at this stage of their lives. Everyone is adjusting to new routine and it is not going smoothly. We are considering hiring a "sitter" to come to the house 1-2 days per week to watch all kids.
Any and all comments, suggestions and ideas are so very welcome!
We love what we do, which is custom-order, larger, fondant, 3-d and detailed cakes, and do not want to give up our dream, but our dream is quickly becoming a nightmare!!!
Please help us keep it together!
fondantfrenzy Regular Member
Joined: Feb 16, 2008
Posts: 174
Posted:
Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:56 pm
one word....Nanny!
it's worth the investment and peace of mind you ca check on them any time!
auntginn Forum Addict
Joined: May 31, 2007
Posts: 585
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Birthday: May 04 Gallery Supporter Member
Posted:
Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:06 pm
You poor thing.......
But now why are you procrastinating? For your own piece of mind, do yourselves a favor and get the help. I would even suggest away from the kitchen. It will be hard enough on the kids to try to adapt when they will know mommy is close by.
maryjsgirl Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 03, 2007
Posts: 595
Location: Indiana
Posted:
Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:13 pm
Are you doing enough business so that your profit won't be ate up by the expense of daycare/babysitting?
Texas_Rose Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 26, 2008
Posts: 892
Location: San Antonio, TX
Get a sitter...a college student who's out for the summer, or even a pair of high school students (because there are so many kids to keep track of). You can probably find a sitter pretty easily on Craigslist, or advertise looking for one there. A mom with one kid who could bring her child with her might be a good solution, if you wanted someone who wasn't too expensive and had experience with their own child.
You could have the sitter watch the kids at your home, while you and the other mom work in the kitchen at her home...the older kids will be able to keep an eye out and make sure nothing odd is happening with the sitter.
If you can afford it, go with the sitter. I don't like to be one of "those" people, but your kids aren't supposed to be in the kitchen anyway while any baking is going on. Chances are they will become quite bored with the whole process before long. Maybe when school starts up again things will run more smoothly. Consider putting them in a Mother's Day Out program through a church nearby. There are plenty of those in TN!!
I have a 2 yr old and a 1 yr old. I am looking at hiring a Mothers Helper (aka high schooler) to watch the kids and keep them entertained. Get them juice and snacks....change diapers. All while I'm in the next room. I can get work done and she can make a little extra money on the side.
All great advice. I think we can swing the sitter in-house for a few days per week. That may be our best option. As for the nanny.... financially, we're just not there yet.
Thank you all for the wonderful opinions and please, any other words of wisdom, are more than welcome. We need input from anyone who has survived!!
BrandisBaked Forum Fanatic
Joined: Dec 09, 2005
Posts: 1284
Posted:
Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:03 am
I have 5 children - very close in age, and when they were younger, I didn't have the problems you are having.
Obviously, since the children aren't cooperating, the first option would be to hire a sitter. The second option is putting up a baby gate to keep them out of the basement (I'm assuming it has an entrance inside, not outside) and provide some activities for them to do upstairs (movie and popcorn, let them ice and decorate cookies or cupcakes, coloring books/crayons, etc.) I recommend starting them out on a routine when you don't actually have work to do. Just set them up with an activity and leave the room - but stay close by to monitor the situation and see how they behave. It might take a few of these "training sessions" to keep the kids out of your hair - but it's necessary for your business, and for their safety as well - 5 kids running around a kitchen? Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.
The children will only be as cooperative as you train them to be Ever watch those super nanny shows?
I really appreciate everyone who took the time to help me with my dilema. I am taking notes and ready to give the the "old college try."
Keep your fingers crossed and the ideas coming!
k8memphis Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 21, 2005
Posts: 994
Posted:
Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:27 pm
I'm just glad I survived and now my kids are grown up, for the most part. But what part of TN are you in? I'm in West TN.
littlecake Forum Fanatic
Joined: Sep 18, 2006
Posts: 1593
Location: the fine line between genuis and insanity
Birthday: Nov 21
Posted:
Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:55 pm
Bless your heart, i remember those days...it's tough.
The only choice you have is to hire a sitter.
And I think since you are working at her place, I'd have the sitter and the kids at your place, or you still won't be able to get anything done, it's just the price of doing business.....not really much of an overhead really, compared to others you would have if you had to rent a storefront.
Mike1394 Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 948
Location: Michigan
Posted:
Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:22 am
Got any rope?
Mike
cocorum21 Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 04, 2006
Posts: 807
Birthday: Jan 30
Posted:
Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:34 am
or duct tape?
Sitter seems like the way to go. I only have one and I can't get anything done while he's home, can't imagine 5 running around!
Doug Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Jun 28, 2005
Posts: 7881
Posted:
Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:48 am
pay the 9 & 10 year olds to watch the other three.
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I only have one and I can't get anything done while he's home, can't imagine 5 running around!