Hello!

Maybe I'm just venting, but I am looking for opinions/advice on resigning as an in-home daycare provider.

I am facing the possibility of closing my daycare to provide care for an elderly family member.  I have done in-home daycare for about 4 1/2 years and I have 2 children (ages 2 1/2 and 1 1/2) who have been with me since they were 2 months old, as well as a new child who just started who is 7 weeks old.  I love these kids and their parents dearly, but this is a good change for me and for my family.

I should also mention that I am a college student (I have gone back to finish my degree in Special Education), so I would have eventually needed to close and/or find something else to do so that I can attend the classes that my university offers only during the day.  Also, I have 2 children of my own who are in school and this would give me the ability to take them to school every day and to be more available to them when they need me.  It's actually a great opportunity, but I worry about what is going to happen when I tell my daycare parents that I need to give up this job.

One of the girls I sit for is the granddaughter of a friend.  Another is the niece of our neighbor.  I worry about damaging these relationships, but I also feel like I have to do what's best for my family.

Any thoughts or opinions?