Difficult Children and Difficult Parents: Constructions by Child Care Providers

As more mothers of young children work, concerns about child care have gained prominence. Analyses of this topic typically address availability, safety, and costs of care, or the impact of care on children's “outcomes.” When providers' input is included, it is generally used as an assessment tool to reinforce the researcher's conceptual framework. This study addresses the issue of nonparental child care by allowing the providers to tell their story of caregiving. We have conducted a series of hour-long interviews with 12 in-home child care providers. Their narratives show patterned perceptions of both the children and children's parents. Our analysis focuses on providers' constructions of difficult children and parents. Greater understanding of this aspect of care work may help to improve the quality of the work experience for providers, which may in turn contribute to a more positive care environment experienced by children.