My sister in law wants me to open a home day care center with her. I am am somewhat leary about this even though she is really excited because I have worked in a day care for more than 5 years and I know how challenging it can be at times. Her idea is --easy money--- but in my thinking it will be a lot of work. Don't know...still thinking about it. The problem is that if I worked with her and because she is family I would find it harder to tell her when I need a day off.
2006-06-28 11:22:46 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I really like her as a person but I fear I will end up doing the "work" end of the deal because I'm almost 30 and she's 21.
2006-06-28 11:30:16 · update #1
It is usually a bad idea. When you have a problem with a co-worker you can leave it at work. When its family, you bring it home with you.
2006-06-28 11:40:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 12⤊ 2⤋
From my experience, it depends on whether or not the people involved have the same goals, expectations etc. I worked with my father for 5 years. Never again.
On the other hand, my mother's family has owned a small inn in S.E. Switzerland for 100+ years. In that case, however, the person moving into the ownership of the hotel (currently my uncle) grew up in the hotel, and started working there at 13 or 14.
Families are still made up of individuals, and even if you to get along just ducky at the family 4th o' July barbegue, doesn't mean it will work in business.
If your sis in law is thinking nothing but easy money, I would say no.
2006-06-28 11:34:04 · answer #2 · answered by Manfred Panning 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are absolutely right. Working with family can be dicey - especially in a loosey-goosey arrangement like this, where it doesn't sound like there is a direct chain of command. Family businesses can work, but only if each member has a strictly designated work area. Otherwise, as you have intuited, you can get personal cross-over, which can really poison the workplace.
It sounds as though she needs you more than you need her, as you are the one with experience and she's looking at it as 'easy money' -- which you and I both know is not true.
As far as being able to get a day off when you need it, that shouldn't be a problem no matter who you work for, as long as you have a legitimate reason.
If you do go ahead, make sure you and you SIL sit down and draw up a proper business plan and agree on who is going to be in charge of what.
Hope it works out for you.
2006-06-28 11:33:05 · answer #3 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is really a choice you should make, but if you do not have an open relationship to start there will be problems. Most family or friend business ventures fail for several reasons. The top three are:
1. No communication. One expects the other to already know what they are feeling.
2. Unwillingness to mutually agree or disagree.
3. Women tend to be more emotional and unable to separate personal and professional. Our disagreements in professional roles we seem to carry over into our personal roles. If you two can overcome these obstacles and you become more open, may be you will have a chance. But I have found that to be up front with family is best. They need to know what to expect and you should encourage discussions of each others expectations of one another.
I wish you luck and hope this helps!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-06-28 11:41:29 · answer #4 · answered by NEED 2 KNOW 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think for some people it would be just fine for relatives to work together, however, you all ready stated you would have a hard time telling her you want a day off so it is fair to assume that you would not feel comfortable talking money, the care to give, or even the activities to be planned. I say tell her it sounds great but you are not ready to do it. If you know you would have a hard time speaking your mind with her it would be a very difficult experience for both of you ending in disaster.
2006-06-28 11:30:54 · answer #5 · answered by tarows_sorrow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about the etiquette side of things, but from a practical standpoint, money and family don't mix. Very few people can separate their personal and professional lives. If she ever was to push for something that you knew was bad for the business and you refused, it is very possible that she'd carry it into "family life." Not to mention how many times relations seem to think that it's okay to do legal/financial business without a contract cuz "we're family; it'll all work out."
Working together would be just fine, but your sister-in-law is looking to start a business with you. I wouldn't do it, especially since you seem to already have other reservations.
Any which way you decide, good luck! Child care providers are wonderful people.
2006-06-28 11:28:52 · answer #6 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the kind of relationship you and your sister-in-law have. You mentioned that you may end up doing most of the work. Have you encountered a situation in which you ended up picking up the slack because your sister-in-law didn't carry her own weight? As for the days you'll need off, you should discuss that in advance. It sounds like this day care would be a partnership so days off and vacations are something that you'll both need to agree upon.
2006-06-28 11:36:43 · answer #7 · answered by Mimi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's ok to work together, but I wouldn't want to start a business with a relative just because of the money thing. You could end up fighting over money if things don't work out as well as you expected. Personally, I wouldn't really want to work with family because they would drive me crazy.
2006-06-28 11:29:14 · answer #8 · answered by FastEddie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a sticky situation. I would say to follow your intuitions about it. If your gut says it isn't going to be a good thing....respect that & go find a great job elsewhere. If you do choose to give it a go, I would recommend putting every possible detail down on paper in a written agreement. Treat it like you are going into business with a total stranger that you aren't sure you can trust. It will help to cover you when issues do arise. If it is to be a business...treat it as such.
2006-06-28 11:59:02 · answer #9 · answered by K. Aurora A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is something you are interested in and that is your only hang up DO IT! Just have a game plan before hand. This way you both go into expecting the same thing. Go over every aspect of the business and how you will handle things like finances , time off, ect.
2006-06-28 11:30:23 · answer #10 · answered by Nichole 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's OK IF you can seperate work and buisness and only if you can do that. If not you are doomed to fail... I am a little concerned she believes it will be easy money, owning your own buisness is a lot harder than working for someone else.... just some food for thought.
2006-06-28 11:27:08 · answer #11 · answered by mdjohnsonusc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋