Re:For providers with children

Unfortunately, I have no answer for you. Other than , to lie. I know that you would hate to do that. You obviously love your child enough to ask this question, so I imagine you would hate to lie to him/her. Good luck and I hope that some good soul supplies you with a better answer than mine.
  There are a few providers that I know that do have children. One will only see clients when the children are in school. The other tell her kid that she is going to work. I think she told her kid that she works at a biomedical lab or something. Someplace a young child can't go. Again, good luck.

and work on people's taxes. (The know what I do during the day, Accounting, so I just tell them I make some extra money on the side.)

Shaye

Sometimes honesty isn't the best policy.

It's kind of like when someone wonders whether or not to confess cheating on a SO.  The confession may take a weight off your chest, but what will it do to the one who hears it?  Your seven-year-old may not really understand now, but later he will, and I suspect you'll regret having told him.

I don't think being a Provider or a Hobbyist makes you a bad person, but there is a stigma attached to it, and it's that stigma that will do the harm.

Sometimes all you can do with your "cross" is to bear it.  I'd make up a vague story about some job, and make it sound boring.  My two cents.

PC

Maybe a little white lie is the answer.  Something like you are meeting a friend or going on a date.
Arnold

Make sure you cover all the bases of what you are going to choose to say, be ready to answer all the questions about it that MIGHT possibly come up. Be prepared for this child to not only be asking NOW, but to be asking ten years from now also. Consultant is a good one, web designer, dancer, masseuse... I'm sure other folks can think of other great ideas also!

Hugs*
Nicole

Perhaps contacting a child psychologist may be appropriate.  Pay his/her fee, understand the issues involved in both the child's psychology and protecting him/her from the scorn of others (i.e. parents of his peers).

There has to be a very good answer to your question, I just don't know what it is. So many providers are Moms (even Grandmas!), you should get a lot of responses...

best wishes to you and your child.

That you are a social therapist, you help people overcome their mental and physcial handicaps.  Sometimes this involves simply letting those you see talk - about their problems.  Sometimes   you may have to administer a massage to ease their tension so they can deal with their problems.  You provide a valuable service to many people, you give some the courage to take needed steps in their lives.  You help others get over their fears.  You also instruct some to become better at loving their partners.   You build confidence.  You mend souls.

There are worse ways to earn a living.  Imagine if you were a lawyer or BMW saleman.

that way I don't have to lie.

Before when I was a stripper I told her I worked in a bar cocktailing. When she was old enough to understand what a stripper is, I told that truth. That was true.

I don't even try to explain being a dominatrix so I don't mention that part of my job. Luckily I also do FBSM and being a FBSM girl is easy since I'm also a massage therapist. She knows that because I had to go to school for six months to learn massage. So now, it's easy I'm a "massage therapist" That is true.

I am also a nursing student and of course she knows the truth about that. I think it's easier if you have something "real" you can say you do. Saying you're a "consultant" is ok I guess but kids talk and other kid's PARENTS will pick up on that right away especially if you don't look like a "business consultant". Kids are smart, observant and NOSY. Mine started getting incredibly nosy at that same age so be careful!

MM

Re:For providers with children

I'm a qualified Aromatherapist so my son is under the impression that I visit the homes of people that need a good relaxing massage which is partially true, I just don't mention the extra's I offer lol