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I know what you are saying...it does get very wearing on even the most patient person. I started daycare up 2 1/2 years ago (unregistered for over a year) and went into it with a very positive attitude, very calm and mellow and the past year I feel that I have become very short tempered, and less tollerant on the kids behaviors. I don't like being this way but wow, it's different when you are around all these kids all day long (and my own 24-7) vs. getting away at a job or just a little time away and coming back to them. I don't think some people understand what it is like or why I get so uptight at times because if I do get some time away (which seems to be rare lately), I do come back with a revived attitude and more tolerant of the kids.
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what also helps me is I have two providers who live in my neighborhood and we try to get together a few times a week and let the kids play and chat. We often vent to each other and it does help me out alot. The one women has been doing daycare for 20 years and the last two weeks she took vacation and then her mom died last week so she is still off and boy do I miss her I think thats why I have been so down lately I need my pick me up and its nice to know that I'm not the only one feeling this way at the end of the summer I get at the end of my ropeComment
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Why? Why are your kids forced to socialize, let alone be in the same room as the daycare kids? That's likely your problem.
My kids are homeschooled so they are here the whole daycare day and if they chose they don't have to spend a single second with a dckid in view. I like it that way.
I think your kids need THEIR home back. THEIR space. You know? Try to set things up so the daycare is in one part of the home. Serve two lunches - one for the daycare kids and then when the dckids go down for nap serve lunch and eat with YOUR kids only.
Having a seperate daycare space really, really helps in this situation.
YOUR kids should never feel that THEY are at work or they become resentful. And really..what kid wouldn't??Comment
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Yeah, I get that, really I do. But there are still ways, I am sure, that she can minimize forced time within the daycare for her kids. You just have to get inventive. Small things like making the bedrooms and bedroom floors/area completely off limits to daycare kids. Or making the basement off limits and just for family use etc etc.Comment
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I have to agree here. And I'm curious to know how a home daycare would not allow for your own child's personal bedroom space. A child's bedroom should be just that, the child's bedroom. That way if the child does not feel like being social with the DC kids then they can go into the bedroom. I would keep that space dedicated to only for my own children unless DC kids were invited in (and everyone was invited in not just one or some of the DC kids). Have the DC area in the living room area or spare bedroom/space. This is how it works here. My set-up is arranged so that all of my DC furniture is lightweight and can be easily moved and my house looks like ... well, my house, when I have company over. Things just get moved into the garage.Comment
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I think we all get to that point at times, where we wish we could find another career, or just be at home with our own children and not work at all. It is tough sometimes.
What I have found that helps me through these times is networking with other providers, attending workshops and conferences that address specific situations I am dealing with in my program, exercising - which is a HUGE stress reliever for me, and sometimes, just getting away for the evening with my husband or a friend helps. Also, I get out of the house for a full day every weekend. We go hiking or bike riding or to the lake, etc. as a family....away from the house so I don't have to feel like I am at work during my precious time off, and my own children get away from it too.
big hugs, I know it's hard, but make sure you nurture yourself, so you can continue to nurture your own children as well as the DCK.
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My4SSGirlsNY: is it possible for you to let the 9 year old go? Seems that has been a significant addition to the stress you AND you older children are feeling. Perhaps that would be the most logical solution to that dilemma?Comment
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During the interview process, I used to explain the NEED for providers to take time off from time to time. I would explain that caring for multiple children (of varying ages) for 10-16 hours a day is very draining, even on the most patient person. So I would explain that vacation time is meant to "revitalize" me so that I do not hit burn out and so I can give my all to the children each and every day. So MY vacation time is not just for ME, but also for THEM. Most people found this explanation enlightening. Especially when I tell them that a burnt out provider is at risk of making mistakes, and that I want to give them 100% everyday.Comment
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I have walked in your shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I find helpful is I have a person that can come in on certain days. She has all of her background checks, CPR certified and trustworthy. She basically ran my day care for me when I was pregnant and on bed rest.
If you can put out and add on craigslist.com and screen possible candidates this may help a little bit and allow you to have more family time.
Of course everything comes at a price but I find it so worth being able to spend time with my own 3 instead of making them part of the head count.Comment
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