Do You Feel

[Country Kids]

that your missing out on life being home all day long?

I'm not sure I'm even wording it correctly but I'm amazed on the few days I've had off or been off early how busy it is out in the world during the day. I always think why aren't all these people at work? This is during the work week. Then I love how I can get more done during the work week day then I can on the weekends. It takes me two full days to get my house back in order on the weekends but when I have had a day off and work on it, I have it in tip top shape in no time.

I think there are days though where I'm missing adult interaction. Also, I feel that from the time I get up till bedtime I'm just go, go, go. Today is the first day in awhile that all the dcks are sleeping and I'm totally able to have a little downtime.

Maybe just me but I'm hoping there may be others that feel this way. I do really like my job, there have just been some very hard weeks this year.

[cheerfuldom]

I absolutely agree with you. I have those same feelings and it it worse when you have three kids under five and one not sleeping thru the night. We have not had a date in 10 months because my youngest screams bloody murder for the babysitter

[Country Kids]

I absolutely agree with you. I have those same feelings and it it worse when you have three kids under five and one not sleeping thru the night. We have not had a date in 10 months because my youngest screams bloody murder for the babysitter

I definetly remember those days and I'm going to be very honest with you, for me they were much easier than now. My oldest is graduating and they go down from there till elementary school. I jokingly say I haven't slept in 19 years but sometimes I don't feel like I have because once everyone started sleeping through the night, middle school and high school hit where there are activities going on and you stay up waiting for them.

Then with having 4 everyone needs to be somewhere at sometime different than everyone else. Oh, to go back to the days before they started school would be wonderful. I didn't think it then but I so do now. Enjoy this time Country and I know how hard it is. If you ever need to talk please feel free to pm me, I would be happy to talk to you!

[saved4always]

I definitely feel that way. If my 2 best friends in my neighborhood did not also do childcare in their homes, I think I wouldn't have lasted as long as I have. We are able to be each other's co-workers. We do play dates one or 2 times a week, too. That is nice for me and the dck's because I only watch 3 kids. So, if I have a day when I just have 1 or 2 of them, they get to play with the kids my friends' watch. They get more friends and I get to talk to grown-ups.

[Mom&Provider]

Yes, sometimes!

I do miss having conversations with adults, but that's why I come on here or make some time during naps to call a friend or family member. I also wonder why places are so busy during the day....does no one work!?

BUT, then I also take a moment to consider the things I'm missing that I don't want...like someone else telling me what to do, the drive into work and having to drop my own babies off at a daycare to be looked after by someone else! Somehow when I consider these things, it makes what I feel I might be missing out on, not all that important anymore!

[wahmof3]

I definetly remember those days and I'm going to be very honest with you, for me they were much easier than now. My oldest is graduating and they go down from there till elementary school. I jokingly say I haven't slept in 19 years but sometimes I don't feel like I have because once everyone started sleeping through the night, middle school and high school hit where there are activities going on and you stay up waiting for them.

Then with having 4 everyone needs to be somewhere at sometime different than everyone else. Oh, to go back to the days before they started school would be wonderful. I didn't think it then but I so do now. Enjoy this time Country and I know how hard it is. If you ever need to talk please feel free to pm me, I would be happy to talk to you!

I am pretty much like you, one kiddo graduating this year, one in middle school, & one in elementary. So I feel your pain!!! Its always something
But top it off with a dh who works 2nd shift! So come evening activities I'm a single parent

[daycare123]

yes i really miss the adult interaction the most!

[bunnyslippers]

I definitely have these days, too. I sometimes will go several days without leaving the house. When I drive through town and see all the people out and about, I literally feel like I am watching them through a zoo cage or a fish bowl. It can be a very strange feeling! I do find that having an assistant, taking time to make a few phone calls, and planning time out helps. I have 2 of my own children unger age 5 and that certainly can feel confining and exhausting!

[Breezy]

I do yes all the time. And I get really down sometimes.

But then my DS got to take his first steps yesterday and I was there to see it and I remember that's why I do daycare!

[MrsB]

I definately feel the same way about the adult interaction. But this forum has helped considerably. Now for the go,go,go part, when I worked outside the home, I felt the same way. Always on the go. Right now the benefits of being here, out way the positives of working outside the home. I always am re-evaluating it though and if it changes, I'll go back to working away from home. I dont like feeling trapped or complacent.

[Country Kids]

I actually probably go, go, go now more then when I worked outside the home. There is really no downtime in my day-yesterday everyone actually slept!!! I'm always trying to keep the house up and everything to state standards, paperwork daily, and then everything else that comes with the territory.

[CheekyChick]

I work 50 hours per week, nights (cleaning, preparing, answering e-mails), weekends (cleaning, shopping, interviews, preparing, paperwork). It seems my life is CONSUMED with all things day care - 7 days a week.

When I am lucky enough to have a dentist appointment or have to run errands, it feels so good to get out in the real world. Although I love my job and my little ones, it does make coming home a bit harder.

[littlemommy]

I feel that way too. I just read an article this morning that was saying that child care providers and nursing home workers have a high depression rate. The reason was because there is so little appreciation and "thank-yous" for the workers. The kids are too young to be thankful and the elderly are often too sick.

Sometimes I wish my DCP's were more appreciative. Someone had a thread going about receiving tips. One time a mom brought me a coffee when she brought her kid early. That was AWESOME! Even a simple "thank you" at the end of the day is nice. Or when they appreciate a craft or picture their kid colored. That always makes me feel like I'm doing a good job.

I just keep reminding myself that my kids will only be this little once, and I'm so glad to be able to spend it with them. I'll also never be able to get a job that pays this well with 2 kids in daycare.