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I have a question for those of you who have been doing childcare for years and years. How do you avoid burn out?! I LOVE doing what I do. I put everything I have into it, and miss the children any day we're closed (holidays, for example). BUT when it comes to low ratio days when there's only need for one person to work... or when the other person cannot come in for some reason, I start feeling burned out SO quickly. I'm just an assistant & also do the preschool part, so I cannot even imagine how I would feel if I owned my own daycare and had to do this alone EVERY day. Right now I'm feeling pretty burned out... and yet when I consider getting another job, it depresses me too much to think I wouldn't be with children every day. So what's the problem? If I don't even want to think about having another job outside of childcare, but yet lately I dread working every single day (even with SOO few children since several are out this summer and some graduated preschool). I just had a long weekend break, too (I had Sat-Tuesday off, due to memorial day weekend), but still don't feel happy doing this where I am right now.... Advice, anyone, on getting over the burned out feeling?
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Networking with other providers.....is there a child care association where you're located?
making sure to make time for myself, every day....working out, window shopping, kayaking, a bubble bath, laying out on the beach with a beer and my dogs, taking my dogs to the lake/park/etc., day trips on the weekend, camping......whatever strikes my fancy at the moment and gets me away from home/work
making sure I find time every day to at least talk to a friend or family member
once a month I meet up with friends for dinner and chit chat
school....I LOVE college and the group I am with ( a cohort that is together the whole two years for our Master's degree.....we have become VERY close) and learning new things is inspiring and encouraging.
writing......sometimes it helps to just write it all down, wad it up and throw it away.
music.....turn the music up LOUD and dance and sing while I clean!
Whatever it is, you have to find what is right for you. Think about the things you have enjoyed since childhood and start doing them again. PLAY!!!! PLAY!!!! PLAY!!!! -
Thank you for that list! Any ideas how to make it through the day when you DO have children in your care, and you just really don't have your heart in it? I feel really bad for the children because I'm not giving them my everything. They pick up on it when an adult doesn't have their heart in what they're doing. They feed off of us and our enthusiasm for things...
everything that comes up during the day, I feel like I just can't do it anymore... (the arguing, playing around at table and then spilling milk, tatteling, any routine activity: restroom breaks, story time, music and movement, wash hands for lunch/snack, even free play times!). BUT, of course, you mention any other job I could do, and my immediate thought is "NO Thank you!! I prefer to work with children!" Doesn't make sense does it?
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I'm in survival mode right now. I term my dcb in 2 weeks the end of june he's gone. Majorly burnt out on the screaming. What helps me is painting or a hands on activity with my daughter with him in my lap. I wonder if I can do that for 12 hours a day for the next month for a smidge of quiet and sanity.
When he's gone for the weekend I need quiet down time with no interaction for 3-4 hours a day. Otherwise I'm testy and would probably stroke out from stress. When I can't seem to get through a day I break the hour into 15 minutes and reward myself with locking myself in the bathroom to drown out the screaming at the end of the hour for a few. During naps I sit on my porch for a few to get out of the tense atmosphere.
Doesn't help much but I haven't had a stroke yet so I'm doing alright.Comment
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What I do is try to make my day new and different. The best thing I have found is to get little nit nacks for the kids for whatever theme we are doing for that week and I look forward to giving it to them. You can also get new books every week at the library, which they really look forward to reading. That excitement keeps me looking forward to my job.
I also sit down to a good book in the playroom or outside while they are having free play, which allows me to monitor them, yet cure any boredom I might otherwise have, hence helping to sway any future burnout.
Lastly, Try not to over schedule activities for the kids (it increases stress on you!) and get as much daycare-related stuff done during daycare hours (allowing you to have true relaxation during your "off" hours).Comment
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I totally agree, finding or starting up your own daycare group. It is great help for going over contracts, questions, comments on anyone has. It's great to have, and to go over things!!!Comment
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