I Don't Think I Can Keep Doing This!!!

[lolaland]

With all the: constant diaper changing (6 boys in diapers) ; food cooking; challenging behaviors; nap refusals ; potty training refusals; parent's lack of comment sense; long hours ; constant cleaning up; toy picking; hand washing; food scraping; shoes coat on; shoes coat off with tantrum; tantrums at drop off at 630 am; tantrums at pick up 5 pm; tantrums in between ; screams and running inside; don't like eating everything ... I think I'm DONE with this career!!!! After 4 years I don't think I can keep burning my self out this way anymore!! Not a good day and really feeling tired of "feeling tired " all the time!!

[Country Kids]

Has it always been this way or just lately?

That is a ton of little ones in diapers and all boys-wow!

Just take a deep breath and start over. Maybe work on one thing at a time. PT one boy unstead of all of them. Only have a few toys out.

What do you mean by shoe scraping? Maybe just have them wear rain boots to play outside.

Been there, done that, doing it now! I know how you feel and if you need to talk feel free to pm me.

[cheerfuldom]

can you let a few kids go? that many in diapers is sure to wear any person out. I would imagine you have a lot of 1 and 2 year olds which means lots of tantrums. perhaps you need to cut back for now.....

[lolaland]

From time to time I do feel drained... but never as bad as with this group! All between the ages of 19 months and 2 years old... one boy is 3 years old but is developmentaly a 2 year old special need. I said "food scraping" from the floor after meals

[Country Kids]

From time to time I do feel drained... but never as bad as with this group! All between the ages of 19 months and 2 years old... one boy is 3 years old but is developmentaly a 2 year old special need. I said "food scraping" from the floor after meals

Sorry my brain was reading faster then my eyes and flipping words around!

[SunshineMama]

I feel for you! 6 boys can be very active, and 6 in diapers 2 and under is sure to drive anyone mad.

2 options: cut some and start over, or wait it out for another 6-12 months
(can you last that long)?

Eventually, you can try to potty train them all at once. Maybe even get some of those potty targets, or a goldfish cracker or cheerio, put it in the potty, and make a game out of it. I have found that once you get the leaders potty trained, the others will want to follow. Once all are potty trained that will help a lot!

The other thing I do is eat on the deck outside on nice days. I hate the food scraping after all meals and snacks!

Otherwise, try to get them to run around outside for as long as possible in the morning, and wear them out. On days that are too cold for that, I blast kids music and make big pillow piles for them to climb, jump, and make forts out of. The more physical activity I can get them to do the better.

[My3cents]

I have the same little group!!!

Make changes to make life easier on yourself.

First- Take care of you.

next- realize that your job is not a sit down, do nothing job. Your busy and on demand all day. I like that this job keeps me active.

then- organize, prep, be ready for the day

and- take care of you.

My two's are not ready to be potty trained. Parents are not ready. It is more of a commitment with the parents/providers then it is the kids.

I just wanted to say I hear you, but weigh out the positives before throwing in the towel. When I feel this way I need to stop and take a look at what doing daycare allows me to with my down time and own children. I also need to stop and take care of my needs-

Best- tons of post on the subject of burn out. I also find coming here and venting and sharing helps ease my stress-

[My3cents]

With all the: constant diaper changing (6 boys in diapers) ; food cooking; challenging behaviors; nap refusals ; potty training refusals; parent's lack of comment sense; long hours ; constant cleaning up; toy picking; hand washing; food scraping; shoes coat on; shoes coat off with tantrum; tantrums at drop off at 630 am; tantrums at pick up 5 pm; tantrums in between ; screams and running inside; don't like eating everything ... I think I'm DONE with this career!!!! After 4 years I don't think I can keep burning my self out this way anymore!! Not a good day and really feeling tired of "feeling tired " all the time!!

I wanted to come back to this again

simplify, make your meals simple, don't give them so much at a time so they can't throw it on the floor.

Wipes- get these in bulk and use them for everything

tantrums- well it is the age, but don't tolerate it. Time away, time out, cozy chair

get good sleep and relax when the kids are resting

go with the day.

I wish you luck, it stinks when you feel this way.

Have to admit, it is hard coming off of four days off. For not just the kids but myself--- I love them but it is hard work! Your pulled at so many angles.

[renodeb]

Im so sorry that your feeling this way. I was wondering if you take regular vacations? I take two weeks a year one week in the summer and one week in the winter (usually around xmas) I have found that, that helps alot. Also I have in my contract that I take all the school holidays off (vetrans days etc) I find that to be really helpful to. Thats a lot of little ones in diapers! I agree with others, the more excersise they can get the better. It will wear them out a bit and hopefully take the edge off. I find that relaxing some at naptime is helpful to. I know there is cleaning etc to do but try and make some time. Naptime is golden time at my house! I hope this helps. {{{{hugs}}}}.
Debbie

[lolaland]

Thank you soooo much for all your support... lovethis Usually, reading the “burn out” threads makes me feel “all better”... and if not, resting 20 minutes by my self alone after the kids go home would be enough for me to pull my self together... but not today! The difficult age group, my lack of a “back bone” in too many situations with these families, and not taking care of my needs for so long has pushed me too far this time. So tomorrow I'm posting on my board - “This daycare will be closed for vacation the entire week of Christmas... December 24th – 28th!” Hopefully will be enough time to take care of my personal pending matters, take a break from daycare business and “grow a back bone”??!. ::

[renodeb]

I struggle with the back bone thing to. Good for you, I really hope you come back from your week off a brandnew women!.
Debbie

[LaLa1923]

Thank you soooo much for all your support... lovethis Usually, reading the “burn out” threads makes me feel “all better”... and if not, resting 20 minutes by my self alone after the kids go home would be enough for me to pull my self together... but not today! The difficult age group, my lack of a “back bone” in too many situations with these families, and not taking care of my needs for so long has pushed me too far this time. So tomorrow I'm posting on my board - “This daycare will be closed for vacation the entire week of Christmas... December 24th – 28th!” Hopefully will be enough time to take care of my personal pending matters, take a break from daycare business and “grow a back bone”??!. ::

I think a break is just what you need!!

[My3cents]

I struggle with the back bone thing to. Good for you, I really hope you come back from your week off a brandnew women!.
Debbie

I think we all struggle with this from time to time. Even the seasoned providers-

We are pulled in so many directions above and beyond the normal pulls of our own families. It gets to be draining.

I highly suggest taking one day a week and making it about you. Seeing the fruit of your labors and having something to look forward to each week helps us to appreciate ourselves. I think sometimes women get lost in the shuffle of life especially in this profession. I know for myself after being in the home all week and all day. I need to get out. Even if it is just to take a walk. On a really bad day, I open the door and let myself take in a few breaths of fresh air.

Backbone comes with experience too. The more you do it the better you become. Best-

[MarinaVanessa]

6 infants and toddlers is a lot to take on. I agree that a break or minimizing your numbers is exactly what you need. Have you tried really observing the group dynamic ... I mean really sitting back and just observing. You may find that one child can sometimes lead the challenging behavior making the others go wild or teach the others challenging behavior. If you cut down I would cut the child that is most difficult to tend to (most active, most challenging, most needs reminders etc) and see how that goes. Good luck!

[vaughn40]

Boy I wish I had those kids being that business is super slow right now. My suggestion to you is to hire an assistance for a few hours a week, maybe 4 hours in the morning. I know some providers who never take vacations. If I couldn't take a vacation I seriously wouldn't be able to do this. If you don't all ready, include some personal days in your contract. Go to bed early so that you are getting 7-8 hours in and take a shower before the kids arrive. I really need to take my own advice on the sleep thing but I have done it before and its amazing what a difference it makes. Hope things get better for you.