Decided To Close... Nervous And In Need Of Better Words...

[lolaland]

I wish you well:hug:

Thank you! Really in need of hugs... gave 3 letters so far... my heart is pounding!!! This is painfull! ... specially when all the 3 kids refused to leave the daycare today

[lolaland]

Update:

- All the 6 families expressed they are "devastated" with the news of my closing (I even had to deactivate my facebook account because it was too much for me to handle). One parent even offered to work a few hours for free in my daycare so I could take care of my own family demands/schedule...

- All families are very understanding about the reason I gave

- All families expressed their intention of using my daycare until the last day... I really hope they change their mind about this one meanwhile... now that I emotionally "checked out", my burnout felling is sinking inn even more. I'm so exhausted to the point I can't even feel happy/relived for making the decision to close.

Now I had to call my ex-assistant to stay for an hour with the kids so I could take a breath. I hardly slept last night, was harsh with my own daughter this morning when she spilled the cereal bowl with milk all over herself before leaving to school while I was trying to make french toasts to the daycare kids and answer parents at the same time... Can't wait for the “happy-felling-about-my-decision” to arrive... but I suspect that will only happen when all kids leave and I take a few days rest by myself...

[Rachel]

You did the hard part. Think of the positives, it's nice to be loved!

You can get through the next month, the end is in sight. You did right by the parents by giving them a month to find new care, and I fully believe what goes around comes around.

[cheerfuldom]

can you hire your assistant for more hours for the next four weeks? since you are find with parents leaving early, seems the same if they stay and you use the income to hire a sub. just a thought.

it will get better! its less than 20 days, you can do it! and i highly doubt that all families will stay till the end. you will start getting people dropping out by next week because if they begin the search now, they may need to start somewhere new or end up paying you AND paying to hold a spot.

[Starburst]

They will most likely bargain with you, get mad next, and then scoot out as soon as they find someone new. They will not stay the whole time.

I think that is also some of the main stages of grief.

[lolaland]

can you hire your assistant for more hours for the next four weeks? since you are find with parents leaving early, seems the same if they stay and you use the income to hire a sub. just a thought. .

This is not an option only because my assistant rather not make the money than taking care of the very specific demands/schedule of each of these 6 kids... this group is a juggling act ... hard to keep a "smooth ride".

[lolaland]

Snow day today! Schools are closed... daycare is closed! Thank you God! Much needed rest from a draining week. Countdown ..3 Weeks to go.

[lolaland]

So desperately in need for "this" to be over...! Almost 2 weeks to go (by the end of tomorrow) and I still have all the families here... from the 6 families, 4 of them already confirmed they will use my daycare until the end. A lot of mixed fellings comes along with such waiting :confused: A "free falling" kind of feeling... sometimes excitement, sometimes panic, sometimes freedom, sometimes lost!! Sometimes all of the above at the same time!! For those of you also on a "closing countdown", is this also hapening to you?