Advice Needed Please

[Unregistered]

I am a regular on here but logged out for this post. I am in need of some advice.I have been doing in home childcare for almost 4 years now. I honestly love being able to stay home with my youngest and I love being able to watch other people's kids. Lately I am just not enjoying this job. I sat down and looked over my hours, the families, the kids and so on. I honestly have a tough group of kids. 2 babies that scream all day long if they are not being held or being the center of attention, and then toddlers who are just a challenge.

The families have all been awesome. They pay on time, call if they are not going to be here and honestly have done nothing wrong. The problem is the kids and I dont know how to tell the families that their child is a pain in the butt and I do not enjoy watching them. I know being honest is the best policy but as a parent I would not want to be told that my child is a monster and so on. The toddlers are all boys, all in diapers, all hyper active and just bounce off the walls from the time they get here until the time they go home.

I just dont know how to tell parents I dont enjoy watching your child so find someone else. I love watching kids but not this group. I had planned on taking the summer off and thought that would be my easy way out but honestly I am not going to be able to wait that long. I know summer is not far off but here my summer doesnt start until the middle of June. By the time the kids leave, I am so burned out that I dont even want to deal with my own three kids. They are put on the back burner and I just feel its wrong.

Has anyone gone through this and how did you tell parents?? I just dont know what to say to them.

[preschoolteacher]

Could you tell the families that you are going to adjust your schedule to spend more time with your family this summer? You could keep it vague and refrain from mentioning that their kids are terrors!

Is there one child or family that is especially difficult? You might want to start with terminating that family and see if it helps. Sometimes just one child can impact the mood of the entire group.

If things don't get better letting one go, then you could go ahead and close down for the summer early. Would you be able to take summer break early? Close down now and immediately advertise for openings in August (rather than September or whatever you originally planned)?

Also, remember that warm weather is probably on the way wherever you live! The group might be easier to deal with when you can spend more time outdoors. You could get the parents to bring extra gear and bundle those kids up and get outside even now probably.

If I were you, the first thing I would do would be to treat myself to an extra special stash of coffee--the good stuff--and save it for when mornings seem to be especially challenging.

Hang in there!

[Play Care]

First, hugs! When is the last time you had a day off from work? It sounds as if its been too long!
I am going to come out and say that honesty is not always the best policy - while I would not outright lie, I see nothing wrong with some white lies to spare feelings.
You can always tell the parents of the worst offenders you are downsizing and will no longer be providing care as of x date. No need to tell them their kids R monsters,.

[Laurel]

First, hugs! When is the last time you had a day off from work? It sounds as if its been too long!
I am going to come out and say that honesty is not always the best policy - while I would not outright lie, I see nothing wrong with some white lies to spare feelings.
You can always tell the parents of the worst offenders you are downsizing and will no longer be providing care as of x date. No need to tell them their kids R monsters,.

I like this idea. I wouldn't tell them their children are difficult either.

I might say that I am downsizing to allow more time and energy for my family. Anyone can understand that that many children in diapers and babies are a lot for one person. PLUS, they know how their children are. Every single one of them know.

The other thing I might try is to stick it out but hire someone to help. Even a neighborhood teen could come in for a few hours. I used to do that.

Laurel

[bunnyslippers]

I would probably follow the other's suggestions. Try terminating one of the more trying families first. if that doesn't help, close earlier for the summer.

I would definitely put the emphasis on your need for family time, as opposed to telling them their kids are too much. That could lead to problems getting other clients in the future.

Hang in there! Try to take a day off just to help yourself get back on track.