Major Burnout!!

[LaLa1923]

Man, it seems like a lot of people on this site are closing their business.

I was thinking this too...

[LaLa1923]

I think any employer would view your dc business favorably. You were a business owner for 15 years. That means you worked hard, kept clients, and are stable!

Is there any way you could take Fridays off this summer? I have found it possible because parents can usually find a high school or college girl to come in once per week. I have done it the last few years and it really helps with my attitude!

[Evansmom]

I have been doing this for 15 years and am having major burnout! really feel like it is time for me to close this chapter of my life, but have to work so need to get looking for another job.
I just don't think I can make it through the summer. So tired of crying and messes, parents that just don't care and make so many demands!
Don't know where to look for work or how apotential employer will view my child care business for the last 15 years.
HELP!!!

You can do it! I think you need to be really proactive on describing your job experience and qualifications from the last 15 years. Like some if the other responses said you are a small business owner and ran it successfully for a good long time which means you have many skills an employer would value.

If I were you before I started closing or even announcing closing I would collect letters of recommendation from as many parents as I could. Then write up a simple résumé and cover letter and put all these things together so you can have easy access to them when you go to interview.

Don't describe your work experience on your résumé or in an interview as "oh I stayed home and babysat kids for 15 years". Talk it up! Get detailed about how hard you have worked! Some things you could say are:
Successful small business owner for 15 years
Public relations and advertising experience (advertising for spots)
Conducted interviews with potential clients
Planned daily, weekly and monthly age-appropriate curriculum
Implemented curriculum
Created daily routines for multi-age group
Directed employees on daily tasks and company policies and procedures (if you had any)
Kept meticulous tax and inventory records
Responsible for weekly supply planning, ordering and shopping

See? All wonderful skills that I'm sure you did over the course of your self employment and those are just off the top of my head. I'm sure you could come up with tons of others

Good luck!

[Unregistered]

That's a great idea! What are your hours? Would it be possible to cut back some?

I am open from 7-5, M-F. I don't think cutting back will help at this point. I am really ready for a change!

[Unregistered]

You can do it! I think you need to be really proactive on describing your job experience and qualifications from the last 15 years. Like some if the other responses said you are a small business owner and ran it successfully for a good long time which means you have many skills an employer would value.

If I were you before I started closing or even announcing closing I would collect letters of recommendation from as many parents as I could. Then write up a simple résumé and cover letter and put all these things together so you can have easy access to them when you go to interview.

Don't describe your work experience on your résumé or in an interview as "oh I stayed home and babysat kids for 15 years". Talk it up! Get detailed about how hard you have worked! Some things you could say are:
Successful small business owner for 15 years
Public relations and advertising experience (advertising for spots)
Conducted interviews with potential clients
Planned daily, weekly and monthly age-appropriate curriculum
Implemented curriculum
Created daily routines for multi-age group
Directed employees on daily tasks and company policies and procedures (if you had any)
Kept meticulous tax and inventory records
Responsible for weekly supply planning, ordering and shopping

See? All wonderful skills that I'm sure you did over the course of your self employment and those are just off the top of my head. I'm sure you could come up with tons of others

Good luck!

I don't want to let any of the families know I am thinking about closing yet. I need an income and will need to stay open until I find another job. I do like your list. I had most of these on my resume, but nice to see a list to remind me when I do get an interview somewhere.
Wish I could be a stay at home mom, LOL, but at the age my kids are, college, I would go nuts here by myself and we def need my income to make ends meet.

[lolaland]

I am open from 7-5, M-F. I don't think cutting back will help at this point. I am really ready for a change!

Knowing that you are ready for a change is already half way there!

My only question is: with the schedule you have in your daycare, how will you be able to search for a job and go to interviews and still keep it a secret to parents that you're closing and looking for another job? You can enroll online but looking for a job means many times have to fill up forms in different places... also, not easy to get interviews scheduled for weekends or nights... I find it very hard to find a job being stuck in your home for so many hours... unless you have an assistant, of course!

Good luck !

[Unregistered]

That is a huge issue! not sure how or what, but I am determined to find something!