Ugh, Awful Week....

[cheerfuldom]

Right now I only take three daycare kids because with my four, that is all I can fit in my car and I have to provide transportation for school in fall. I had sudden notice from one of my kids in June because they had been on a waiting list for a specialized pricey daycare for years and were finally offered a spot that no one expected them to get. I found a replacement but he doesnt start till mid August. I thought the fall was all lined up and then another family gave notice this week. Only two weeks notice as mom up and quit her job. Its VERY hard to find a replacement when I dont want to take anymore non-walking kids and I also take the kids on a school run. Around here, its a hot button issue if a parent will or will not allow the daycare provider to drive their kid around.

So I have one kid not started yet, another leaving asap and then a third that had this issue today.....

apparently my daughter wrapped a necklace around the daycare girl and left small red marks on her upper arm. It happened at the very end of the day and I did not notice when this child left the dad noticed in the car and brought the child right back so we could discuss it. the girl told her dad what had happened and I do believe her. The daughter in question is special needs and prone to hitting or hurtful behavior towards others. I have to keep on her like a hawk. of course it was chaotic during pickup and the kids were playing dressup but this daycare girl never cried or told me she was hurt with the necklace. so dad was upset of course but he wasnt rude or anything. but the problem is that this daycare girl has recently been saying she doesnt like it here and that she "gets headaches at daycare". she's barely 3 so that could be her way to try and say that something is up. I am trying to keep a close eye on everyone but I do have a half dozen kids, two special needs kids (one is mine, one is not) plus my husband had been working a lot of extra hours which leaves all the extras like house cleaning, baths for the kids, etc. on my shoulders. I know that I am stretched to thin and I think that the parents are getting that impression. I am worried they are going to term.....

[littlemissmuffet]

I'm sorry that you are having a tough time right now. I lost most of my kiddos recently for various reasons, and financially I know it can be hard. It adds alot of stress to already stressful situations.

I know you said you don't want to take any non-walking kids right now - but at least you know you can fall back on that if you have to.

Hubby might be working extra hours outside the home, but that means you are working extra hours inside the home - you two might have to sit down and have a coversation about dividing housework and children responsibilies more evenly.

Hang in there! :hug:

[spud912]

I just wanted to give virtual hugs :hug:. I hope you find some children quickly!

[cheerfuldom]

I'm sorry that you are having a tough time right now. I lost most of my kiddos recently for various reasons, and financially I know it can be hard. It adds alot of stress to already stressful situations.

I know you said you don't want to take any non-walking kids right now - but at least you know you can fall back on that if you have to.

Hubby might be working extra hours outside the home, but that means you are working extra hours inside the home - you two might have to sit down and have a coversation about dividing housework and children responsibilies more evenly.

Hang in there! :hug:

Not taking anymore non walking kids is mostly due to safety. I have to be able to fit the appropriate car seats in our vehicle and a lot of rear facing seats do take up more space. plus it is challenging already loading into the car because two cannot get into the car by themselves. the logistics of getting so many young ones out the car and then back into the house safely is challenging! I dont want to leave a bunch of kids in the driveway while I am loading up one at a time in the car nor do I want to leave them unattended in the house as I take out one at time. I will have to do pickup and dropoff throughout the year and we get snow in the winter. Its really not an option to have too many of them that can not get out to the car safely. I only have two hands that means I can carry two and the rest need to be able to walk out there independently.

my husband is helping out and pitching in but the issue is that many days, as much as four or even five days a week, he is gone at 630 and gets back late.....like 9ish. so there really isnt a huge amount of time there for him to be doing anything plus he HAS to get some rest and recovery time. His job is physically demanding, outdoors all day, high risk so being overtired is a huge safety concern for literally the whole community, not just himself. i just wanted to add that because i dont want it to seem like he is just dumping all this on me. he's not.

[kathiemarie]

Not taking anymore non walking kids is mostly due to safety. I have to be able to fit the appropriate car seats in our vehicle and a lot of rear facing seats do take up more space. plus it is challenging already loading into the car because two cannot get into the car by themselves. the logistics of getting so many young ones out the car and then back into the house safely is challenging! I dont want to leave a bunch of kids in the driveway while I am loading up one at a time in the car nor do I want to leave them unattended in the house as I take out one at time. I will have to do pickup and dropoff throughout the year and we get snow in the winter. Its really not an option to have too many of them that can not get out to the car safely. I only have two hands that means I can carry two and the rest need to be able to walk out there independently.

my husband is helping out and pitching in but the issue is that many days, as much as four or even five days a week, he is gone at 630 and gets back late.....like 9ish. so there really isnt a huge amount of time there for him to be doing anything plus he HAS to get some rest and recovery time. His job is physically demanding, outdoors all day, high risk so being overtired is a huge safety concern for literally the whole community, not just himself. i just wanted to add that because i dont want it to seem like he is just dumping all this on me. he's not.

While your husband is working extra could you get a housekeeper? Maybe some one do come in once a week and do the deep cleaning. I think that might help at least a little.

[Sugar Magnolia]

((((hugs to you cheerful)))) You have always been supportive when I needed it, so I just wanted to say hang in there and I hope things turn around soon.
I don't think hurt-by-necklace-girl will be a big deal, sounds pretty minor and understandable. May new clients come to you soon.
:hug: