Burn Out...Already??

[Unregistered]

hours

I would suggest writing up a new contract and be frank with the troublesome family about the new changes. You are happy to keep them at the daycare if they can abide by your new policies or they are welcome to provide a notice of termination and find new care. Let them term themselves if need be.

I have a 9 hour a day max. There is no way in H*E*L*L that I would do 11 and 12 hour days. NEVER.

the solutions are right there for you in this thread so all you have to do it implement.

I am updating all my paperwork for my inspection already so I think it's time to give my contract a long hard look and make the changes I want and need.

The unfortunate part about the length of my day is that I'm about 45 minutes from where most people work so I have to allow for drive time. So this dcp must have about a 10 hour day, which I was totally fine with. However, now it's warped into 12 and 13. WAY too much.

I think I will enforce rules better and term if they can't follow that. I know I could replace them by January at the latest.

[Unregistered]

Dad

I read this as he won't watch the day care kids - and honestly, that's not his job. He should however, be caring for his own children.

Right, this is what that meant. He is my back up but he is not too keen about watching the daycare kids. Which makes me feel even more trapped. I am currently in the process of getting a back up trained (she also works part time for the P.O. though) and all the training takes so long, very frustrating. And since I'm already overwhelmed and with no free time, it's been difficult to get set up for her!

I think the hardest part is that our only joint day off together is Sunday which we try to make family day so then the guilt comes if I just want some time alone! And then HIS days off while I work are further complicated by the daycare being in our cramped spaces. I think he may start getting out of the house more. We do have a library but we're in a small town and that doesn't help the "getting out" scenario much.

I will definitely seriously take this all into account, make myself a list and IMPLEMENT. Thank you everyone. And thank you for the burn out explanation--very well written and described me to a tee! (Stage 2!)

[Familycare71]

I am updating all my paperwork for my inspection already so I think it's time to give my contract a long hard look and make the changes I want and need.

The unfortunate part about the length of my day is that I'm about 45 minutes from where most people work so I have to allow for drive time. So this dcp must have about a 10 hour day, which I was totally fine with. However, now it's warped into 12 and 13. WAY too much.

I think I will enforce rules better and term if they can't follow that. I know I could replace them by January at the latest.

Trust me- and all the other ladies here- you will feel so much better when you stand up for yourself and your business!! It is hard when you first start to know where YOUR personally boundaries are- I can be flexible a bit in the am but NOT in the pm- I am not flexible with naps and quiet time, I'm ok being a little flexible with payments (if people talk to me) but not unannounced early or late pick up/drop off...
As you go you will find where your hard lines are- respect them! Make parents respect them. It will get better as you learn and grow.
Remember to take care of you! . :hug:

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

First, I think for all of us, the years we did daycare with our own small children in attendance were so much more difficult, but hang in there! It is SO worth it. My SA DS's tell me often how happy they are that they didn't go to another daycare, don't have to go to after-school care, etc.lovethislovethislovethis

I stopped watching other SA kids just this summer, and it was the best decision. I thought my DS's wanted other kids their age to play with, but not so. It was stressful accommodating the big kids-they wanted to be in other parts of the house, were too rough on my toddler and preschool stuff, and were ALWAYS in my face. I thought I'd miss the extra income, but daycare life is so much simpler without them.

I would recommend cutting back closing time a little. Even 30 minutes will do wonders for your attitude. If that's just not possible because of your locale, I would increase the rate. Even just $5 a week per family will make you feel better.

:hug:Stick it out! It's worth it! It's true, and I am told this all the time, this really is one of the most emotionally and mentally (and even physically at times) exhausting jobs there is. But it is also the most rewarding and fulfilling occupation! There is nothing else I'd rather be.

[TwinKristi]

Wow, thanks for that burn out info... Definitely experiencing it and only started last year. Unfortunately (and maybe fortunately) it looks like I'm losing 2 of my kids at the end of this month and another at the end of the year. So while you may be burnt out, sometimes it's better than not having any kids!

Eta- not due to something I've done, one mom is staying home now, another is switching to FT preschool instead of PT there and PT here and the last is switching to preschool (at 23mos) since his older sister goes there too.

[spinnymarie]

Glad you are thinking about making changes - I totally agree that after 1 yr of being in the business you are well within your rights to decide to make changes and start enforcing them! (not that you ever AREN'T within your rights to change! But it makes an easy intro "After one year I'm now reviewing and updating my contract, handbooks, policies, and rates!")
GOod luck! KUP!