Daycare Employee, Just So Burnt Out..

[thetoddlerwhisper]

I have worked at numerous centers, and have seen good people like you treated horribly. Doing a great job probably means you are out doing others that just want to do the status quo, do the minimum, and go home. You are making the others look bad, by being so good In my experience, it's not going to change. You don't deserve this treatment, and you shouldn't tolerate it.
Can you get a babysitting job? Babysitting is great money, less aggravation, and a good job while in college. You would be surprised how many stay at home moms will pay good money to get out for a few hours. Advertise on care.com and craigslist. You can't change these people, so I wouldn't even try. Find somewhere where hard work is appreciated, and don't settle for less :hug:

ive had the same sort of problems

[Unregistered]

You're nineteen? From your post, you sound very mature, caring, and self-aware. It seems like you have high standards for yourself and a good work ethic. Honestly, I did not have all of those qualities at 19!

Hang in there until January when you leave for college! Post here in the meanwhile for support.

You could always consider a nanny job PT in the evenings while in college or even a summer nanny position. With your experience, you'd be very qualified. Care.com is a great place to look for jobs. Then you can choose your family, only care for the number of kids you want to care for, and get rid of that negative work environment you are in!

Thank you! It's honestly such a big compliment that you believed I was older than I am. I was very upset when I wrote the original post, and I was concerned I sounded like a six year old. :P I wanted to have some maturity to be able to explain thoroughly what was happening.

I finally got up the guts, and talked to my boss. I decided I wanted to work there only part time, about 20 hours a week. I will also be working with the preschoolers, which has its positives and negatives. I'll miss my "babies" badly, but I won't have to change as many diapers (I have a bad back/knee from years of horseback riding and ballet injuries) which will be amazing to reduce the stress on my body, and mind.

Just trying to be positive, positive, positive and LOVE on my kiddos! I gave and received lots of hugs and smoochies from them today. It was an awesome feeling.

That's all for now. I appreciate the immense support and the stories from you all. It's *so* nice to know that I'm not alone in this, and that you all struggle too. Childcare is an extremely hard profession, and my hat is off to you ladies who have been doing it for a long time.

[Michael]

Member BlackCat31 posted something about burn out. Worth a read: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66513

[Unregistered]

Member BlackCat31 posted something about burn out. Worth a read: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66513

I had actually just found that before you posted and I thought it was a great read. It's sometimes difficult for me to find reliable information on topics like that, but I saw a lot of the signs of stress/burnout in myself. Although it doesn't surprise me, it worries me how quickly I became burnt out and how bad it has gotten. Going to take my long weekend and relax, put my feet up, and then go see a doctor about my joints!