Not Sure Where To Go?

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I have been providing in home daycare for 5 years and the last few months have been extremely difficult. I read the sticky on provider burn out and that is definitely me! At first I was wanting to wait until my youngest goes to school (2 more years) but I don't see that working. What I really want is to stay at home with just him or 1 daycare child. We couldn't do that financially. I have already reduced my number as much as we can possibly afford. I have taken days off but the night before I start back to work I get depressed again. I hate that I feel this way!!! I love the children but it's everything else that goes along with daycare that is getting to me.

My youngest has health issues and I won't be able to hold down a full time job outside of the home. I would have to constantly call in to stay home with him. Finding a part time job with my husbands hours is proving to be very hard. His hours change every week. Is there another work from home job for someone with just a early childhood development degree? Thank you!

[blessed mom]

I don't know of any but I think that many are in the same boat. It can change around sometimes. Remind yourself how lucky...yes lucky...you are to be able to be home with your own kids. I think sometimes we take that very much for granted. Try some new crafts or activities with the day care kids. Try getting outside as much as possible. All the burn out comments on the sticky really do help to remotivate. Good luck. I wish I didn't have to work too but for now this provides an nice living and I'll do whatever it takes to be home with my kids right now and that is my focus. I love the day care kids but it's not really a very challenging job when you've been doing it for a long time. That's ok...everything for a season. Try to hang on a few more years if possible.

[KidGrind]

I am praying for you.

I am dealing with burn out of a different variety.

I am dealing with a corrupt individual in charge of monitoring FCC Providers. It’s a never-ending battle.

[melilley]

I don't know of any but I think that many are in the same boat. It can change around sometimes. Remind yourself how lucky...yes lucky...you are to be able to be home with your own kids. I think sometimes we take that very much for granted. Try some new crafts or activities with the day care kids. Try getting outside as much as possible. All the burn out comments on the sticky really do help to remotivate. Good luck. I wish I didn't have to work too but for now this provides an nice living and I'll do whatever it takes to be home with my kids right now and that is my focus. I love the day care kids but it's not really a very challenging job when you've been doing it for a long time. That's ok...everything for a season. Try to hang on a few more years if possible.

I feel the exact same way!

[cheerfuldom]

I definitely sympathize. When you have a child that has some special needs, you either have to commit to meet those needs yourself or pay top dollar for someone else to do that for you. One of the reasons that I have stayed in daycare is that one of my children is special needs. She would be a handful for anyone at best but more than likely, be kicked out of multiple daycares. I actually would wonder about anyone that would be willing to keep her....worried that she is being kept out of desperation for income. Anywho, my hubby also has a crazy and demanding job schedule that does not allow for any consistent times when I could work outside the home. It is very challenging to be in this situation. Its hard not to feel constantly trapped or frustrated. but I do this for my kids. When I get upset, I just look at them and know that I am doing this for them and I just have to make it thru one day at a time. I have no idea how you could use your degree without doing what you are already doing. The only other option would be if your husband does not work nights, you could work nights and switch off with him in caring for your son and utilize some daycare for your son during the times you sleep. you wouldnt be working with kids though but probably doing something at a hotel or hospital or something like that that is open 24/7. Hope you find a solution!

[Cat Herder]

A few things that helped me tremendously:

1. Scale down your program as much as possible. If you do curriculum, do it one day a week instead of five. Same with art. *Even public school turfs them off to the librarian, gym coach or movie day.

2. Get 5 big bins, divide your toys evenly into them. Only put out one bin per day during free play (rotate). 1/5 the clean-up, and BONUS the kids magically start playing with them better and longer.

3. Get divided plates with lids (micro-wave/dishwasher safe). Flip your cooking routine so that the evening dinner also fills the daycare lunch plates for the next day. It is not "left-overs" (for those whose regs say no leftovers) if it was not served to your family, on the table, before being divided. This free's up SO much time mid-day for a break for you. Clean-up is also a snap.

4. Let go of any responsibility to the kids that rightfully belongs to their parents. You don't have to raise their kids, just keep them safe until the parents come back to collect them. It is a mental thing. Anything else you do is a bonus.

5. Stop keeping score. If you don't get it all done today the sun still comes up tomorrow. :hug:

Remember: Do what you can with what you have, it will be enough. lovethis

[cheerfuldom]

A few things that helped me tremendously:

1. Scale down your program as much as possible. If you do curriculum, do it one day a week instead of five. Same with art. *Even public school turfs them off to the librarian, gym coach or movie day.

2. Get 5 big bins, divide your toys evenly into them. Only put out one bin per day during free play (rotate). 1/5 the clean-up, and BONUS the kids magically start playing with them better and longer.

3. Get divided plates with lids (micro-wave/dishwasher safe). Flip your cooking routine so that the evening dinner also fills the daycare lunch plates for the next day. It is not "left-overs" (for those whose regs say no leftovers) if it was not served to your family, on the table, before being divided. This free's up SO much time mid-day for a break for you. Clean-up is also a snap.

4. Let go of any responsibility to the kids that rightfully belongs to their parents. You don't have to raise their kids, just keep them safe until the parents come back to collect them. It is a mental thing. Anything else you do is a bonus.

5. Stop keeping score. If you don't get it all done today the sun still comes up tomorrow. :hug:

Remember: Do what you can with what you have, it will be enough. lovethis

great tips!

[Unregistered]

Thank you so much! Your kind words have really helped!!!! My youngest is just like you described! He would either be passed around daycares or kept just for income. That makes me pretty nervous. My husband usually works 4 nights a week and 1 day then either a Sunday or a Saturday.

[Josiegirl]

There have been times when my burn-out feelings became so strong it made me want to sit down and cry.
Are you in the position to take a week off, throughout the holidays?
I do a lot of what catherder said, streamlining my program until I feel a little joy again. Sometimes all I need to do is stick in a Wiggles dvd and dance with them, lay out a picnic on the living room floor, sit down and spend the day reading and cuddling with them. I don't have a lot of structure here, it all revolves around naps and meals plus trying to get outdoors twice a day. Everything else is flexible. I make it enjoyable for them, easier on me.
Is there a particular thing or 2 causing stress? Do you have a difficult child in daycare that you could look to replace? Need an extra long weekend?

I have wanted to quit daycare so many times in the past 30 years....but I somehow stuck it out. Another thing that might help you is take a class, something totally unrelated to daycare. Something for YOU. Indulge yourself for awhile and see if that helps. Claim time for YOU!

[Laurel]

I just like to think up lists of possibilities so take something if you can use it and ignore the rest. Many of these would be without your child but you could schedule them around when your husband is home to watch him.

-tutor
-still do daycare but only nights or only before and after school
-get certified and give first aid/cpr and give classes
-teach a child care class at your local college or give them in your home for providers
-do the Avon, Tupperware, jewelry, candle parties, etc.
-clean houses
-make Christmas wreaths and sell them (my friend did this and also made other things)
-Holiday Helper-wrap gifts, trim trees, bake, etc.
-Services for elderly or anybody-drive to appointments, take them to grocery store or shop for them. This is really big where I live with. I see this all the time.
-Do children's birthday parties
-Wedding planning
-Rent rooms in your house instead of doing childcare
-Husband get a second job
-Downsize like moving to a smaller house and sell current one. Get rid of one car. Just to make enough so you don't have to take as many children.
-Dog walk
-any skills you could teach such as knitting, playing an instrument, etc.? If not, take instruction and then teach in your home. I would definitely sign up for a knitting class because it is something I just can't get, . Other ideas, a nutritionist (weight loss group, personal trainer, etc.)
-Mom's night out group-Charge mom's and then host a group at your house once a week. Do different activities or schedule speakers for each week or ???
-Bookkeeping Service
-Home organizing
-Baking cakes or pies-I know a lady who did this as a side job at my husband's workplace and made it into a business.

Help me people, .

Laurel

[Laurel]

Oh, I'd also take a computer class if someone taught it at their house or elsewhere. There is a lot I can't do that I'd like to know. Okay, trying to stop now. I get in a list making mood sometimes....

[Annalee]

I have been providing in home daycare for 5 years and the last few months have been extremely difficult. I read the sticky on provider burn out and that is definitely me! At first I was wanting to wait until my youngest goes to school (2 more years) but I don't see that working. What I really want is to stay at home with just him or 1 daycare child. We couldn't do that financially. I have already reduced my number as much as we can possibly afford. I have taken days off but the night before I start back to work I get depressed again. I hate that I feel this way!!! I love the children but it's everything else that goes along with daycare that is getting to me.

My youngest has health issues and I won't be able to hold down a full time job outside of the home. I would have to constantly call in to stay home with him. Finding a part time job with my husbands hours is proving to be very hard. His hours change every week. Is there another work from home job for someone with just a early childhood development degree? Thank you!

My nephew is special needs as well. He is now 18 but like taking caring of a 4 year old. His mother stays with him 24/7 and has always been wonderful for him.

But a few years ago, she became extremely depressed due to his constant care. Not that she did not want to care for him but she never got a break. She decided to take up walking/running. Family/friends take turns throughout the week giving her an hour a day at some point allowing her to get out of the house.

She said walking/running is the best stress relief ever. She is up to 5 miles at a time plus has shed some weight which makes her feel better as well. I hope this helps!

Fcc can be isolating at times not to mention what outside stressors can do to us as well. Support systems are very important. I wish the best for you!

[blessed mom]

I am taking a week off for Christmas and I absolutely cannot wait! I feel so renewed after that time! I also have a hobby that I enjoy and that has really helped me mentally. Without that it was all daycare 12 hours a day and then home chores or my kids needing me and I had nothing that was just for me. The hobby really helped. If there's something you really enjoy make time for it and you might be surprised how much it clears your head when you are working.

[Unregistered]

Op

I will continue to try!!! I had 6 kids today plus my hubby came home sick so essentially I had 7 kids to take care of.

[Evansmom]

:hug:
I'm sorry you're in a rough spot. I've been in burnout many times before so I can relate.

In regards to your question of what else you can do with a child development degree. I know this isn't very different but could you nanny for someone and take your child with you? In my area nannies make more money than daycare providers and you only care for 1-3 kids.

Or maybe try to start a daycare consultation business?

I hope you can find some thing to help you work this out!