Too much stress-made a decision

[Josiegirl]

I have gone back and forth about keeping this 11 month old. I told the parents I'd give it 2 weeks and see how it goes. I'm going to tell them today that I can take her pt, maybe a couple days a week, just to help the grandmother if she needs a break. Group care is sooo different than being able to sit and cuddle and rock all day long with a baby.
The stress I've been feeling lately is unbelievable and it's all work-related. Between making a decision that works for everybody and keeping up with all the stupid STARS requirements, I'm feeling really crappy. Had nightmares all night, didn't sleep much and even had chest pains a couple times.
As much as I could use the $, I just can't do it anymore.

[Laurel]

I have gone back and forth about keeping this 11 month old. I told the parents I'd give it 2 weeks and see how it goes. I'm going to tell them today that I can take her pt, maybe a couple days a week, just to help the grandmother if she needs a break. Group care is sooo different than being able to sit and cuddle and rock all day long with a baby.
The stress I've been feeling lately is unbelievable and it's all work-related. Between making a decision that works for everybody and keeping up with all the stupid STARS requirements, I'm feeling really crappy. Had nightmares all night, didn't sleep much and even had chest pains a couple times.
As much as I could use the $, I just can't do it anymore.

Just stop then. Good for you for taking care of yourself. Don't feel one bit guilty either. :hug:

It's only money. We've been in tight money situations in the past and now I don't even remember why. In the grand scheme of things you'll be fine.

Laurel

[cheerfuldom]

I don't think you should offer to keep part time. Part time infants are even worse than full time, if you have an unhappy screamer in care. It really wont help you that much. Just let her go and then find a child that is a better fit. You are seriously close to major burnout and two days less a week is not going to be the big relief that you think it will be. The child will likely be even worse on the other three days and you wont be getting much recovery time from him/her plus the other kids in care still have to deal with it too. Just term.

[Blackcat31]

Sometimes it isn't about the money. Sometimes your need for sanity overrides the need for money.

I just termed a family too and I have to say that the stress not being there anymore is overwhelmingly awesome! I knew it was bad but didn't realize how bad until they were gone so I think you are making the right decision to not keep the baby.

I also think Cheer is right about not offering part time care. That can be worse!

If you want to help them out, you could simply offer drop in care with ADVANCE notice so you can arrange your day to take her or you can say no without feeling obligated.

[Josiegirl]

I think you're right, thank you(just needed to hear it from someone else). PT would be worse. The inconsistency of schedules and it really wouldn't offer me much of a break, like I thought at first that it would. I've done a flip flop every single day about this. But then this week has been hell, 2 other dcks have been so fussy and needy, 1 of them a biter, then this 11 month old constantly either clinging to my legs, being carried, or crying or any combination of the aforementioned. Ugh.

I was really hoping it'd work out and I feel terribly guilty. They were looking forward so much to when their other dd(my dcg) turned 2 yo so I could take their other little one. I keep telling myself it's not my fault they've created a child who cannot fall asleep.

I told dcm their dd fell asleep in the high chair at lunch yesterday so I tried to transfer her. Didn't work. Dcm said it was okay with her to just let her sleep in the highchair. I said I can't do that for safety reasons. She said she probably shouldn't sleep with her for safety reasons either. Well, there ya go.

But I have noticed it is affecting me and the rest of the kids here. I have to think of the whole group, right?

[Blackcat31]

But I have noticed it is affecting me and the rest of the kids here. I have to think of the whole group, right?

ONE person's needs should NEVER be more important that the group's needs as a whole.

That is NOT what group care is.

That is what a nanny is for.