Will I Get Over Feeling Burned Out?

[My3cents]

I went thru that once or twice over the years and have gotten over it so it is possible. Somewhere on this board is a great post about it I think, maybe someone can find it!

There were a few things that I feel worked for me... First was getting more sleep. I was always a night owl, but I think with age came a need for more sleep and I couldn't stay up till midnight, 1am anymore - I was tired and cranky every day!! Believe it or not once I started getting more sleep so much of my patience that I thought was gone forever returned. Another thing that helped was giving up some of the stress of "doing everything" every day. I had a daily schedule and I worked so hard to stick with it and make sure we had plenty of activities for each day. I gave a lot of that up and became a little more play based. We still do fun things, some planned, some not, but I don't spend hours worrying and stressing over it anymore!

[Annalee]

I could really use some advice if any of you have been through this before! For about 2 weeks now, I have just been feeling so burned out and I'm so ashamed to admit it. I got into this profession because I love kids but the way I've been acting/feeling lately, you wouldn't know it. I have a great group of kids (and I'm so lucky to have them), but lately everything they do annoys me and I'm so crabby all the time. I hardly have any motivation to plan activities for the kids and I feel terrible about it. I know these kids deserve better.

Something that I really struggle with is working by myself. I feel very trapped and alone during the day. I would like to hire someone to work with, but right now I can't afford that.

I feel like a terrible provider!! Have any of you gone through this and have any advice? I would greatly appreciate it!

Family child care can be isolating. I am usually the one who can stay on the positive end of things but seems like since the beginning of the year, I have taken 1 step forward and 2 back mostly in issues outside of dc. These issues seem minor when I go to mention them, so I won't, but these issues are very significant to me and cause me sleepless nights and too much worry. Many posts have mentioned "taking care of YOU" and I think that is the key along with "letting things go". I allow myself to become mediator to everyone/everything and sometimes I CAN'T fix everything or everyone which is difficult for me because I want everyone to be happy. Now that I have beat around the bush about my life circumstances, I think I will make plans for the wknd with some local FCC providers at conference to chill out and attempt to enjoy myself...... :confused:::