How Do You Set Your "Reset Buttons"?

[SunshineMama]

How do ya'll set your "reset buttons?"

I have been feeling very negative lately, about almost everything. I'm sooooooo sick and tired of watching other kids, on top of my own 3 very young kids. I feel angry and depressed, and overworked, and underappreciated. I see no end in sight, and I wont be getting any help from anyone to fix any of the issues I am having.

There has to be a way that I can give myself an attitude adjustment that I will believe I can accomplish.

What do you do for a pick me up? (Forget hanging out with friends- most of mine are pregnant SAHMs- they don't understand being stuck at home with a bunch of daycare kids and your own, and they are all wrapped up in the mommy-war battles of 'my kid is better than yours.') I need to make a change. But how? Where do I start?

HELP! I need to get out of this downward attitude and negative feeling spiral!

[CraftyMom]

Is there a particular dck giving you a hard time? I find that when I start disliking my job usually this is the case for me.

[Heidi]

What did you do before you had kids?

Movies, read, work out, art, write poems?

Make that happen. Make a promise to yourself to take an evening or a Saturday morning or a Sunday afternoon each week to do something for you. Go sit in a Starbucks or library or a park. Go for a hike.

DH can handle the kids. The house may not be as clean, the kids may eat cheetos, but it'll be ok.

If he doesn't already, make sure your DH gets to do the same.

I don't know if you get out together, but please try to do that, too. Make a night a month where you get a sitter.

[NoMoreJuice!]

One thing at a time.

Before I begin, big hug! :hug:

I'm so sorry that you're feeling this way. We ALL get that way girl. I blame the weather. Lack of sunshiny vitamin D=sad days for me.

Changing your whole life at once is a stress all in it's own, but just changing one thing at a time can make a huge impact!

I'd start with a crazy new haircut. Take the day off some Friday, ditch the kids with grandparents or friends, and go get a new look. Cut, color, highlights, everything. Check Groupon! It's so refreshing to see a different person in the mirror that you tend to see every part of your life in a different light! Some will say it's a little superficial, but I promise it's a great place to start! Not to mention all the compliments you'll receive will really boost your self esteem. You deserve it!

[KiddieCahoots]

How do ya'll set your "reset buttons?"

I see no end in sight, and I wont be getting any help from anyone to fix any of the issues I am having.

I hear you. I can completely relate. :hug:
CraftyMom made a point, that I myself have had to adjust to make things brighter here. I may not have as much $ until I get replacements, but I'm weeding out the problems right now, and I feel so much better, and hopeful about my child care's future.
Also, like others have said, make time for some YOU time!

[SunshineMama]

Before I begin, big hug! :hug:

I'm so sorry that you're feeling this way. We ALL get that way girl. I blame the weather. Lack of sunshiny vitamin D=sad days for me.

Changing your whole life at once is a stress all in it's own, but just changing one thing at a time can make a huge impact!

I'd start with a crazy new haircut. Take the day off some Friday, ditch the kids with grandparents or friends, and go get a new look. Cut, color, highlights, everything. Check Groupon! It's so refreshing to see a different person in the mirror that you tend to see every part of your life in a different light! Some will say it's a little superficial, but I promise it's a great place to start! Not to mention all the compliments you'll receive will really boost your self esteem. You deserve it!

I definitely think that the weather is playing a big part, as well as hormone fluctuations. It's been cold, snowy, or rainy since last October. We had a 2 day reprieve this last weekend, but its supposed to snow tomorrow I was a very outdoorsy person. and being cooped up in the house with too many kids to leave for the past 7 months is about to have me knocking on the door of the insane asylum. Starting in May, I will have my Fridays completely off, which I think will help a lot, but I will still have my 3 kids 5 and under, so it isn't like its a big break.

I mostly need to figure out how to break the cycle of negativity in my own mind. I used to be so healthy and happy. I would walk in the sun and smile, with my wheatgrass shots and an apple, and have the most positive outlook on life. Who knows- maybe it is the lack of sunshine, but I have to figure out how to pull myself out of this bad place.

[Heidi]

I definitely think that the weather is playing a big part, as well as hormone fluctuations. It's been cold, snowy, or rainy since last October. We had a 2 day reprieve this last weekend, but its supposed to snow tomorrow I was a very outdoorsy person. and being cooped up in the house with too many kids to leave for the past 7 months is about to have me knocking on the door of the insane asylum. Starting in May, I will have my Fridays completely off, which I think will help a lot, but I will still have my 3 kids 5 and under, so it isn't like its a big break.

I mostly need to figure out how to break the cycle of negativity in my own mind. I used to be so healthy and happy. I would walk in the sun and smile, with my wheatgrass shots and an apple, and have the most positive outlook on life. Who knows- maybe it is the lack of sunshine, but I have to figure out how to pull myself out of this bad place.

Go get a Vitamin D supplement! It can't hurt, and may help, right?

Can you go out for a brisk walk in the a.m. before the kiddos arrive? Even 15-20 minutes alone, breathing fresh air, might help. We're starting to get daylight at 6 am now here.

[Heidi]

Here...this should cheer you up. This is what we woke up to this morning...after being in the low to mid 60's last week.

[Leigh]

In a word: VACATION. It doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate, it needs to be a break! Even if you feel that you can't close daycare, do it on a weekend. If you can't leave home, then book a day of relaxation for yourself...sitting in the corner of the library reading for hours, get a 2 hour massage then do some window shopping. Hike a nature trail, take a long bike ride, even go sit in a good friend's backyard drinking dacquiris!

I love my job, but I get to feeling the same way sometimes. Even an afternoon running errands alone can be a mini-vacation for me! Try something new or do something you love-it can help. If you're able to get away for an overnight trip all alone, all the better!

[taylorw1210]

I am starting to feel similar. :hug:

I think my issue in large part due to the weather! It was pretty nice last week and of course today it's snowing. I hired my assistant to come spent most of the day (9a-3p) with my kiddos tomorrow - it just so happens I only have 3 in attendance tomorrow so it works out well. I have no idea what I'll be doing but I'll be doing it FAR AWAY from the house!

Try to carve out some "you" time. I completely understand how difficult that is - as I have 4 kiddos of my own plus the daycare. Fortunately 2 of mine are in school, now, so it's a little easier with only 2 that are not in school.

[Oss_cc]

Totally agree with all the PPs. You need "me" time. I'm just coming out of a similar slump. It's rough. I think it's something most providers experience.

I have two young kids myself, so weekends aren't exactly a break. I sometimes just have to declare "enough" and leave the kids with DH. Even if it's just to run to target alone, or go for a walk in ACTUAL silence.

The weather always makes a huge difference for me, so vitamin D couldn't hurt!

Taking impromptu road trips on weekends (just driving to a new place a couple of hours away) really helps us break up the monotony as well.

Also, I think it was Cat Herder who suggested this book, but reading this book has been helpful:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1929610939?pc_redir=1397247959&robot_redir=1

[llpa]

I can relate completely. :hug: Although I am new to operating a dc, I am not new to teaching and having five grandkids of my own who I see a lot on my down time. I think the biggest difference in running the dc is that you can't escape!! There is rarely a minute of the very loooooong day when you aren't talking to someone or they are just yapping constantly all day. One of mine all during nap as well. And some days I am ok w that and love it! Then others not so much ::add in the stress of getting ready for my yearly re licensing visit and one who wants to wake everyone at nap and I just want to escape. You have my sympathy and admiration for recognizing that you feel that way. I am going to get a haircut and take some vit D.

[Starburst]

For a child care supervisor class I recently took (final was last week), it was an actual homework assignment every week that we had to write and do a "Self Balancing Act"; where we had to try to do something we consider relaxing and just for us to avoid burn out. It can be something as small as just taking a 15 minute walk to something big like taking a trip.

Somethings I did for this assignment:
Walk
Listen to music
Watch tv or a movie
Read a book or magazine
(Attempting to) Give blood/volunteer
Playing bingo
Going on a trip for spring break
Playing computer games

Some things other people in class have mentioned:
Going on a date with spouse/significant other
Going to see a friend
Going to the gym
Going for a jog/bike ride/ swim/ drive
Going to a movie or play
Going to the park
writing
Going shopping
Going out for lunch/dinner
Taking a long nap
Taking a long bath/shower
Book club
Bible study
Social outtings
Mani/pedi
Facial
Massage

[Cradle2crayons]

How about all of us take a vacation without our spouses and own kids... Who's in????

Mememememdmememeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.... I already bought my ticket going anywhere ...

[KiddieCahoots]

How about all of us take a vacation without our spouses and own kids... Who's in????

Mememememdmememeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.... I already bought my ticket going anywhere ...

::::::::.........
That's great!!! TY, made my day!!!