Not burned out. Definitely a difference. I had a totally disheartening end to the day yesterday:
#1 4yo dcb had a little turd in his pocket. He has trouble doing his number 2 anywhere other than home sometimes, and he was trying to hold it. He tells dcm when she picks up, then comes to me. I scolded him lightly, dcm took him to the bathroom for clean-up, then comes out with only dirty looks for me. I think because I chose to let him know it was not okay instead of coddling. Come on. He's not a 2yo in potty training. He's 4. This is not the first time. No, it is not okay to run around with crap in your pants and not tell me about it.
#2 Other 4yo dcb's dcm tells me that she thinks maybe she will send him to "preschool" a couple days a week this year. I have done a full preschool curriculum with him once he turned 3. Very cute stuff. Very professional and educational. Something tangible for every day displayed on bulletin boards, previous weeks' stuff go home on Mondays. I bust my butt doing this part of daycare. There is nothing more I can do. I realize now no matter how much I do I will only be recognized for this in 1 of about every 6 dcfs.
Plus, I have 2 open spots that haven't filled yet. I talked with my wonderful husband last night, and he said he was disgusted overhearing potential clients when I interview. My rates are low. Because I have set hours and set policies the way I like it. Every time during interviews that I am asked to do special, I always say yes...with a fee. Earlier drop-off or later pick-up (I am open for a normal 10 hours)? Yes, for an extra $5 per day. Preschool for your extra special genius 2yo? Yes, for an extra $10 per week. And then they are appalled. He says they expect everything for nothing, and it is definitely getting worse. Maybe it's time to throw in the towel.
So we crunched some numbers, and I realized I would only need to watch 4 kids to make what I would probably make outside the home. I thought that was funny. And I still love the kids and my days with them. I'm just disgusted, not burned out.
#1 4yo dcb had a little turd in his pocket. He has trouble doing his number 2 anywhere other than home sometimes, and he was trying to hold it. He tells dcm when she picks up, then comes to me. I scolded him lightly, dcm took him to the bathroom for clean-up, then comes out with only dirty looks for me. I think because I chose to let him know it was not okay instead of coddling. Come on. He's not a 2yo in potty training. He's 4. This is not the first time. No, it is not okay to run around with crap in your pants and not tell me about it.
#2 Other 4yo dcb's dcm tells me that she thinks maybe she will send him to "preschool" a couple days a week this year. I have done a full preschool curriculum with him once he turned 3. Very cute stuff. Very professional and educational. Something tangible for every day displayed on bulletin boards, previous weeks' stuff go home on Mondays. I bust my butt doing this part of daycare. There is nothing more I can do. I realize now no matter how much I do I will only be recognized for this in 1 of about every 6 dcfs.
Plus, I have 2 open spots that haven't filled yet. I talked with my wonderful husband last night, and he said he was disgusted overhearing potential clients when I interview. My rates are low. Because I have set hours and set policies the way I like it. Every time during interviews that I am asked to do special, I always say yes...with a fee. Earlier drop-off or later pick-up (I am open for a normal 10 hours)? Yes, for an extra $5 per day. Preschool for your extra special genius 2yo? Yes, for an extra $10 per week. And then they are appalled. He says they expect everything for nothing, and it is definitely getting worse. Maybe it's time to throw in the towel.
So we crunched some numbers, and I realized I would only need to watch 4 kids to make what I would probably make outside the home. I thought that was funny. And I still love the kids and my days with them. I'm just disgusted, not burned out.
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