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After leaving the house for work in my previous life, I find myself so lonely doing daycare. I don't really have friends so my evenings are at home, too. There are weeks I'm not leaving the house at all during the week. I feel like I talk and share too much with dcp because I'm just happy to have an adult around to talk to. Am I alone in this? Any advice for me?
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I have found it helpful to attend the provider meetings in my area. It gives me the opportunity to network with other providers. (And gets me out of the house) I don't know who hosts them in other areas, but where I live they are held at the Resource & Referral Center.
I also attend trainings and conferences when I can to keep my skills up to date, and to get out and meet other adults who enjoy working with kids. If you have a hobby, (like scrapbooking) looking for classes or groups related to your hobby is another good way to get out and meet people. In this profession, I feel like we sometimes need to get creative in finding ways to network and stay energized. :-) -
I'm pretty sure there isn't a career out there that meets everyone's needs so depending on your needs, you have to find ways to meet the needs you have not met at/by work.
If you feel closed in or lonely, join a club or an activity after you close that can help you meet others or socialize. If you have small children of your own, join a mommy & me group or take your child to a story hour or play group where you can meet other mommies that you might have something in common with.
If you don't have younger kids of your own, then your evenings and weekends should be free to pursue anything that lends to socializing that you want.
For me, I personally enjoy the lack of adult conversation. I prefer the company of kids while working and although I enjoy the little bit of chit chat at drop off/pick up, I don't crave more than that at all.
I don't know your situation but I do think you are NOT alone as loneliness seems to be a pretty common "side effect" of being an in-home childcare provider but thankfully, it's easily fixable if you just get yourself out there.
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I'm right there with you. By the end of the week I'm scratching at the door, ready to get out and do SOMETHING!
I've recently met another provider in my area and have made friends with her. We consult each other on daycare matters, but have a friendship outside of daycare. We live in a large enough community that we aren't "competing" and it's actually nice because if she has no room and I do, she'll send them to me and vise versa. We call each other and talk on blue tooth if either is having a bad day and just need to vent. I actually found her when she referred a family to me because she passed on them but then called me to warn me....Comment
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That's kinda like me too. I never enjoyed working with others, being an introvert like I am. I like the solitude but on weekends, I do find myself wishing for company. Not all the time, just once in awhile. I do find myself talking to my dogs a lot though. That's okay as long as I don't do it when they are home and I'm out and about. Eeks.
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I agree it is so lonely. Even when hubby comes home, he doesn't talk much. I don't know about you, but I have a social anxiety problem and it is paralyzing to even think about going out in public without someone I know, so I get not being able to join classes or something similar. (I'm so bad, I can't even go in my front yard by myself, ridiculous I know). Thank goodness for these sites. They help keep me company.
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You're not so alone with those feelings.I agree it is so lonely. Even when hubby comes home, he doesn't talk much. I don't know about you, but I have a social anxiety problem and it is paralyzing to even think about going out in public without someone I know, so I get not being able to join classes or something similar. (I'm so bad, I can't even go in my front yard by myself, ridiculous I know). Thank goodness for these sites. They help keep me company.
I have to really push myself to do anything, even go for a walk with my dogs. I must have always been this way because I remember when my parents would take us to shopping malls and when I was old enough to stay in the car by myself, that's what I'd beg them to let me do.
Sorry....carry on.
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I don't have anxieties so please forgive me if you find this offensive, but I think the less you go among others, the more your anxiety will grow!I agree it is so lonely. Even when hubby comes home, he doesn't talk much. I don't know about you, but I have a social anxiety problem and it is paralyzing to even think about going out in public without someone I know, so I get not being able to join classes or something similar. (I'm so bad, I can't even go in my front yard by myself, ridiculous I know). Thank goodness for these sites. They help keep me company.
If you wish you could be more outgoing, you need to fight this and make yourself go out there!
Tell yourself there is nothing wrong with you, you are as good as anyone else and there might be someone out there who could really benefit from your friendship.
Are you a registered member? If you're not, I'd start from there!...just use a fake name and it's no different than being unregistered (I think) then other members could pm you and you would make new friends
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