How Do You Deal With Burn Out?

[countrymom]

so basically instead of parents brining their kids when ever they feel like it, they are set to contracted hours....EX
***X DC operates daily Monday through Friday from 8:00 Am to 6:00 Pm. Your hours that your child will attend will be determined during your trial period, and agreed to in your contract. Pleas abide by the times set forth in your contract.

ex: I have one kid who needs to come from 7:30-6:00 so this is the time that he is dropped off and picked up daily.... if he is earlier than 8:00 am I charge a fee, if he stay later than 6:00 pm I charge a fee outside of those times...

Then I have other kids that are contracted from 8:30-5:30 same rules apply.

so basically, they have set times that they can use the DC, not the full hours that i operate, unless you want to pay me more..

this is a new thing for me too, as I'm finding people want to leave their kids here all day. People who work have contracted hours and I think everyone should too.

[Evansmom]

So having the kids clean up at 4:30 like usual yesterday and then me starting my tidying and vacuuming and letting them watch a show really worked. After that I didn't allow them to play anymore. The options were watch TV or read a book until you get picked up which is usually between 5:30 and 5:45. That is okay right? It worked wonders for me!

Then I talked to my husband and we agreed that most nights of the week we could have sandwiches or cereal for dinner and I'd only cook 3 or 4 nights per week. That gives me an extra hour or hour and a half of time to do something else other than chores. I'm actually feeling positive today.

The third thing that I have decided is to let the new boy I took on last month go. He's exhausting and contributing to my burn out big time. At this point I'd rather have a spot open than work with him. Today he is not here and our day is flowing wonderfully.

So I have hopes that my burn out will begin to fade with these things in place.

Thanks for helping me talk this out. For the last week I've thought that I was headed to the institution! I usually love my job and love working with kids. But I'm needing a break!

[daycare]

So having the kids clean up at 4:30 like usual yesterday and then me starting my tidying and vacuuming and letting them watch a show really worked. After that I didn't allow them to play anymore. The options were watch TV or read a book until you get picked up which is usually between 5:30 and 5:45. That is okay right? It worked wonders for me!

Then I talked to my husband and we agreed that most nights of the week we could have sandwiches or cereal for dinner and I'd only cook 3 or 4 nights per week. That gives me an extra hour or hour and a half of time to do something else other than chores. I'm actually feeling positive today.

The third thing that I have decided is to let the new boy I took on last month go. He's exhausting and contributing to my burn out big time. At this point I'd rather have a spot open than work with him. Today he is not here and our day is flowing wonderfully.

So I have hopes that my burn out will begin to fade with these things in place.

Thanks for helping me talk this out. For the last week I've thought that I was headed to the institution! I usually love my job and love working with kids. But I'm needing a break!

yeah glad it is working.... I am happy to hear that you are seeing light at the end of teh tunnel..

Yes of course it is ok to let the kids watch a tv show or read a book. I don't do TV, but I have them read books or help me out. The helper is usually the one that gives me trouble.

Also gald to see that you are not going to be spending all of your nights in the kitchen cooking. Trust me that is what kills me.. Especially when I have to cook meat for the hubby and kids... Im vegan.... my meals are simple hahahah

take a break this weekend and glad to see your spirits are up..

also good job on letting your trouble kid go.....boy does that make a world of a difference....

[MsMe]

You DO need breaks and personal days! These prevent burnout; they are not just for spending time with family. The only way I get through the burnout is looking forward to my next day off even though I have no kids of my own and have all the weekends off. I schedule time just for me and it makes a huge difference.

haha I was saying this sacasticly. This is what she tells me. I am made to feel guilty and lazy for any minute I am away during business hours. 'I get off time when we are closed.' She absolutly refuses to believe that there is any realson I should not be here 24/7. I have not had one hour off in four years. Not a sick day, early Friday, or appt. (well other than Holidays)

[Evansmom]

haha I was saying this sacasticly. This is what she tells me. I am made to feel guilty and lazy for any minute I am away during business hours. 'I get off time when we are closed.' She absolutly refuses to believe that there is any realson I should not be here 24/7. I have not had one hour off in four years. Not a sick day, early Friday, or appt. (well other than Holidays)

Goodness! Can you find a new "partner"? I say "partner" b/c she's not contributing anything. Of course you're burnt out.

This needs to stop or you can get physically sick from it. I was under a lot of stress before taking care of a terminally ill person and it really can impact your blood pressure, you're diabetes risk, everything! Your health is your most important asset!

[Evansmom]

also good job on letting your trouble kid go.....boy does that make a world of a difference....

Thanks for all your advice and thanks for the above quote too. I feel bad letting them go b/c it's not for any reason other than I just can't handle the kid. He's wild! But I guess it's my business and I can work with who I wish to work with. I just feel bad thinking that way. On the other hand though it's self-preservation!