And Breathe…

[Unregistered]

I have been running my daycare now for over 5 years. I know that’s really not that long considering some of you have been running for decades, but I am only 25 years old so really it’s all I’ve ever done. I run by contract and try to keep everything organized and stay on top of things. But honestly I am burning out and I really just do not know what to do anymore!

When I wake up in the morning I am so unhappy that I have to open for the day. All week all I can think about is how I wish it were Friday. Honestly, at this moment in time I just hate my job! I hate having to share my home with 8 other families. I hate how families are constantly trying to break my contract policies. I hate hiding in the back yard on a Friday night to have a beer and being worried that someone might see me out in public drinking. I hate that I work 10-hour days with no honest break; even if the kids are sleeping I am still on the clock and have to be ready for any and all situations. I hate using my free time (or me time) to run daycare errands, write newsletters, write up receipts, write emails, answer texts and phone calls, make contract changes and so on and so forth. I hate all the extra cleaning the daycare causes for me and how much wear and tear it causes on the house. I hate that I have almost no PRIVACY. Ugh!

Am I the only provider that feels like this? I feel that it’s time that I start looking at other opportunities because I want to be happy in my career and even though I once was, I just don’t feel it anymore! L

[mom2many]

Hugs to YOU! Some days are not easy and there have been times when I have felt overwhelmed, frustrated and needed a break! This happened more when I was on "mommy duty" 24/7 with my own 3 little kids!

Over the years, I have helped many moms start their own daycare businesses and some only last a few years and gave it up. It's definitely not for everyone.

I just wish I'd had the support of a forum like this during my earlier years, when I was fumbling through figuring out what works for me!

[Cat Herder]

My advice is pretty much always the same...

First consider changes to your services, rates or schedule to better fit your family's needs.

Second, put a star on the Calendar for a month from today (or even three months if that will better suit you).

If you still feel this way on that date, then consider a career change.

It is empowering to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Please know that I have had stars on my calendar about once every 4 years (I only keep kids until they turn 4 so have mass exodus AND almost all newborns again EVERY 4 years)....

We ALL get in a slump and need inspiration or a change in routine to keep us from dying a little inside.

[Crazy8]

I went thru this a few years ago (I was probably at the 6-7 year mark) - I really thought I was done doing daycare but after some kids moved on and a few other things changed I found myself in a better place. BUT, I am a bit older than you and this is my "career after my career" and it is a means to be home with my kids instead of out working a 10 hour a day job outside the home. There are of course still some days I don't love it but on a whole I am happy to be doing what I do.

I like catherder's response and if you've been feeling like this just recently give it a month or so. If you've been feeling like this for a long time already maybe it is time to do something else. I don't know if you have kids of your own or if you "need" to work, but maybe after a few years of working outside the home you will want to do this again. Maybe not.

[Unregistered]

On a positive note 4 of my daycare kids said they loved me today completely out of no where!!!!

[wdmmom]

If I've learned anything, don't answer calls, texts, or emails on your "off" time. I do mine during naptime and if I get more throughout the day/night, they don't get answered until morning.

I fill out receipts ahead of time so alls I have to do is tear them out. Or, eliminate receipts all together. Most families don't keep them anyway. They just wait for the end of year total.

If you can cut back your work day, do it! I trimmed mine by 30 minutes! 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon.

Prepare meals ahead of time.

Do deep cleaning one day per week during nap.

Or...if you can afford to, hire an assistant.

I don't at all feel like I share my home with 5 families. They don't come any farther than the front door/foyer area. I have all kids ready to go by their designated time and I have the kids pick up their toys 15 minutes before closing time.

I also close at 3pm on Fridays so this allows me time to get the grocery shopping done for the upcoming week. I'm still working but I'm not really butting into my "me" time.

And, as for drinking a beer in the backyard, by Friday night, go for it! Drink like a fish if you're feeling froggy! What happens after hours is NO ones business but your own! Enjoy! ::::

[rjskids]

I hate hiding in the back yard on a Friday night to have a beer and being worried that someone might see me out in public drinking. L

Are there really parents out there that worry about this? Heck! I'd go OUT for a drink with any of my parents! Have you never seen the saying "I'm a teacher...therefore I drink" haha!

[CheekyChick]

Is there any way you could afford an assistant for two or three hours a day? That would give you time to run errands, do your paperwork, answer e-mails, etc. If you don't have to spend your weekends working during your "me" time, it might make your life and your career more palatable.

[MarinaVanessa]

Things that I have learned to do in Daycare:

• screen my calls

• Slow down

• Give families that argue against my policies a list of other daycare's to call

• Realize that I am allowed to do whatever I want after DC hours

• When the kids get really rowdy we go outside

• Not over-extend myself and simplify my life by cutting down on the "extras" that I'm not getting paid to do like daily reports, curriculum, and cutting down on craft projects

• Only give receipts if given cash, otherwise have the client provide me with a receipt to sign which I fill out as soon as I am given the $ and then I hand it right back

• Reduce the number of daycare kids that I care for so that I don't feel overwhelmed

• And at the end of a hard day I pass the baby onto my DH, fill the tub with water and bubbles, grab a bottle of cheap wine and lock myself in the bathroom for a minimum of 1 hour. I tell my family that I'm giving myself a time-out.

I also schedule one night every other week for drinks with my female friends. We call it "therapy night" and I purposely avoid talking about daycare.
Also once every other week I have a date night with my DH. I found someone to trade weekends with and I'll drop the kids off at their house one weekend and watch their kids the next so they can have theirs.

The important thing is to sit back and think about WHY you aren't happy with doing DC. If your house is a mess or is being demolished is it because of lack of supervision or is it because you have too many kids for you to handle? Maybe it's just one or two particular children that are so unruly and misbehaved that are causing most of it and you need to replace them for new clients. I found that I had too much on my plate when I felt like this before so I decided to cut my numbers down to 6 instead of 8 kids (2 of them were my kids). When I did this I made a list of my clients in order of who I liked the best to the least. I realised that figuring out who I liked the least was easy and the rest were harder to pur in order. I let them go and my days immediately got better. The next client to go was a client who's schedule was difficult and who's rate was bringing in the less income. After that I found my groove and I like daycare again.

I suggest you do something similar and try it for a few weeks. If you still don't like it then maybe it is time for you to change your career. Good luck.

[mom2many]

On a positive note 4 of my daycare kids said they loved me today completely out of no where!!!!

AWWW...I love it when I'm at my wits end and something positive like that happens! Makes me feel like I'm doing something right!
Kids have a way of being that ray of sunshine to brighten our day!

[Unregistered]

I have been running my daycare now for over 5 years. I know that’s really not that long considering some of you have been running for decades, but I am only 25 years old so really it’s all I’ve ever done. I run by contract and try to keep everything organized and stay on top of things. But honestly I am burning out and I really just do not know what to do anymore!

When I wake up in the morning I am so unhappy that I have to open for the day. All week all I can think about is how I wish it were Friday. Honestly, at this moment in time I just hate my job! I hate having to share my home with 8 other families. I hate how families are constantly trying to break my contract policies. I hate hiding in the back yard on a Friday night to have a beer and being worried that someone might see me out in public drinking. I hate that I work 10-hour days with no honest break; even if the kids are sleeping I am still on the clock and have to be ready for any and all situations. I hate using my free time (or me time) to run daycare errands, write newsletters, write up receipts, write emails, answer texts and phone calls, make contract changes and so on and so forth. I hate all the extra cleaning the daycare causes for me and how much wear and tear it causes on the house. I hate that I have almost no PRIVACY. Ugh!

Am I the only provider that feels like this? I feel that it’s time that I start looking at other opportunities because I want to be happy in my career and even though I once was, I just don’t feel it anymore! L

I have been doing daycare for 10 years and FINALLY after December I am DONE for good. I have 3 kids of my own and expecting number 4 in the begining of the year and I can afford to just stay at home with the kids and hubby work. I loved the kids well most threw the years, didnt mind the cleaning, errands, emails, etc what I HATE about the job is dealing with some daycare parents who dont know how to follow rules, or parent there child. Go with what YOU want to do in life you will be much happier.

[momma2girls]

I have been doing daycare for 10 years and FINALLY after December I am DONE for good. I have 3 kids of my own and expecting number 4 in the begining of the year and I can afford to just stay at home with the kids and hubby work. I loved the kids well most threw the years, didnt mind the cleaning, errands, emails, etc what I HATE about the job is dealing with some daycare parents who dont know how to follow rules, or parent there child. Go with what YOU want to do in life you will be much happier.

I agree- I have provided daycare in my home now for 8 yrs. and I HATE dealing with STUPID I repeat STUPID parents, who disrespect you, who want you to change everything for their child, question you on everything, bad checks, not getting paid, question your rules, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. I have had to update my contract at least 30 times, specifying every last thing!! I have about about 2 yrs. to go til my youngest goes into Kindergarten, and I will be finished with it all as well!!!

[Unregistered]

wow! i"m sure i'd love to bring my kid to your daycare. How do you people who are so negative about daycare keep on providing it until you're FINALLY ABLE to quit? I feel so sorry for the children in your care! Quit now and give these kids a chance to go elsewhere and be loved - because if you're hateful toward the parents it WILL rub off on the children as well. They can tell if you are not happy w/ your job and w/ their parents, etc.