I've decided to close

[jazmic]

Hi ladies,

After thinking about it, I've decided to close my daycare for a bunch of reasons. I'm sitting here typing up an e-mail that I'm going to send to the parents. I'll follow it up with a phone call. I'm really not looking forward to the reactions. :( The families I have are all so great and I love them all. They're going to be so upset. I feel like I'm "breaking up" with them, you know?

Anyway, I just wanted to share. You guys have all been so awesome and I've gotten such good advice here. Thank you!

[apples and bananas]

I'm so sorry that you've come to that decision. I hope wonderful things are on the horizon for you.

Do you mind me asking why you decided to close?

[BrightEyes]

I am sorry to here that! I am sure you feel it is for the best though. I wish you all the best with your new adventure :)

[DisneyPrincess]

Please if you can, can you share with me how the parents took it after ? If they were rude to you ?? or understanding ??

[mimi]

It is said we can have 6-10 different careers in our lifetime. I hope your next one makes you feel complete, happy and content. You will be missed.:star:

[crafty]

Well good for your fo taking this scary step and beeing able to make drastic change that will make you happier in life. I assume this is why you are closing.

I wish you very understanding parents and that your transition goes smoothly. GOOD LUCK !!

[Other Mummy]

It is said we can have 6-10 different careers in our lifetime. I hope your next one makes you feel complete, happy and content. You will be missed.:star:

This is true. It's never easy closing a chapter in your life. Good luck in your future ventures and check in from time to time. I have an old friend who did daycare 10+ years ago. She laughs at my daycare stories cause she went thru very similar things (as we all do on this board :)

[jazmic]

@Apples I was just beginning to feel to cooped up in here and I think I'm suffering a bit from burn out. So I thought it would be best to close for now. I might decide to reopen at some point in the future, but I'm nowhere near making that decision yet.

@ Princess - I haven't told them yet. I'm hoping they'll be understanding when I do. I'm really nervous about it, because they've been truly great. But I need to do what's best for me at this point.

[Momof4]

I've changed careers a few times in my life and change is good sometimes. I wish you all the best in the new chapter in your life and a smooth transition from daycare. Do you have a new job lined up? Or can you take some time to relax for a while? Wishing you success.

[ECE53]

I recently closed my daycare and told all my parents personally at the end of the day, on a Friday. I did write them all a letter explaining why and giving them the details of the closure date and such. My parents took it well, some moms did get teary eyed. On my last day we all shed a few tears. My advice is do what is best for you and your family.

[jazmic]

I'm going to take some time to relax for a while. I'm looking forward to spending some time with my kids outside of the house this summer. Can't wait for the good weather to come!

[Momof4]

That sounds lovely Jazmic!

[DisneyPrincess]

Yes ALWAYS DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU !!! I too feel very odd sometimes and it is tough doing this job. One thing I was hoping is to be teamed up with other providers in the area and walk together, go to the park, get together even just to talk about things but... it is so not like that. Everyone has their own schedule and things to do after daycares hours and frankly no one gives a ?!&@ but about themselves. So it turns out to be a very lonely life.

Although I am running a great daycare I think, and everyone is satisfied (but one or two parents that gets on my nerves), I know I will follow your footsteps sooner then I think.

GOOD FOR YOU :)

[mom-in-alberta]

Sorry to hear, Jaz!! I hope you find some rest and contentment.
Who knows... you may be gone for NOW but not for GOOD. I took about a year off, made some changes and recently reopened. I feel better now than I have in a long time (about the daycare, anyway!! LoL)
Best of luck to you. :flower:

[jazmic]

Thanks so much, you guys!! :crying: I can't tell you how much you all have come to mean to me on this forum. I think I'm going to tell the parents this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

[jazmic]

*Update*

So I sent the e-mail and followed up with a phone call. They're disappointed, but they took it really well. I wasn't expecting them to get rude or anything, but I knew they'd be sad which is sometimes even harder to deal with than people reacting badly, you know? Anyway, I'll miss them, but now that they know and I know I'm not going to change my mind, I'm looking forward to being done. :)