I always put my family first, (in the convo with the parent) I would give her enough time to find someone else and maybe even do a little exploring for them if you can (just to help out) but I would inform them it seems to be weighing on your time with the children, i.e. the early hours and long days are taking a tole on you, you've decided in October? (whenever) you will be changing your hours to 8-5:30 (whatever) and you have deeply enjoyed her child, but your family must come first. Do you think there is a way she could do the am's and maybe you could still take this girl in the after school hours? that way you dont have to lose her all together? either way...this job is tough, its tough to handle all these kids and families and handle your own, its tough to find energy at the end of a long day to spend quality time with your own family. Its a juggle and sometimes extreamly hard to stay balanced, but I agree with you when you said you decided to stay at home for your kids, it IS the right choice.
I always make it a point through the week to plan fun things with my kids, rent a movie they want to see, take them for ice cream, go to the beach, camp out in the back yard, invite friends over...and no matter how tired I am, I push my self to keep my word, they are the most important people in my life, I have to let them know through the time I MAKE SURE I have with them. !!!!