Burnout: do you ever suffer from it?

[Spixie33]

Oh and clean the bathroom sink every day?? lol.....no can do. I am lucky if I get to it once a week ...the laundry....well that is even worse to talk about. It piles up ! I am so lucky and happy if by Saturday I can see some square footage of my counters again and the laundry room - lol
By the time the daycare leaves, I cook or get dinner going, do homework with my kids or take them to their activities it is a crazy time where I can barely run the vacuum and mop if I am lucky. Mopping is almost a daily thing here. I hate sticky floors and I feel every day the floor is sticky once the dck leave.

[mamabear]

I used to feel guilty too just letting the kids play, but then I realized something. If we "train" them right, they learn the rules and learn how to play nicely, then our jobs can be quite...simple at times. I find I can sit and watch them play, I don't have to hover or constantly be on the floor with them.

Definitley put your feet up while they're napping! That's my favorite time of day...have a cup of coffee and enjoy the silence...hopefully.

I was talking with my sister about working outside the home and I know I'd be more tired that way. While I'm home I can keep the house relatively clean and have supper cooked for my family. Not to mention no commuting, coffee whenever I want and sitting in the backyard in the summer! When it gets you down try to remember the perks!

[jam560]

I have been doing daycare for 25 years now so I can hear all of what you are all saying. I have raised three of my own daughters now and they grew up in daycare. They are well rounded, laid back and successful in careers now, and they even thank growing up in a daycare for that. They are unselfish because they have shared everything their entire lives, even their Mom. I have a daughter with a degree in Fine Arts presently going to do her Masters Degree, I have one that just graduated as a Teacher, and another that is so successful in public relations. They all thank the upbringing they had, although not always happy having a house full of kids especially in those teenage years but the education they received was like no other. I am a strong believer that there is only one time in your life that you have the time to develop your creativity and social skills and that you can do things without a schedule (eventhough I keep a schedule) and free play is underestimated. Keep the organized play and craft times when it works but I have had the same experiences with the different age groups...I now do "special times of year" crafts rather than try and squeeze out a craft every day when the others are sleeping! I have had parents come in asking me to keep up with their alphabet and numbers and push on education at all times....guess what...what they learn socially in those first three years is like no other time in their lives and it takes them a long long way. Social skills are just as important as academic skills especially in the earlier years. Burn out yes...but the grass is always greener. So many times I though of changing careers but you know what, the rewards are every smile and hug I get, its worth it, and I love it! hang in there everyone, there are up and down days in every career! well I may have 25 years in a daycare but this is my first time on a forum so hopefully I am doing this right!

[sunnydays]

Thanks jam560; it's so nice to have confirmation of my own beliefs from an experienced provider. I feel like there is way too much pressure on parents and daycare providers to create super kids who can read, write and create works of art before they are toilet trained

[mlc1982]

Lately, I have been feeling the same way --- burnt out! I often wonder if I am doing the right thing by keeping my daycare running but know it's the best thing for my kids.

I think part of the problem is that I have put too much pressure on myself to be the person to teach the kids academic skills or keep them occupied with crafts/activites. With my own kids, I have an age range of 9 months - 2 1/2. I am slowly learning that free play is wonderful and there is no harm in it. Knowing that I am not constantly thinking of a new activity or craft to do with the kids has taken a lot of the stress away. I will do something the odd time but for the most part, we do a lot of indoor and outdoor free play. I wish the parents could understand more that this is a good thing for their children.

[gcj]

Jam56, wow. I want to keep this handy for the tougher days. Brought a tear to my eye. Thank you infinitely!