Burnout: do you ever suffer from it?

[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!

[sunnydays]

My dck's are all under 2, so I do have to be there with them and watching all the time, but I do not feel the need to be interacting with them at all times. I do try to teach them things and spend a little time with each child throughout the day, as well as sing songs, read stories, etc. However, not only is free-play good for us, but I believe that kids NEED it and need lots of it! I think that's how they learn most, not through circle time and adult-directed activities; it's not that I am against that, but I just think that until 3 or 4, it is not necessary as everything they do is a learning opportunity.

[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.

[playfelt]

Laundry is one thing that works well during daycare - worked better when I had a basement playroom and a basement laundry but with it on the mainfloor I work it around our day. I put in a tub as we head to the basement. When we come up an hour later for lunch I put it in the dryer. It dries while I cook lunch and I fold it while they eat. Put in the second load, it goes in the dryer and comes out and gets folded before they get up from snack. With four kids and one of them in sports and one special needs the baskets piled up faster than I could wash them but clothes during the week and all the bedding on the weekend.

[mom-in-alberta]

TOTALLY WITH YOU ABOUT THE FLOORS!!!
I don't know how it happens, but.... ewwww. We also just got 2 dogs (in springtime!!) so all of a sudden I feel like both my carpet and kitchen flooring are dirty ALL the time.
On that note, I forgot to say; sometimes I am cleaning while the kids are around! Everyone is in their booster/high chair finishing snack, and I will run a vacuum over the living room real quick. I can see them, they can see me, we sing a silly song if someone doesn't like the noise.
I like to call it multitasking.
And yes, never forget the value of free play. You would never leave 3 one year olds to their own devices unattended, but that's why naptime is awesome at that age.You can usually get an hours or two that way. But 2 and 3 year olds can begin to play independently for periods of time, absolutely.
What a great idea about hopping in for a quick refreshing shower. Looking back on the times that I have done that, I agree that it helps big-time. Everything else be damned, "Momma" needs some me time. Then the rest of the evening can go on with a more calm and relaxed parent.
PS> Yes, this job is way more demanding, both physically and mentally, than others give it credit. I think everyone thinks of their one or two children, who have grown up together, and are in their own environment, and goes "Hmm, can't be that tough." But double (or triple) the number of kids, and you get ten times the amount of mayhem, hahaha!! Plus, these kids are not siblings, they are strangers in a different setting. Totally different equation. SIGH... thank goodness for this forum, indeed.

[Spixie33]

Playfelt - I admire your ability to do laundry during daycare hours. i used to be able to get a load done during the nap but in my part of Ontario we now have Time of Use pricing so I can no longer do laundry during the day. I could only put away stuff I have washed and dried the night before. The rate for electricity use during the day is pretty steep now.

I do occassionally manage to hang some of my kids' clothes while the dck are playing but rarely. They come find me pretty quick and get in the middle of it or say they want me to come and see something etc

Mom In Alberta - not only do the sticky floors bother me but I almost have an anxiety attack when dck arrive wearing white socks. It is a lot of pressure because I worry that their parents will look at the bottom of these socks and judge how clean my floors are !!!

[gcj]

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

[foxybrown]

After 7 years of doing home daycare, I feel the same way. My daycare day used to begin at 7 and end at 5:30, and now I open at 7:30 and close at 4:30. It's a tough job. I found that I was losing patience with my youngest. My sister has a home daycare as well, and thankfully, takes my dude a couple of days a week, which gives me a bit more 'me' time. I try to clean up while the kids are awake as well, to maximize free time. Hang in there!!