Burnout: do you ever suffer from it?

[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!