Am I In Over My Head?! First Post :)

[DaycareLady]

Thank you SOO much everyone, I really really appreciate all the advice and support and I am so thankful for this group and all of YOU! I actually cried reading the responces lol just because I haven't had anyone to talk to about this!! I am a big planner (meaning I always prepare everything the night before with my own family/kids...be it next days meals, activities, etc!). I also have an extremely supportive husband that is off work early every other day and is going to take our kids downstairs or out or will help me with the daycare kids....which makes me feel alot better! I will just have to see how it goes and hope for the best and like some of you mentioned, cut myself a break if I don't think I can handle it long term (with that many kids)! I for sure don't want to burn out, and I did make this move so I could be with my kids...but I also have to make enough money to be able to stay home with them! We have budgeted, cut back and sacrificed a lot already but I still need to bring in a certain amount of money. I couldn’t go back to my job (doing intensive one on one intervention with children with Autism) and then come home and NOT be burned out! I know times might get crazy with this many kids, and there may be times that I need to comfort another child instead of my own when they want it…but at least I am there and they can see me and it is a heck of a lot better than going back to work! I also made my hours only 7:30-5…most kids won’t be dropped off until 8:30-9 and picked up by 4:30…I think this will help too!

[Skysue]

Your hours are so awesome, don't sweat it like others said once you get everyone on the same routine it will be smooth sailing. When I started out I had 2 under 1 year and four 2 year olds (including my own). The 1 st few months, I had some crazy busy days but once I got to know each child's habits and they got comfortable with mine it was smooth sailing.

It is so amazing the things we can do, you already have tons of patients and a special heart, it takes amazing people to work with special needs kids.

Getting a great stroller or large Wagon will be paramount for your summers though. Do you have a large back yard? That's 1/2 the battle with ones as young as yours.

Good luck!

[playfelt]

Give yourself permission to not be perfect with programming and activities even forgetting them and just having play until you get the routines organized. As you add each new child it will be an adjustment of schedule again so take those weeks slowly.

[bright sparks]

Thats Great advise playfelt

[Inspired by Reggio]

Congratulations on your new endeavor ~ I am sure you are going to rock at this with your background and experience ~ it is just a matter of finding a routine and groove that supports the needs of everyone in your group and that will come with tweaking here and there initially and before you know it you will be sailing through your days!

I agree with the others on cutting yourself some slack at trying to 'do it all' in the beginning ~ when I was first starting out my focus on was the children learning to be comfortable here and find our groove together ... once we had that down pat and everyone was happy and eating and sleeping and able to get outside and back inside for just enjoy some free play time together happily without me having to give too much support to anyone ~ than I added in more supervision intense activities and options for them to explore different things!

Every time I have a newbie start I admit that 'programming' often takes a back burner to helping the new child adjust to the routines and being a part of the group and learning the social rules just with 'standard free play' options out and once that is mastered than we go back to normal program because than my attention is not so focused on supporting the newbie ... the older kids learn to be empathetic about that because hey it was not so long ago they were 'new' and needed me a little more in the beginning too

Think positive and envision enjoying relaxing days being spent with your crew with everyone happily engaged throughout moving smoothly from transition to transition and that will become your reality!

[DaycareLady]

Oh girls, again, thank you SOOO much!! You have no idea what each and everyone of your words mean to me! I really appreciate the support and advice!! <3