Most people do not understand what a challenge it is to operate a home daycare out of your house. You are always on the go and at the end of the day, you clean up the daycare area and switch over to family life.

My husband switched jobs in the past year and sometimes works until 7:30 pm at night so I'm responsible for well, basically everything: housework, paying bills, groceries, laundry, and homework so I can sympathize with you. The daycare is tiring some days but I'm there for my daughter when she needs me at school and at home. When she was little, the cost of me going to work and paying childcare would have had me signing over my paycheck to the provider so that's how I started: I can say that I was there for her(and when it's a really long day, that's my one thought).

As for the lack of support, it's tough when people don't understand. Some will say that all you're doing is just babysitting kids so how hard can it be? Anyone who has ever had to negogiate with 3 2 yr olds who want the same toy at the exact same time, knows better. My response is that I wish someone would tell Revenue Canada that so I don't have to pay my own CPP and keep all those receipts.

The best thing that could have happened for me, well it wasn't the best thing, was when my husband was injured on his old job. He injured his back so he was home for about a month and a half. He was in a lot of pain so movement consisted of lying on the bed or the sofa. The daycare kids were great with him except they wanted to play doctor. When he finally went back to work, this is what he said, "No offense, but I could not do this job. How do you do it?" He had an idea it was hard work but until he saw it first hand, day in day out, did he get it.

Every daycare provider has days where they wonder what was I thinking when I decided to do this? There are also the days where you wonder why the kids can't be this well behaved every day. Those are the good times. Some people will crash and burnout. The best thing you can do is to decide what you can change and what you can't. If you can limit the daycare to certain areas, do it. If you have to change your hours of operation, do it. If you have a family that is really stressing you out, find one that respects you. Take some days off now and then. If you can afford it, hire a helper. If you're still miserable, close the daycare. You're doing not only what is best for you but the children you care for. Try to give at least a month's notice before you shut down(where I live that is the standard unless it's a medical condition that you have). You're not alone. Best of luck.