Is this a stressful job for you??

[Other Mummy]

It is definitely a balancing act. Most days I'm working from 6:30am - 10:00pm. This includes caring for my own family of 5. We hired a local lady that does school runs with her vehicle for our 2 children so bus/school runs would not be an issue. Yes, it eats into our budget, but I cannot imagine hiking the 15 min. walk uphill both ways with 5 dck's and my own 3.5yr old. Is this an option for you? Perhaps a mom that is already doing the bus run with her own children?

Nap is non negotiable at my house as well. There are a couple of children that either nap for a short duration, or don't nap at all. They stay quite in their playpens/beds until naptime is over.

Don't think it gets easier. But you certainly learn how to juggle and balance and prioritize. You don't want to burn out in this profession. You need to make yourself a priority.

[nschildcare]

I totally agree with seeing if someone else can do the bus pick up. Is it your child? Are they able to walk it themselves? I was this way last year, trying to pick up my kids from school. This year I decided to let them walk home by themselves and it is so much better. They are 6 and 7 this year. It cut out a huge amount of my daily stress right there.

As for naps, set your schedule and be consistent. If my kids don't nap the whole time, fine, but they know to stay quiet. If they wake up early I will take them a few books, etc. It helps to spread them out if you have the space. I was completely frazzled until I realized that a certain few were keeping the others up. I have 2 that can be in the same room and 2 that are separated. This helps to make sure everyone has their space. I spend the first 20 minutes of nap (once every 10 mins) going in to remind them to put their head down, please be quiet their friends are sleeping, etc) and then they are either quiet or asleep. If they wake up early, I will take them some books to look at. With non-nappers, I require them to lie quietly for 30 minutes. If they are still awake, I will bring them a book to look at in their quiet spot. Then after an hour they can get up and do something quietly. I always have non-nappers in a different area from nappers. I always tell them that rest time is non-negotiable but that they don't have to sleep.

When I am feeling completely overwhelmed with my day, the things that can turn it around are:
1. Putting on some music and letting the kids dance. They love it.
2. Going outside. Even the days when I dread the idea of getting them all dressed. It is a perfect way to burn off extra energy and a great way for a breather, literally.

For you: during rest time - sit. Read a book. Do some yoga. Watch a movie. Relax. Things don't have to be perfect every day. I am a stickler for meals and naps being at the same time but the rest of the day flows from one activity to the next. If the kids are playing together nicely at free time, I'll leave them and save the painting for tomorrow. If the kids are really into playdough and we are missing stories, that's ok. The kids won't know the difference. Can your husband help out? Cook dinner? Help with housework? My husband will cook supper if he is home which helps immensely at the end of the day. We always make lots so that there will be leftovers for daycare lunch the next day.

Good luck!