Does it get better?

[gravy_train]

Also I find just making connections with other adults throughout the day is really helpful because I don't feel as alone - go on facebook and chat with someone when the kids are napping or come on here and connect with us :-).

[Spixie33]

That's great advice about not taking on too many kids at once. I did three kids for my first two years. Then I added a fourth. Then another 9 months went by before I added a 5th.

It is a big difference even between 4 and 5 kids

I also suggest making friends with another dcp and go for walks together in the morning or meet at the park....that sort of interaction will go a long way towards saving your sanity and making you feel refreshed

[5 Little Monkeys]

Everyone has given great advice! I think if it were me, I would be to write out the pros and cons of working from home vs the pros and cons of working out of the home. Take a good look at both and decide what will be best for you, your family, your finances and most importantly your mental health!! We only get one life and you don't want to waste it doing a job you don't truly love.

If you can go down to less kids or re-arrange your day so it's "new", do that and see if it helps? Good luck!!

[Sassygirl]

Big Hugs~

We have ALL been where you are at some point. Its quite easy to burn on doing this kind of work which isn't always rewarding. Add on if you have young children of your own and a husband who works a lot of hours. This winter has made things alot worse as well with not being able to get out as much that can add on more negative feelings.
I think that the others made alot of great suggestions. First of all sit down and make a list of pros and cons, take an honest look at your finances. I still do that once in a while when I am starting to feel burnt out and it always sends me back to this business.
If there is 1 particular family causing too much stress, let them go! Its amazing how the group dynamics can change.
Try and take time for yourself. I know for me that is very hard to do. My husband works alot of hours and I also have 4 other children, the older 3 have activities 3 evenings a week so its always a rush to get the dck out and have dinner and then I am home with my youngest who is 22 months old and quite demanding not to mention I am 8 months pregnant.
I also go with the flow quite a bit now and don't put alot of stress on keeping my house super clean or trying alot of messy crafts with the kiddos (all 18-24 months of age). If I have a high energy day I go with it and get as much done as I feel that I can. If its a low energy day, I lay on the couch with the kiddos and read and sing songs and watch a little more tv than usual. That is okay!
Keep in mind that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. For me its when this baby arrives and my husband will be off on parental leave for 6 months and the warmer weather will be here. One more month!
Big hugs to you!!!

[Dreamalittledream]

I feel for you! I am in my 4th year and can honestly say my first year was the hardest. It has gotten much better over time. Great advice to embrace free time; they learn so much during that time. I also make it a practice to close my door at the end of my daycare day and that's it. Everything related to daycare is done during daycare hours and during nap time I spend time with my feet up and a cup of tea to decompress. Also, my whole reason for opening, staying home with my children no longer applies...they're in school and to be honest...sigh of relief. There goes my parent of the year award...but for me, my own son was my stress in my day...buttons!! Now, after school time is fun! I missed him all day. Explore what is really bugging you...do you need to term that one troublemaker? One day I cleared out all of the battery operated and noisy toys...wow, what a difference! I can assure you, for me, it got better

[mickyc]

One day I cleared out all of the battery operated and noisy toys...wow, what a difference! I can assure you, for me, it got better

Ha ha, I sold my huge box of musical instruments the first year!! They make enough noise as it is!! LOL

[5 Little Monkeys]

I have a musical bucket but it comes out for a period of time lol. A past parent gave me this tip....put tape over the "speaker" on the toys that have batteries. It really cuts down the noise level!! Some toys have volume control but the kids always put it to the loudest so I tape the speaker and also put tape over the volume control so they can't switch it lol.