Does it get better?

[playfelt]

A lot of it comes down to your organization too in the sense of when things are streamlined it frees up more time and that translates into less stress. There is no right or wrong way to streamline as it totally depends on everything that is going on at the time for you. If you can identify the worst times of the day maybe some would have suggestions to try.

Don't feel you have to overdo it in terms of crafts and activities and outings etc. keep things simple and they will thrive just as much.

[gravy_train]

Awe - I am right there with you, CrazyEight! I ask myself whether it is worth it on a regular basis and have learned a couple of techniques that I'll share with you. First, though, how old are the children in your care? My group is quite young and I find it really challenging because they take from me all day long and the giving back is minimal. Because of this I have learned to book some time just for myself at least once a week - sometimes I go for a drink at my local pub, sometimes I go for a massage, sometimes I go to the library - it doesn't have to cost money. The other night I closed the door to the bathroom, put some music on and had a nice, hot bath.
Through this site I have also learned not to stress out as much if I haven't had time to vacuum and mop one day, or if things aren't perfectly in their place. The parents just want to see their kids happy at the end of the day and that's all that matters.
I don't bother with intricate activities that take a lot of energy to set up. We paint, finger paint, play with play dough, sometimes I put water in tupperware containers with little treasures in them, freeze them, and then give the kids a bowl of luke warm water and some plastic spoons to dig the treasure out.
Another thing I have learned to do is multitask and try to keep my daycare stuff only during daycare hours. If I am makign muffins for snack, I sit the kids in their high chairs, give them some flour and water in separate cups along with a bowl each and some spoons and let them help me bake (of course all they've done is mix flour and water together but they LOVE it and they feel like they are helping).
Embrace freeplay and use it to do some laundry, read the paper, check your emails, or just sit and enjoy a cup of tea.
Figure out how long you need to do daycare for your family and start organizing an exit strategy. It really helps me to revisit my financial and personal goals and see what things I need to work on, etc. in order to get where I need to be when my daycare closes.
I might be reading too much into it but with your husband's shift work I assume that you are the primary caregiver for your kids? That alone can be very taxing and sometimes we lose sight of who we are as women when we are constantly accommodating our families and putting everyone first. this was my biggest issue in my first year of daycare and I completely burnt myself out within 9 months and even ended up getting pneumonia. I gave everything to my job and my family and it took me getting very sick to realize that my work/life balance was waaay off.
If your husband's schedule doesn't allow for you to get out for some adult time in the evenings, start looking for a babysitter in your neighbourhood who can come over for a few hours and watch your kids so you can have some time alone.
I still find the day to day stressful and actually just annoying sometimes but in my case the pros outweigh the cons so I will stick with it until I've reached my goal and am ready to close.
I hope this helps and doesn't sound too jumbled!

[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.