Does any one ever feel like they just want to walk way from family childcare?

[playfelt]

When we deal with mixed ages and are the only adult on staff so to speak it is hard to be in several places at once. Properly greeting a parent/child at the door, helping a toddler with the daily craft or just about to finish snack as a child arrives only to find out he is hungry because he has been up for a couple hours but they just didn't bother coming - guess who is really hungry by lunchtime because we just move on to next event. The not feeling appreciated is caused by the staggered arrivals because it can make the caregiver feel that the effort they put in to planning the craft, snack or lesson wasn't important enough to the family to get the child there in time to be a part of what we planned for them.

[Spixie33]

I feel like quitting every time there is 'one of those days' and I feel like just calling each parent and apologizing and saying I can't do it. Then the next day comes and usually becomes better again.

I think I strongly get the urge to go on Monster.ca or workopolis to look at other employment about every 4-6 weeks but then I see the salaries, calculate my own daycare expenses for my own kids into it and feel calmed down again.

I have some parents come later but they do have enough respect to call. If a parent doesn't call and I am expecting them then I will make an overly concerned call to them that sends them the message that I am worried if they are okay and that I was expecting them and that usually makes them feel guilty enough to apologize profusely and call from that point forward.

Most of the time I am okay if people want to come late as long as I know when. It is fine as long as it isn't a day we are going to Early Years or somewhere else. I hate having a baby that just had a BM and I want to change them but am waiting for the doorbell to ring and getting stuck in the 'should I do it or should I wait?" babies always have the best timing. Nothing like being in the middle of a potty session or a diaper change and you hear the door bell. ahhh

[samantha3]

thank you ladies. I feel much better today about the whole situation. I think I am going to think about it over the weekend and then go from there. I just feel really limited to what can happen in the mornings because I am always waiting for someone...

The phone call idea is a great one, I think I will try that as well as a gentle reminder that calling before 9am is helpful for me to plan my day for THEIR CHILDREN, lol

I guess I also find it funny because everything I do is for their children..,... hahaha at least I am laughing today