Daycare.com Forum - View Single Post - Help Me So That I Don’t Quit!

Originally Posted by erinalexmom:
Ive only been doing this since June but I tell ya I am really questioning this choice! So I thought I would list all the problems I have with running this daycare and I thought some of you wonderful folks on here might be able to help?
1)A few days a week I have to open at 5am. I HATE getting up that early and I dont care for the child too much. Plus its a school ager and I dont like school agers too much.

I would say then you make it work for you. If you are going to do this you have to make it so that it doesn't make your life miserable. Tell the parents you will no longer be able to open so early, and if they can't make other arrangements then they will have to find other care. I don't open until 7. That is what works for me and my family.

2)The children are tearing up my house! One little girl ripped a hole in my 80 year old rug, One child stained my couch with milk,ect. I really want a seperate space for my daycare. I am thinking of renovating part of my basement. But I am wondering if this will make a difference to my happiness or not? Has anyone had to 'share' space then was able to seperate? Were you happier after the seperation?

I use my family room for most of my daycare time. I do not allow any food or drink outside of the kitchen/dining room. I don't allow sippy cups to be carried around. The kids can ask for a drink if they are thirsty, and we also have very regular drink times. How on earth did the little girl rip up your rug?!

3)I have one boy who will not stop hitting everyone! He was in time out 4 times the other day just for not keeping his hands to himself and one day he bit my son so hard one day that he drew blood! I got a playyard last Friday and so today I have just kept him there all day because I am honestly just so sick of not being able to even leave the room to go to the bathroom without worrying what is going to happen. It would be different if the other kids did something to him but they dont and I can be sitting right beside him and he still hits them for no reason!

Sounds like this little guy needs to be sat at the dining room table with his own things to do away from the group. I had a boy who was like this and the kitchen table became his new home. I gave him coloring books, blocks, small toys to keep him occupied. It was fun for a while but he grew tired of it quickly. So when I allowed him to go back into the room, I reminded him that if he couldn't be kind, he would end up right back at the table. We didn't have much issue after that. The play yard will probably make a difference, you just have to follow thru and make sure they know that what you say you mean!

4) I have one baby who I cannot term but he cries off and on all nap time! I was thinking of getting out my IPOD and putting it in during the naptimes he's here (he's only here 2 days a week) then I can take out the IPOD and listen for him every few min? What do you think?

I say use the ipod, and just keep him where you can see him. How old is he? If he is over 6 months, you could just let him cry. He will get it eventually.
5) I work a 12 hour day and that is WAY too long I think. When I worked at the hospital (Im a nurse) I worked 12's but it was only 3 days a week. Its totally different, also I probably put in more than 12 because of all the cleanup and prep involved. Here's my schedule of families:
1) family #1 school agers 5am (2 or 3 days a week)
2) family #2 (2school agers and one little) 6:15am
3) family #3 (one little who is the hitter) 6:30am
4) family #4 (one little) who comes at 730am (2days a week)
5) family #5 (one little) who comes at 8am
6) family #6 (my nephew) who comes at 8am

Help please? I am about to give up. I hate to though until I give it an honest chance KWIM? Because I have a few kids that are just fine I also love being able to be home with my kids.

I am only open 10 hours. That is long enough. Again, you have to make it work for you. Good luck!