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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Can Anyone Relate to This?
mncare 09:17 AM 08-09-2010
Or am I just awful?
I LOVE my kids, every one of them. Individually. But I do not necessarily like my job. I could go into lots of detail obviously but don't have time. I have a momentary lull while I am prepping lunch.
Am I the only one???
I LOVE my kids, every one of them. Individually. But I do not necessarily like my job. I could go into lots of detail obviously but don't have time. I have a momentary lull while I am prepping lunch.
Am I the only one???
mncare 09:22 AM 08-09-2010
I just wanted to add that I am not looking for judgement. I am looking for some advice to help me enjoy this more. This is my first year and I am struggling to enjoy it. Thanks.
momma2girls 09:24 AM 08-09-2010
Originally Posted by mncare:
Or am I just awful?
I LOVE my kids, every one of them. Individually. But I do not necessarily like my job. I could go into lots of detail obviously but don't have time. I have a momentary lull while I am prepping lunch.
Am I the only one???
there are definately days, I think every single one of us- thinks this!! Some parents do not have any respect for daycare providers, some children do not have respect, etc.. as well- I have been doing this for over 6 yrs. now, and there are many, many days I feel this way- is it worth it, etc? I do have one more child at home yet, so it is really nice to be able to stay at home with her.Or am I just awful?
I LOVE my kids, every one of them. Individually. But I do not necessarily like my job. I could go into lots of detail obviously but don't have time. I have a momentary lull while I am prepping lunch.
Am I the only one???
Lilbutterflie 09:47 AM 08-09-2010
Yes, I sometimes wonder why I chose to do this. Here are a few things that keep me going:
1. My kids get something I NEVER got with my parents: they get to stay home with me!
2. I love to see the "Aha!" moments with kids. When they learn to ride their tricycle for the first time, when they finally start to color in the lines, when they have learned to identify the letters in the alphabet. Even if it's not my own child, those moments are precious to me.
3. I have worked full time all of my life up until a year ago; and even though I have super rough days sometimes... it still beats what I was doing when I was working full time (the commute, the people, the boss, the fact that I was gone almost 11 hours a day).
We ALL feel discouraged with this job on a daily basis. But try to focus on the positive side of it! Hope this helps.
1. My kids get something I NEVER got with my parents: they get to stay home with me!
2. I love to see the "Aha!" moments with kids. When they learn to ride their tricycle for the first time, when they finally start to color in the lines, when they have learned to identify the letters in the alphabet. Even if it's not my own child, those moments are precious to me.
3. I have worked full time all of my life up until a year ago; and even though I have super rough days sometimes... it still beats what I was doing when I was working full time (the commute, the people, the boss, the fact that I was gone almost 11 hours a day).
We ALL feel discouraged with this job on a daily basis. But try to focus on the positive side of it! Hope this helps.
Janet 09:50 AM 08-09-2010
I don't think that I've ever met a provider who didn't have those days (or even time frames) where she felt like she wanted to quit. There's a million different reasons why it happens and I know that for myself, once I can isolate why I feel the way that I feel, then I can tackle the issue. For instance, if I am feeling unnappreciated by the parents, then I remind myself that it matters more to me that the kids appreciate me, and that makes me feel better. If I get bored, I pitch my lesson plan and just do other stuff that isn't boring me to death. When I feel like I'm not being challenged, then I teach myself something new that is not daycare related. That seems to help. Just remember that you're not alone!
judytrickett 09:56 AM 08-09-2010
Do I ever feel that way?? Um....have you been to my blog??
It's "normal" to have momentary lulls.
What you need to identify is WHY you get these? Are you feeling undervalued? Underpaid? Overworked? What is it that makes you feel this way?
Go and reflect and come back with the answer. And THEN we can help you better to get out of your funk.
It's "normal" to have momentary lulls.
What you need to identify is WHY you get these? Are you feeling undervalued? Underpaid? Overworked? What is it that makes you feel this way?
Go and reflect and come back with the answer. And THEN we can help you better to get out of your funk.
jen 10:15 AM 08-09-2010
I do think that the first year can be difficult. It is a HUGE change to ones way of life...an intrusion of sorts.
For me anyway, in time, I learned to set boundaries and create scheduleds that worked for me and for my family. That went along way to making daycare life more enjoyable.
That said, yes, there are day when I think might need a serious life overhaul.
For me anyway, in time, I learned to set boundaries and create scheduleds that worked for me and for my family. That went along way to making daycare life more enjoyable.
That said, yes, there are day when I think might need a serious life overhaul.
professionalmom 10:45 AM 08-09-2010
It's been less than a month since I had to shut down my home daycare (previous threads - basically, pregnancy-related medical issues) and I miss it already. Did I have days, weeks, or even months where I thought "who needs this?" Yep. We all do. Every job has it's pros and cons. This is no different. Sit and evaluate why you started in the first place, what it is you miss from your pre-daycare days, etc. If you miss the adult interactions and need more conversations that don't revolve around diapers, bottles, "feed me!", noisy toys, who hit who, glue, crayons, etc., then you need a break. Have a date night with your SO. Join a class (for when you are not open). Get a massage (MY personal fave!!!! 
). Take a long weekend.
If you do not feel like you are being challenged enough, take a challenging on-line course. If the parents are giving you a hard time, maybe it's time to re-evaluate your contract, make modification, and conference with the parents. If the kids are giving you a hard time, re-evaluate your schedule, activities, and discipline policy. Maybe you need different techniques.
If you are in a rut (happens to all of us - no matter what profession), shake things up a bit. Maybe a "spirit week" where everyday has a different theme: PJ day; red, white, blue day; crazy hair day; etc. Turn on the radio and blast some tunes and let the kids jump and bop around like goofballs - join in, they won't care if you can dance, everyone will have a great time. Grab some markers and let the kids decorate the playroom walls (don't worry you can paint over it if needed). Check out some new recipes online. Have a day where you do the schedule in reverse. The list goes on and on.
Like, Judy said, evaluate what is CAUSING the funk and then we can hone in on what to advise you to do to get out of it.
Oh, great, now I want to do my hair crazy, turn on the radio and dance till I drop, start decorating with markers, and just PARTY! And what's a party without PIZZA! Great, now I'm hungry.
). Take a long weekend.If you do not feel like you are being challenged enough, take a challenging on-line course. If the parents are giving you a hard time, maybe it's time to re-evaluate your contract, make modification, and conference with the parents. If the kids are giving you a hard time, re-evaluate your schedule, activities, and discipline policy. Maybe you need different techniques.
If you are in a rut (happens to all of us - no matter what profession), shake things up a bit. Maybe a "spirit week" where everyday has a different theme: PJ day; red, white, blue day; crazy hair day; etc. Turn on the radio and blast some tunes and let the kids jump and bop around like goofballs - join in, they won't care if you can dance, everyone will have a great time. Grab some markers and let the kids decorate the playroom walls (don't worry you can paint over it if needed). Check out some new recipes online. Have a day where you do the schedule in reverse. The list goes on and on.
Like, Judy said, evaluate what is CAUSING the funk and then we can hone in on what to advise you to do to get out of it.
Oh, great, now I want to do my hair crazy, turn on the radio and dance till I drop, start decorating with markers, and just PARTY! And what's a party without PIZZA! Great, now I'm hungry.