Default Style Register
Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Major Burnout!!
Unregistered 11:37 AM 05-07-2013
I have been doing this for 15 years and am having major burnout! really feel like it is time for me to close this chapter of my life, but have to work so need to get looking for another job.
I just don't think I can make it through the summer. So tired of crying and messes, parents that just don't care and make so many demands!
Don't know where to look for work or how apotential employer will view my child care business for the last 15 years.
HELP!!!
Reply
melilley 11:44 AM 05-07-2013
This may not help, but could you see yourself working in a center environment? Maybe if you still like working with children, you could go to a center where there are others to help when it gets stressful and you don't have to handle parents by yourself! I have worked in centers for 14 years and now have my own in home childcare. It was nice to have other people to help and talk to and also help with the parents and I sometimes miss that. Don't get me wrong, I did get burnt out at the center and am happy having my own business, but I do miss having others around other than just the kids. Or do you want to do something different all together?
Reply
Unregistered 11:47 AM 05-07-2013
I am ready for something different. I have loved working with the children and watching them grow through these years, but time for a change.
Reply
slorey 11:47 AM 05-07-2013
I don't have much advice to offer you, but I can sympathize with you. My heart has finally convinced my head that closing my daycare is the best thing for me right now (now if I could just get my husband on board with that plan). I have been doing this for only 5 years but I just do not enjoy it anymore. I care about the kids but I have just had enough. My problem is trying to figure out what I want to do instead. I used to teach and would have loved to go back to that but the education system in our state is a mess right now and I don't think I would enjoy that either right now. I wish you the best in your job search. Remember, you haven't just been a child care provider these past 15 years, but a small business owner as well. Maybe employers will look at it that way, depending on what career path you want to take next. Good luck!
Reply
melilley 11:49 AM 05-07-2013
Originally Posted by slorey:
Remember, you haven't just been a child care provider these past 15 years, but a small business owner as well. Maybe employers will look at it that way, depending on what career path you want to take next. Good luck!
So true!
Reply
MaritimeMummy 11:50 AM 05-07-2013
15 years? Wow, that's admirable! I only made it 20 months before burning out and getting out of it!

I can tell you, potential employers really like people who have worked for themselves, based on my interview experience!
Reply
Starburst 12:02 PM 05-07-2013
Man, it seems like a lot of people on this site are closing their business.
Reply
wahmof3 12:13 PM 05-07-2013
Originally Posted by Starburst:
Man, it seems like a lot of people on this site are closing their business.
I find that interesting. I do know that I would if I could.
Reply
crazydaycarelady 12:16 PM 05-07-2013
I think any employer would view your dc business favorably. You were a business owner for 15 years. That means you worked hard, kept clients, and are stable!

Is there any way you could take Fridays off this summer? I have found it possible because parents can usually find a high school or college girl to come in once per week. I have done it the last few years and it really helps with my attitude!
Reply
Blackcat31 12:19 PM 05-07-2013
Originally Posted by Starburst:
Man, it seems like a lot of people on this site are closing their business.
Just as providers need assistance with opening, running and maintaining their businesses, they sometimes need assistance with closing up shop.

There are constant threads about it...here are a bunch:

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...losing+daycare
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 12:26 PM 05-07-2013
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
I find that interesting. I do know that I would if I could.
Me, too. I enjoy what I do but I'd enjoy being a stay-at-home-mom FAR more.
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 12:26 PM 05-07-2013
Originally Posted by crazydaycarelady:
I think any employer would view your dc business favorably. You were a business owner for 15 years. That means you worked hard, kept clients, and are stable!

Is there any way you could take Fridays off this summer? I have found it possible because parents can usually find a high school or college girl to come in once per week. I have done it the last few years and it really helps with my attitude!
That's a great idea! What are your hours? Would it be possible to cut back some?
Reply
MamaBearCanada 12:28 PM 05-07-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Me, too. I enjoy what I do but I'd enjoy being a stay-at-home-mom FAR more.
Me too!
Reply
MNMommy2 07:41 PM 05-07-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Me, too. I enjoy what I do but I'd enjoy being a stay-at-home-mom FAR more.
Ditto! I miss my SAHM days SOOO much. I am close to being there again, God willing!

Good luck on your job search. I agree w/ the others, it is not as though you were not working all those years, you were working HARD I am sure! There are so many things you could put a great spin on, I would imagine.
Reply
AmyKidsCo 07:58 PM 05-07-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Me, too. I enjoy what I do but I'd enjoy being a stay-at-home-mom FAR more.
I kind of would too, but we can't afford it so this is the next-best. At the same time I do love my job, I just wish we weren't so dependent on my income.
Reply
LaLa1923 03:58 AM 05-08-2013
Originally Posted by Starburst:
Man, it seems like a lot of people on this site are closing their business.
I was thinking this too...
Reply
LaLa1923 03:59 AM 05-08-2013
Originally Posted by crazydaycarelady:
I think any employer would view your dc business favorably. You were a business owner for 15 years. That means you worked hard, kept clients, and are stable!

Is there any way you could take Fridays off this summer? I have found it possible because parents can usually find a high school or college girl to come in once per week. I have done it the last few years and it really helps with my attitude!

Reply
Evansmom 05:51 AM 05-08-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
I have been doing this for 15 years and am having major burnout! really feel like it is time for me to close this chapter of my life, but have to work so need to get looking for another job.
I just don't think I can make it through the summer. So tired of crying and messes, parents that just don't care and make so many demands!
Don't know where to look for work or how apotential employer will view my child care business for the last 15 years.
HELP!!!
You can do it! I think you need to be really proactive on describing your job experience and qualifications from the last 15 years. Like some if the other responses said you are a small business owner and ran it successfully for a good long time which means you have many skills an employer would value.

If I were you before I started closing or even announcing closing I would collect letters of recommendation from as many parents as I could. Then write up a simple résumé and cover letter and put all these things together so you can have easy access to them when you go to interview.

Don't describe your work experience on your résumé or in an interview as "oh I stayed home and babysat kids for 15 years". Talk it up! Get detailed about how hard you have worked! Some things you could say are:
Successful small business owner for 15 years
Public relations and advertising experience (advertising for spots)
Conducted interviews with potential clients
Planned daily, weekly and monthly age-appropriate curriculum
Implemented curriculum
Created daily routines for multi-age group
Directed employees on daily tasks and company policies and procedures (if you had any)
Kept meticulous tax and inventory records
Responsible for weekly supply planning, ordering and shopping

See? All wonderful skills that I'm sure you did over the course of your self employment and those are just off the top of my head. I'm sure you could come up with tons of others

Good luck!
Reply
Unregistered 07:04 AM 05-08-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
That's a great idea! What are your hours? Would it be possible to cut back some?
I am open from 7-5, M-F. I don't think cutting back will help at this point. I am really ready for a change!
Reply
Unregistered 07:08 AM 05-08-2013
Originally Posted by Evansmom:
You can do it! I think you need to be really proactive on describing your job experience and qualifications from the last 15 years. Like some if the other responses said you are a small business owner and ran it successfully for a good long time which means you have many skills an employer would value.

If I were you before I started closing or even announcing closing I would collect letters of recommendation from as many parents as I could. Then write up a simple résumé and cover letter and put all these things together so you can have easy access to them when you go to interview.

Don't describe your work experience on your résumé or in an interview as "oh I stayed home and babysat kids for 15 years". Talk it up! Get detailed about how hard you have worked! Some things you could say are:
Successful small business owner for 15 years
Public relations and advertising experience (advertising for spots)
Conducted interviews with potential clients
Planned daily, weekly and monthly age-appropriate curriculum
Implemented curriculum
Created daily routines for multi-age group
Directed employees on daily tasks and company policies and procedures (if you had any)
Kept meticulous tax and inventory records
Responsible for weekly supply planning, ordering and shopping

See? All wonderful skills that I'm sure you did over the course of your self employment and those are just off the top of my head. I'm sure you could come up with tons of others

Good luck!
I don't want to let any of the families know I am thinking about closing yet. I need an income and will need to stay open until I find another job. I do like your list. I had most of these on my resume, but nice to see a list to remind me when I do get an interview somewhere.
Wish I could be a stay at home mom, LOL, but at the age my kids are, college, I would go nuts here by myself and we def need my income to make ends meet.
Reply
lolaland 07:30 AM 05-08-2013
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
I am open from 7-5, M-F. I don't think cutting back will help at this point. I am really ready for a change!
Knowing that you are ready for a change is already half way there!

My only question is: with the schedule you have in your daycare, how will you be able to search for a job and go to interviews and still keep it a secret to parents that you're closing and looking for another job? You can enroll online but looking for a job means many times have to fill up forms in different places... also, not easy to get interviews scheduled for weekends or nights... I find it very hard to find a job being stuck in your home for so many hours... unless you have an assistant, of course!

Good luck !
Reply
Unregistered 09:23 AM 05-08-2013
That is a huge issue! not sure how or what, but I am determined to find something!
Reply
Tags:burn out, closing daycare
Reply Up