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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Just Feeling Stressed....
cheerfuldom 10:24 AM 04-28-2014
I have to make some changes to my daycare and it involves interviewing for summer/temp spots as well as a permanent spot in the fall. I hate interviewing because the last few interviews were definitely awkward. The first one was two snobby parents that I gave a chance to against my better judgment and no surprise, they left after two weeks trial and paid for a nanny. Their daughter was a spoiled princess dressed to the nines every day. The other parents were a little odd but nice, it is just that they clutched their toddler like I was the devil. They have been here now for several months and their child, no surprise, is a bit high maintenance and freaks out if he is touched by the other kids. I am trying to work through it and had it all ironed out for a couple weeks and all of a sudden, he is back to crying a good part of the day 
so back to square one. by the time i get this worked out, he will go to part time for the summer.
so now i am interviewing, dealing with some demanding kids and may have to let go of a long time family. their child will be by far the oldest (4.5) and the only one not napping in the fall.....no one for her to play with and I have to keep her quietly entertained every day during nap (aka my break time!) she is a nice kid but it just isnt the right fit anymore but i need to keep her during the summer because i am losing some teachers kids. just dreading having to term come fall. i really dont want to try and keep a 4 year old busy and quiet every day.
and my husband is stressing because of how unreliable daycare income can be. I do my best to keep up my end of the income but you all know, its unpredictable.
sometimes this job just really is too much but we never get a break from it. i am a mom of four, i am never off duty. i really need a vacation and have a rare three days off in May. havent had a vacation for three years! all my time off was used when my two youngest were born.
so back to square one. by the time i get this worked out, he will go to part time for the summer. so now i am interviewing, dealing with some demanding kids and may have to let go of a long time family. their child will be by far the oldest (4.5) and the only one not napping in the fall.....no one for her to play with and I have to keep her quietly entertained every day during nap (aka my break time!) she is a nice kid but it just isnt the right fit anymore but i need to keep her during the summer because i am losing some teachers kids. just dreading having to term come fall. i really dont want to try and keep a 4 year old busy and quiet every day.
and my husband is stressing because of how unreliable daycare income can be. I do my best to keep up my end of the income but you all know, its unpredictable.
sometimes this job just really is too much but we never get a break from it. i am a mom of four, i am never off duty. i really need a vacation and have a rare three days off in May. havent had a vacation for three years! all my time off was used when my two youngest were born.
Maria2013 10:26 AM 04-28-2014
Sorry all I can give you, is a virtual hug 
Shell 10:29 AM 04-28-2014
I feel the same way as you often. It is so stressful never knowing if you will have enough kids , and never getting time off. But , we do it so we can be with our own kids , which makes it worth it even in the toughest days.
Naptime yet? 10:30 AM 04-28-2014
Hang in there, Cheer, I think most of us go through what you're feeling at some time or another. Heck, I've only been doing this for 2 years and I feel your pain!
Take care of yourself!
Take care of yourself!
Oss_cc 10:27 AM 04-28-2014
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
I have to make some changes to my daycare and it involves interviewing for summer/temp spots as well as a permanent spot in the fall. I hate interviewing because the last few interviews were definitely awkward. The first one was two snobby parents that I gave a chance to against my better judgment and no surprise, they left after two weeks trial and paid for a nanny. Their daughter was a spoiled princess dressed to the nines every day. The other parents were a little odd but nice, it is just that they clutched their toddler like I was the devil. They have been here now for several months and their child, no surprise, is a bit high maintenance and freaks out if he is touched by the other kids. I am trying to work through it and had it all ironed out for a couple weeks and all of a sudden, he is back to crying a good part of the day so back to square one. by the time i get this worked out, he will go to part time for the summer.
so now i am interviewing, dealing with some demanding kids and may have to let go of a long time family. their child will be by far the oldest (4.5) and the only one not napping in the fall.....no one for her to play with and I have to keep her quietly entertained every day during nap (aka my break time!) she is a nice kid but it just isnt the right fit anymore but i need to keep her during the summer because i am losing some teachers kids. just dreading having to term come fall. i really dont want to try and keep a 4 year old busy and quiet every day.
and my husband is stressing because of how unreliable daycare income can be. I do my best to keep up my end of the income but you all know, its unpredictable.
sometimes this job just really is too much but we never get a break from it. i am a mom of four, i am never off duty. i really need a vacation and have a rare three days off in May. havent had a vacation for three years! all my time off was used when my two youngest were born.
I have to make some changes to my daycare and it involves interviewing for summer/temp spots as well as a permanent spot in the fall. I hate interviewing because the last few interviews were definitely awkward. The first one was two snobby parents that I gave a chance to against my better judgment and no surprise, they left after two weeks trial and paid for a nanny. Their daughter was a spoiled princess dressed to the nines every day. The other parents were a little odd but nice, it is just that they clutched their toddler like I was the devil. They have been here now for several months and their child, no surprise, is a bit high maintenance and freaks out if he is touched by the other kids. I am trying to work through it and had it all ironed out for a couple weeks and all of a sudden, he is back to crying a good part of the day
so back to square one. by the time i get this worked out, he will go to part time for the summer. so now i am interviewing, dealing with some demanding kids and may have to let go of a long time family. their child will be by far the oldest (4.5) and the only one not napping in the fall.....no one for her to play with and I have to keep her quietly entertained every day during nap (aka my break time!) she is a nice kid but it just isnt the right fit anymore but i need to keep her during the summer because i am losing some teachers kids. just dreading having to term come fall. i really dont want to try and keep a 4 year old busy and quiet every day.
and my husband is stressing because of how unreliable daycare income can be. I do my best to keep up my end of the income but you all know, its unpredictable.
sometimes this job just really is too much but we never get a break from it. i am a mom of four, i am never off duty. i really need a vacation and have a rare three days off in May. havent had a vacation for three years! all my time off was used when my two youngest were born.
That is stressful. I'm sure it will work out for you, but I totally feel your stress and pain. I'm sure we all do! This is a tough job without a lot of acknowledgement from others on how tough it is.
melilley 10:41 AM 04-28-2014
I can definitely relate to always being on duty, as I have 2 kids of my own and 7 dc kids. The cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc... never ends and I feel like I am constantly going. And I have 1 f/t baby and 1 p/t baby and now rarely get a break!
But, I do have to say that every once in a while, dh and I find a babysitter or a family member and go do something without the kids. Sometimes my in laws take the kids for the whole weekend! That really helps. It may not be a vacation, but just being able to get out can do wonders (for the moment anyways...lol).
As for finding dc parents and kids who are a right fit, I've been pretty lucky with the accept for 1 dcm so I don't have any advice on that end. I wish you luck on finding good families soon!
cheerfuldom 11:03 AM 04-28-2014
Originally Posted by melilley:
I can definitely relate to always being on duty, as I have 2 kids of my own and 7 dc kids. The cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc... never ends and I feel like I am constantly going. And I have 1 f/t baby and 1 p/t baby and now rarely get a break!
But, I do have to say that every once in a while, dh and I find a babysitter or a family member and go do something without the kids. Sometimes my in laws take the kids for the whole weekend! That really helps. It may not be a vacation, but just being able to get out can do wonders (for the moment anyways...lol).
As for finding dc parents and kids who are a right fit, I've been pretty lucky with the accept for 1 dcm so I don't have any advice on that end. I wish you luck on finding good families soon!
I would recommend stopping at two bio. kids LOL it is horrendous finding a babysitter that can handle four children. and I may be biased but really, my kids are nice kids but having and paying for a reliable sitter for four kids is a major pain. None of my family members can handle all four at once so overnights are out. My in laws can do two at a time, per their own rule not mine! i'd love to leave for the weekend but as far as I know, its still illegal to leave kids under 6 years old home alone I can definitely relate to always being on duty, as I have 2 kids of my own and 7 dc kids. The cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc... never ends and I feel like I am constantly going. And I have 1 f/t baby and 1 p/t baby and now rarely get a break!
But, I do have to say that every once in a while, dh and I find a babysitter or a family member and go do something without the kids. Sometimes my in laws take the kids for the whole weekend! That really helps. It may not be a vacation, but just being able to get out can do wonders (for the moment anyways...lol).
As for finding dc parents and kids who are a right fit, I've been pretty lucky with the accept for 1 dcm so I don't have any advice on that end. I wish you luck on finding good families soon!
just joking!
CraftyMom 11:13 AM 04-28-2014
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
I would recommend stopping at two bio. kids LOL it is horrendous finding a babysitter that can handle four children. and I may be biased but really, my kids are nice kids but having and paying for a reliable sitter for four kids is a major pain. None of my family members can handle all four at once so overnights are out. My in laws can do two at a time, per their own rule not mine! i'd love to leave for the weekend but as far as I know, its still illegal to leave kids under 6 years old home alone just joking!
I agree, I have 3 of my own and it's hard to even ask family to watch 3 kids!I would recommend stopping at two bio. kids LOL it is horrendous finding a babysitter that can handle four children. and I may be biased but really, my kids are nice kids but having and paying for a reliable sitter for four kids is a major pain. None of my family members can handle all four at once so overnights are out. My in laws can do two at a time, per their own rule not mine! i'd love to leave for the weekend but as far as I know, its still illegal to leave kids under 6 years old home alone
just joking!And I hate the unpredictability of daycare! I had 2 siblings leave unexpectedly a month ago and I haven't yet filled the spots (mostly bc I'm being picky but still)
cheerfuldom 01:06 PM 04-28-2014
Originally Posted by CraftyMom:
I agree, I have 3 of my own and it's hard to even ask family to watch 3 kids!
And I hate the unpredictability of daycare! I had 2 siblings leave unexpectedly a month ago and I haven't yet filled the spots (mostly bc I'm being picky but still)
i agree. thats the hard part about daycare. you never can rely on the income, you never know what will happen the next day.I agree, I have 3 of my own and it's hard to even ask family to watch 3 kids!
And I hate the unpredictability of daycare! I had 2 siblings leave unexpectedly a month ago and I haven't yet filled the spots (mostly bc I'm being picky but still)
melilley 01:32 PM 04-28-2014
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
I would recommend stopping at two bio. kids LOL it is horrendous finding a babysitter that can handle four children. and I may be biased but really, my kids are nice kids but having and paying for a reliable sitter for four kids is a major pain. None of my family members can handle all four at once so overnights are out. My in laws can do two at a time, per their own rule not mine! i'd love to leave for the weekend but as far as I know, its still illegal to leave kids under 6 years old home alone just joking!
I guess it would be easier to find people to watch two kids, I know for sure if I had more than 2, family would not watch all of them at once, my family anyways. My mom won't watch my 1.5 yo, she doesn't want to change diapers...lolI would recommend stopping at two bio. kids LOL it is horrendous finding a babysitter that can handle four children. and I may be biased but really, my kids are nice kids but having and paying for a reliable sitter for four kids is a major pain. None of my family members can handle all four at once so overnights are out. My in laws can do two at a time, per their own rule not mine! i'd love to leave for the weekend but as far as I know, its still illegal to leave kids under 6 years old home alone
just joking!
cheerfuldom 01:56 PM 04-28-2014
Originally Posted by melilley:
I guess it would be easier to find people to watch two kids, I know for sure if I had more than 2, family would not watch all of them at once, my family anyways. My mom won't watch my 1.5 yo, she doesn't want to change diapers...lol
my in-laws are currently enabling their college age grand daughters and say they cannot handle our four at once. I am serious in saying these girls cause so much drama. Grandma stills drives them everywhere, cooks and cleans for them, reminds them to take a shower and where they are supposed to be when. its ridiculous and makes me mad that my kids miss out. I guess it would be easier to find people to watch two kids, I know for sure if I had more than 2, family would not watch all of them at once, my family anyways. My mom won't watch my 1.5 yo, she doesn't want to change diapers...lol
the other relatives are either way too busy, too far away or not capable of handling four young ones at most.