Holiday Park 07:35 AM 02-01-2013
I have two existing clients now and I LOVE them! But I not only don't want to care for their kids anymore, but I need a break to just be a stay at home mom again and keep just one baby . The one Im choosing is a drop in child who might go FT but when I have her , it doesn't feel like work. She is such a joy to have and AND i love the parents&family of this child.
I already told dcf2 ( that I've only had 1 month) I've decided to downsize and may be giving notice in two months. I wish I had kept it at what was originally said 2 weeks ! I'm willing to wait it out for two months so Im not being wishy washy and just stick to what I last said. I can hadle it if I term dcf1 asap. But shes been so good to me I feel she deserves at least 4 weeks. But I don't think I can go that long. Im already burnt out caring for her very demanding baby. I will feel like a jerk all around for ending care and because yesterday I just complained to her about how difficult he has become with his screaming .
When your really burnt out and need a long break do you just take a week off , or close for a year? My main reason is the 2 boys I have are too much for me to handle and I can't give enough attention to my own 16 month old. Also, when Im really burnt out, do you think I can go 4 more weeks if I give nrice for that long? I don't even know how I'm going to get through next week (with them both, not just 1). Also I've been feeling like a failure for this because Before I had my youngest , I could handle it a lot better. I know this is something I will be continuing when he is a little older. So is two weeks rnough , or should I do 4 week notice because I really really like these two clients and want to end on good terms.
cheerfuldom 10:05 AM 02-01-2013
Why is it that important to end on good terms? You are not planning on taking them back in the future I assume. And letting them go now or in a few more weeks doesnt change the fact that they have to find new care. I guess I dont understand why you even care so much at this point. You said you are burnt out and your child is not getting the time and energy necessary from you. Why would you put him in that situation for potentially a couple more months? just so that people that you will never see again are not mad at you?
Just write up an official "closing daycare" letter and give a date two weeks from now (is that the 15th?) and let them know that they are welcome to leave sooner if they find care before then and will be reimbursed for any daycare days not attended if they leave early. so that way they have more incentive to just move on. If they get mad, so what? Isnt it better they be upset now and just leave quickly, rather than you do weeks more of work and then the same scenario happen months from now?
I think you just need to stick to your priorities.....taking a break asap and taking care of your son. Given a huge amount of notice does not fit those priorities. For the next two weeks, just do what you have to with the screaming baby and then put them in a pnp separate and let them scream. Its better to walk away from that then have them screaming right in your ear all day. If he is not happy with what you can provide, separate him and let him cry on his own where he is not stressing everyone else out. I can guarantee that your son is tired of hearing that too.
In the future, take only one baby at a time as you can see that two babies is too much for you. or dont take babies at all, just advertise for like 18 months and up. That is what A LOT of providers do and for good reason.
I just termed a screaming 10 month old who has been crying for the past 4 months, here and at home. After she is gone, I will not be taking ANY more babies ever. I will advertise for 18 months and up and they have to walking, self feeding and able to function happily on one nap per day. After 5.5 years of daycare, I am so over taking care of babies.
rmc20021 10:14 AM 02-01-2013
I agree...if they're going to get mad, they will be just as mad in two months as in two weeks. You're burned out and stressed out. Give a 2 week notice and stick to it. I'm sure they can find somebody else in that amount of time.
It's better than possibly causing you to become so overwhelmed that it affects your health to a point you can't give any notice.
You will not be able to provide quality care for 2 months if you are already feeling burnt out. 2 weeks notice and that's enough. You'll be so stressed by the end of the 2 weeks that you'll be glad you did that.
Play Care 12:55 PM 02-01-2013
Never, ever do/offer anything because you feel the parents might be mad at you otherwise. Chances are very good they will be mad no matter what. I'd rather get what I want (being done sooner) and risk it, then going longer when I'm already burnt out and still dealing with it.
Best of luck to you!