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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Tips for Provider Burn Out
Blackcat31 12:46 PM 11-06-2013
It was suggested that we "sticky" this great information for those that need it to find it easily and it is VERY useful and really important information.

Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
I am so sorry you are feeling this way. I do have a lot of great info on Provider Burnout to share, though.... Know you are not alone.

PROVIDER BURNOUT

In a study conducted at the University of Maryland, by Susan Walker, PhD, in-home family daycare providers were proven to be particularly prone to personal stress. The factors that they stated contributed to this were: long hours (average of 60 hours a week), low pay (an average of $15,000 a year), and the low value of their job to the public despite the huge need for care. All of these factors deem daycare providers at high risk for burnout.

There are three stages of burnout:

1. Stress Arousal Stage Persistent irritability and anxiety
Bruxism and/or Insomnia
Occasional forgetfulness and/or inability to concentrate
2. Stress Resistance Stage Absenteeism or tardiness for work
Tired and fatigued for no reason
Procrastination and indecision
Social withdrawal with cynicism
Resentful, indifferent, defiant
Increased use of coffee, alcohol, tobacco, etc.
3. Severe Exhaustion Stage Chronic sadness or depression
Chronic mental and physical fatigue
Chronic stress related illnesses (headache, stomach ache, bowel problems, etc.)

So how do you know if you or a loved one is suffering from burnout?
Here are the early warning signs.


Chronic fatigue - exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down
Anger at those making demands
Self-criticism for putting up with the demands
Cynicism, negativity, and irritability
A sense of being besieged
Exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things
Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbance
Weight loss or gain
Sleeplessness and depression
Shortness of breath
Suspiciousness
Feelings of helplessness
Increased degree of risk taking
Isolation, withdrawal, self-destructive thoughts

What do you do if you are suffering from burnout?

Take a break!!! Get a massage, meditate, hide, stare at a wall...get away!
Ask for love ones to lighten the load and help with your responsibilities.
Simplify your life. What can you take out?
Relax and nurture yourself.
Seek professional help if it gets severe.
Reduce your stress!!!

STRESS
Know thy enemy...


Studies has proven that in-home daycare providers are more prone to stress than the average bear.
Yet there are little or no resources to daycare providers for reducing and managing stress.
Why is this? We can only suppose that everyone is too stressed out to do anything about it!

In a study of providers in Maryland:
37% of providers rated themselves as experiencing very high
or somewhat high levels of stress in the past month
54.5% had effects on health behaviors
51.7% enjoy their job less than typical population
35% report feeling bad physically
33.6% experienced strong moods

WHAT IS STRESS?

Stress is the excitement, feeling of anxiety and/or physical tension that occurs when
demands placed on an individual exceed his or her ability to cope.

We need stress in many ways. It helps us to survive, it is our fight or flight response.
It helps us to cross the street, move out of the way when something is thrown at us, be frightened
when somebody yells “boo”. We want to stay out of the way of danger so our body physically
responds to surprises so we don’t kill ourselves and we fear things.

Stress response: When challenged, the body undergoes a progressive series of responses that are first triggered by an external stimulus termed the stressor. The more prolonged and accelerating reactions produce an intense and severe disruption called strain. All of this moves the body away from homeostasis, the maintenance of equilibrium of the internal body functions in response to external changes.

WHAT CAUSES STRESS?

Psychological causes
Life changes--events, circumstances or perceptions
Overload--too much to do, not enough time to do it
Insufficient resources--not enough money or time
Frustration--lack of happiness or fulfillment
Trauma or loss--death of a close friend or relative

External causes
Occupation
Environmental strain (noise, temperature, etc.)
Substance abuse (alcohol/drugs)
Nutritional excesses (caffeine, sugar)
Nutritional deficiencies (vitamins or nutrients)

Personality causes
Self-perception
Anxious reactivity, hypervigilance, worry
Need for control,
Time urgency
Anger or hostility

Major sources of stress in daycare include:

conflicts with parents
role conflict
not being able to balance work and family
fairness in housework
feeling overloaded
not having enough time for family activities
not enough time with family
not enough money
conflict with their own family
not having enough children in their daycare

Other things that effect our stress:

Poor resource management: Time and money are precious and limited resources. Wasting either of these creates serious tension and stress. Unwillingness to delegate or let go of control also increases stress.

Personal relationships: Romance and love are exciting eustress experiences while conflict, jealousy and resentment are common distresses when a relationship breaks down.

Self-perception: Low self-esteem and self-confidence together with the absence of feeling connected or empowered, can all precipitate stress reactions. Taken to excess (self-confidence) these can lead to egoism and cockiness which will cause different stress reactions.

Beliefs and attitudes: Family scripts like "A penny saved is a penny earned," "A job worth doing is worth doing well" can cause undue stress and force the person to live up to an unrealistic image.

WHAT ARE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON THE BODY?

muscle tightness and tension
decreased immunity, increased sickness
aches/pains in back and neck
fatigue and lack of energy
headaches, migraines
digestive problems
depression and/or anxiety
decreased ability of movement
accelerated aging
These can lead to: high blood pressure; restricted movement;
ulcers; heart attack; cancer; stroke; etc.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT OUR STRESS?

Simplify your life
Avoid over-commitment and over-responsibility
Learn how to say "NO".
Delegate your duties, have others help you.
Eat right, exercise, get enough sleep
Relax and breathe
Take some time for you everyday

REDUCING STRESS

"It's not what happens to you in life that matters,
it's how you react to what happens to you that counts."

4 areas that you can reduce stress in your daycare business:

1. Daycare environment-
How is your daycare set up? Is it cluttered? Are toys and activities easily accessible? Is it bright and cheery or dark and dreary? What colors are the basic colors of the room? Does the area provide space to relax or is it constantly high energy? Did you know that you can use color and scents to induce different moods and tones in your house?

2. Business Practices-
Do your parents drive you crazy? Do they know what is expected of them? Do you have policies in place? Do you act like a professional? Did you know that you can train your parents how to treat you and your business? How do you find the balance between giving the parents what they want and keeping your sanity? Do you run your daycare like a business or like a babysitting service? Do you have preschool programs? What can you do to enhance your services to the family that you can have fun with?

3. Children-
Do the children know what is expected of them? Are you consistent with discipline or is it something you have to continue to revisit? Do children have a balance of relaxing and stimulating activities? Is there enough transition time between activities? Is there enough variety of toys and activities for each child's interests? Do you have engaging activities such as music, exercise or stretching, yoga, dancing, that keeps the children interested and allow them to use fine and gross motor control?

4. Your self-
Do you take enough time for you? (HA!--we all say) Do you think you DESERVE time for yourself? Do you know how to nurture your body, mind, and spirit? Do you exercise some everyday besides lifting kids on and off the diaper changing table? Do you have a hobby that you have been dying to take up? Is your attitude positive? Can you learn how to make some time for yourself everyday? Are you too serious or do you laugh things off easily? Do you over-commit yourself? Do you ask others for help? Do you take time off?

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MamaBearCanada 02:30 PM 11-06-2013

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canadiancare 11:19 AM 11-14-2013
Thanks for this. I have the worst bunch of kids I have had in all my 21 years of daycare. I am finding very little joy in what I am doing and I am counting down the days until 2 of them graduate out in September.

I am not sure it is indeed burnout but I dread Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
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My3cents 11:40 AM 11-15-2013
try changing things up-

move stuff around
do the everyday everyday a little different one day
try stepping outside of the box
focus on one kid at a time and the issues that child is having
breathe deep air breaths
take care of you
talk with parents, sometimes just telling them that little guy had a ruff day and would not leave his friends alone can help. Ask the parent to talk with the child. Don't make this an everyday thing, no parent wants to hear that their child had a bad day everyday. If they are having a bad day everyday maybe your program is not the best fit for the kiddo and that is ok.
be serious when necessary but don't be over serious all day every day. Let little things slide, pick and choose your battles.
Preplan
Get the kids outside if you can
let the weekends or off time be yours, and your families.
Remember why you loved your job in the first place.
Do online and face to face research on how to better your program and better deal with the issues you are having.

Know your not alone-

best
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renlenfel 01:03 PM 11-17-2013
Great post! Since I am still new to this business and not feeling burn out in the least...yet....I'm aware that this could happen at some point. It's good to know the signs and ways of preventing or curing burn out if should occur. I'm learning so much from this forum, I really appreciate this post. Sometimes it just helps to know I'm not alone during the day as I feed, change diapers, feed, change diaper, change diaper, feed......
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Unregistered 07:19 PM 11-24-2013
I was happy to see the information shared on burn-out. Sometimes we a daycare providers do not want to address this subject. I believe that if others know that they are not the only ones feeling a certain way, they will be able to discuss and share what the are feeling and not feel alone. It is always nice to have suggestions or tips on anythings you are going through. Thank you for the info.
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renodeb 10:36 AM 12-04-2013
You are most certainly not alone. I think one reason providers get burned out is that they dont take enough time off. Either because there clients complain or they feel they dont need the time off. I feel that it is essential in this field to take atleast 2 weeks vacation off per year and some others days off through out the year. I take all the school holidays off and two weeks a year of vacation. I really look forward to my weekends to thats my recharge time!
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My3cents 10:13 AM 12-10-2013
Originally Posted by renodeb:
You are most certainly not alone. I think one reason providers get burned out is that they dont take enough time off. Either because there clients complain or they feel they dont need the time off. I feel that it is essential in this field to take atleast 2 weeks vacation off per year and some others days off through out the year. I take all the school holidays off and two weeks a year of vacation. I really look forward to my weekends to thats my recharge time!
I completely agree with this! Highly recommend. I also know it is hard for many of us to do this. We feel like we will loose clients for not being there. Wrong. Parents respect this even if it is an inconvenience to them. It makes us better providers~ Taking care of our own needs doesn't make us less valuable or less dependable. Key point is to give your parents plenty of time to plan ahead.

Having this forum to bounce off of is a big deal for me. This is something I do for myself to avoid that burn out feeling. I usually come on here after lunch clean up at quiet time. It gives me a sense of connect to others, and many that I consider friends even if I will never meet you face to face-

Best-
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busybodies14 08:23 AM 12-17-2013
Its so nice to hear everyone's in the same boat. I do have to say right now I'm writing my days off for the upcoming year and it makes me nervous cause parents do complain I feel bad even though we all need and deserve our days off.
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drseuss 09:27 AM 02-25-2014
I am a long-time childcare provider who found this forum through an internet search. I am burning out, and was in need of some advice and companionship in the midst of it.

I have spent many years as a state-licensed ccp, and my body and mind are telling me it is time for a change. I have been having panic attacks in the mornings, usually about the time I am blow-drying my hair, so about 20 minutes before my first arrivals. I am constantly nursing a headache from clenching my teeth, feeling totally exhausted, barely able to participate in my marriage. It is all too much. Unfortunately, over the past year, we have invested quite heavily in my program.

I am very good at what I do, my program is highly recommended in our town. The problem is now the guilt that I am carrying around for feeling like I am burning out. We as providers are charged with the most important job of nurturing and loving our little ones. I am perfectly able to do that, but knowing that I am fizzling out leaves me with a guilt that I cannot seem to reconcile.

Anybody else going through something similar? Thanks so much.
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Cat Herder 06:52 AM 02-26-2014
Originally Posted by drseuss:
The problem is now the guilt that I am carrying around for feeling like I am burning out.

knowing that I am fizzling out leaves me with a guilt that I cannot seem to reconcile.

Anybody else going through something similar? Thanks so much.
This is the worst time of year for it.

Winter blahs, Kids with cabin fever, vitamin D deficiency, tax season stress (ours and clients), surprise inspections, annual trainings due, ratings time again, and all the uncertainty of who will be staying through $ummer makes everyone I know worn down.

You are not alone and there is no shame in being HUMAN. Have you heard of the book "Finding your smile again"? I am rereading it myself this week.
Attached: finding your smile again.jpg (33.9 KB) 
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drseuss 06:00 AM 02-27-2014
Thank you for the encouragement, and also for the book recommedation. I will request it from my library.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 06:28 PM 03-16-2014
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
This is the worst time of year for it.

Winter blahs, Kids with cabin fever, vitamin D deficiency, tax season stress (ours and clients), surprise inspections, annual trainings due, ratings time again, and all the uncertainty of who will be staying through $ummer makes everyone I know worn down.

You are not alone and there is no shame in being HUMAN. Have you heard of the book "Finding your smile again"? I am rereading it myself this week.
I haven't read that book yet. I will be doing so soon!
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BigLittleHomeDaycare 09:27 AM 05-27-2014
Thanks for the post
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Papa 07:24 PM 07-17-2014
I have helped my wife since 2005 and I was the happiest guy in the world, I played with the kids, cooked, bottle fed a lot of kids, loved every minute of it for the first year then it has been going down hill ever since. My problem is not the children but the parents, we have the kids at least most of them 55 to 60 hours a week and to say the least the parents don't really give a sh$t about anything. Today one came in fifteen minutes late...no call just "I got hung up at the chiropractors", not even sorry for being late. Of all the hundreds of kids my wife has watched only one family brings a gift and card on providers day every year. Others forget to bring diapers they forget to pay for days but they never forget to pay dish network or the water bill as they will shut the water off, things like that. Every Monday we have to start retraining the kids, then come Friday I feel like we are loaning the kids out to them. We have one set of parents that have a nanny on the weekends and one night a week a sitter comes in so they can go out. I love these kids and It burns me out to have to deal with the parents. When we go outside I tell the kids to put on their shoes and they do it. When the parents pick them up and mom says put on your shoes and the child slaps her mom and throws the shoes at her I feel like what the heck, do they just not know how to be a parent or where did I fail! Anyway god bless you lady's for what you do, and guys too!
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Josiegirl 01:14 PM 03-21-2015
"Finding Your Smile Again", I have the book and do need to reread it. It made some good points and offered sensible suggestions. Putting them into practice is always a hard thing because I've found that as providers, we're nurturers and not used to nurturing ourselves. Plus we never want to let others down.
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Cowabunga childcare 02:07 PM 06-29-2015
This forum is super helpful for that burn out feeling. I really like knowing there are other providers out there that are at home- alone- do adult interactions all day. And it's true about parents respecting you more when you take the day off.
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AmyKidsCo 08:00 PM 06-29-2015
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
This is the worst time of year for it.

Winter blahs, Kids with cabin fever, vitamin D deficiency, tax season stress (ours and clients), surprise inspections, annual trainings due, ratings time again, and all the uncertainty of who will be staying through $ummer makes everyone I know worn down.

You are not alone and there is no shame in being HUMAN. Have you heard of the book "Finding your smile again"? I am rereading it myself this week.
FANTASTIC book! Jeff Johnson is a great guy too.

Personally, going to conferences or child care group meetings helps me avoid burning out. (And making sure I have at least 1 day off each month!)
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tabitha 11:38 PM 05-25-2016
Great post.Meditation helps in reducing stress.My husband and I always meditate for an hour everyday in the morning.It really helps.
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Josiegirl 10:49 AM 09-27-2016
I love my current group. Families are great. I'm not rich but am able to pay my bills. So where is the issue? I'm not even sure. Except to say I feel burned out on life altogether.
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Blackcat31 12:24 PM 09-27-2016
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
I love my current group. Families are great. I'm not rich but am able to pay my bills. So where is the issue? I'm not even sure. Except to say I feel burned out on life altogether.

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Mike 03:47 PM 09-27-2016
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
I love my current group. Families are great. I'm not rich but am able to pay my bills. So where is the issue? I'm not even sure. Except to say I feel burned out on life altogether.
Sounds like you need a short break, or a temporary change, even if it's only a week or 2. If you haven't taken a vacation lately, I'd get one set up. I know from business experience that with any business, sometimes we need to take at least a week and do something different and not even think about the business.
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lovemydaycare0912 08:11 PM 09-27-2016
Originally Posted by Mike:
Sounds like you need a short break, or a temporary change, even if it's only a week or 2. If you haven't taken a vacation lately, I'd get one set up. I know from business experience that with any business, sometimes we need to take at least a week and do something different and not even think about the business.
I'm not burned out although partly bc I took a week vacation 2 weeks ago. Sadly, I want another day off already and cannot wait until Thanksgiving. Lol
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childcaremom 03:59 AM 09-28-2016
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
I love my current group. Families are great. I'm not rich but am able to pay my bills. So where is the issue? I'm not even sure. Except to say I feel burned out on life altogether.
I'm feeling a little the same lately.
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Cat Herder 07:47 AM 09-28-2016
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
I love my current group. Families are great. I'm not rich but am able to pay my bills. So where is the issue? I'm not even sure. Except to say I feel burned out on life altogether.
My suggestion : Unplug.

No tv, newspapers, internet or radio news for 3-5 days. Longer if possible.

Turns out the sky is not falling for everyone, at all times.

We all have hard times but are often granted peaceful times in between. Plugging in keeps us in a constant state of limbo and drama.

When we have some peace we fill it with other peoples drama. Out of societal responsibility? Guilt of privilege? Even if hard earned? I am tired of that rhetoric. I don't have much, but I can afford some peace and quiet.

Sure, we should help others where we can, but when you are drained there is no shame in enjoying your current blessing of personal peace.

There is no way of knowing when your next personal crisis is coming. To stop borrowing others problems is simply self defense.
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Controlled Chaos 12:45 PM 09-28-2016
Originally Posted by Josiegirl:
I love my current group. Families are great. I'm not rich but am able to pay my bills. So where is the issue? I'm not even sure. Except to say I feel burned out on life altogether.

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catinthebox 11:03 AM 10-30-2016
Can't wait till I get my surgery!! I can finally get some rest and a small vacation. Let's hope that my work won't asked me to reschedule it. I haven't used up my v time yet and I have saved up 70 hours
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renodeb 10:38 AM 11-07-2016
I will say it again, I think one of the main reasons providers suffer burn out is that they don't take enough vacation/days off. I take the school holidays off, and 3 weeks a years of vacation. I have seen posts on dc message boards from providers that pride themselves on taking no days off because there clients complain or they feel for whatever reason that they cant.
Another tip is to know your limitations, dont take on to much. Another way to feel burn out is to take kids even though they may not be the right fit because you are worried about making ends meet (I totally get that). One child can really color they mood of the whole group.
I also think a lot of providers are bothered by the isolation this job can create. Get away from your house, make sure you have some adult interaction every day of some sort!
Deb
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cassiesue 08:39 PM 11-29-2016
Love this thread and am ordering the book!

I know I do tend to take on too much. Then I end up chastising myself after the fact. I tend to over-empathize with my clients, both my dcps and my legal clients.

I am beyond grateful I found this forum as it helps!!!

And have pledged to begin next year with the motto: wwbc31do?

I am making baby steps. I am in the process of revamping my contract and creating a separate handbook just for policies. I have even managed to sleep train both my infant dcbabies so that I can lay them down for a nap at the same time, whereas before I alternated their naps.

I also just doubled my legal rate and am thinking of increasing it another $50. Sounds extreme, but I had not raised my rates since 1993! Long overdue!

I also have decided to save my sanity and hire a second person in afternoons to supervise outside play, lol, so my assistant has an assistant! I am soooooo not an outdoors person, but I still average at least an hour in the evenings outside so I can interact with my 5-year-old!

I wish I liked the taste of wine as I heard that it is quite relaxing...

Thanks to the owner of the site and all that contribute!!!
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Elizabeth80 01:51 PM 01-06-2017
I recommend meditation and yoga
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steffidsouza46 10:12 AM 06-05-2017
Traditional theories teach us that burnout is caused by working too many hours or enduring too much stress, but that's a gross oversimplification of the matter.
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Cat Herder 04:46 AM 03-04-2019
Originally Posted by steffidsouza46:
Traditional theories teach us that burnout is caused by working too many hours or enduring too much stress, but that's a gross oversimplification of the matter.
Sure, but it's a start.

Knowing you're not alone and having access to others going through similar things is a pretty big relief for those so isolated.
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N_Provider 11:57 PM 04-08-2019
After 15 years in DC, I have developed an injury to my arm from repetitive lifting. In lieu of my annual summer vacation, I wanted to take 30 days off to rest and heal. How does this work with Community Care Lic in Ca. Pending 2 newborns when I return.
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amazingchristianacademy 01:07 PM 08-02-2019
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
It was suggested that we "sticky" this great information for those that need it to find it easily and it is VERY useful and really important information.

Reply
Unregistered 06:46 PM 02-13-2020
What do you do with an assistant that likes to run the show overrule my policies and constantly complains about everything. She’s stressing me out and I feel aggravated! Please help!
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Cat Herder 03:45 AM 02-14-2020
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
What do you do with an assistant that likes to run the show overrule my policies and constantly complains about everything. She’s stressing me out and I feel aggravated! Please help!
Replace her.
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CeriBear 11:52 AM 06-07-2020
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
What do you do with an assistant that likes to run the show overrule my policies and constantly complains about everything. She’s stressing me out and I feel aggravated! Please help!
I’d suggest talking with her and maybe sharing some duties with her. Talk with her and explain that though you are the lead you would like her input. Maybe let her plan a few activities or do chores that you really don’t like. I’ve had bossy and negative assistants before and it is frustrating.
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Tags:burn out, burnout, burnt out, daycare environment, provider - support, provider burn out, support
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