Like one day you just had enough?

I have been doing this for 23 years now and it usually just rolls off my back but all of the sudden I just don't want to do this anymore. I am so tired of people in my home. So tired of babysitting adults. Tired of inconsistent schedules, bratty kids (I have never had so many,) babies that need constant holding, just. so. tired.

Reality is I need to do this a couple/few more years though.

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I go through that often and I have not been doing it long at all.

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To be honest, no. But I don't think I would ever do this from my home; I work in a center. One of the benefits of my job is that when I go, I'm gone. I don't think about it too much until I go back and there's no working from home. Maybe you should consider working for someone else.

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Makes a HUGE difference to not be "stuck" in your home all day every day. (I'm in yr 22 now with no signs of quitting any time soon)


No.

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I think when you feel like that, it's time for a vacation.

Either that or switch things up and see what happens.

Alot of times, even the same old problems are manageable when approaching them from a different angle.

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I "quit" all the time in my head..


I really think that the parents today just do not discipline
what gets me is when I hear " do want to get your shoes on now?"
I am like... "Johnny, put your shoes on"
it's just ridiculous

so, yes I am growing too old for this

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Yeah, I would definitely at minimum need a separate space whose door I could shut. Better to rent someplace else.

Why wouldn't you work for someone else?

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Sounds like you need some time off. Do you have any coming up soon? If not, maybe schedule a couple extra long weekends or something, just so you can breathe again.

I go through that too. I dream of the day when I don't have to fool with kid proof locks just to grab my dishwashing detergent, or can get rid of the potty chair, booster seats, toys toys and more toys. I think the smell of dirty diapers has permeated right through my sheetrocked walls. Just once during the day I'd love to use the bathroom without all my 2 yos trailing in behind me. But I do have 1 that asks me if I peed and when I say yes, she'll clap her hands and say YAY good job Josie!!
I'd love to get rid of all the plastic cups and dishes and kiddie videos. I'd love to be able to buy decent furniture and not get it wrecked or snotted on.

Ahhhhhh...ok daydream over. I admit, I'd miss the kids the most. As much as they make me bite my nails and pull out my hair, I love 'em to pieces and think they're the best most entertaining group I've ever had. They never cease to amaze me in what they can do, create, learn, and how much they can love so innocently. One little girl is smart as a whip, another has the cutest biggest dimples when she smiles, another has THE lightest curliest hair I've ever seen, and another has the biggest heart there is.

Guess I'll work another day. But if the lucky powerball numbers come through this weekend.....

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I was born too bossy.

I could never not be the one in charge.

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I've been doing day care for almost 19 years now and find that the feeling is cyclical for me. I have periods of time when I love what I'm doing and I feel like I could do it forever. Then there are times when I feel like I have to drag myself through each day and can't fathom doing this for another day never mind another 10 years or more! Right now, I feel like I could just be done with it all and never look back but I know the feeling will pass eventually.

I've been lucky with kids/parents - no major complaints just little irritations now and then but it is exhausting work. The longer I go without a real break from day care, the worse it feels. I have a week of vacation coming up later this summer and if I can make it that long, it should help. Since you have to do this for another few years, I hope the feeling passes quickly enough for you. Do you have any vacation time coming up?

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Some days knowing I need to support my family is the only thing that keeps me going, but, on the average, I LOVE BEING MY OWN BOSS!!!! Bottom line is I do have to work, so child care is my niche. I am blessed to have a room I can close the doors to, though, as well! I am on my second generation of kids and can see reaching my third generation.

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Daycare is really all I know, and all I have done before and after college (many years ago at this point). I kind of feel stuck sometimes because the alternative is likely to go back to work for someone else in a center, making less money after I would have to pay for child care for my own children. I really think even when my kiddos are older, this might be the best gig around as far as being there for them when they get out of school, summers, etc.

I do regularly fantasize about getting rid of all this daycare stuff, and keeping my house CLEAN. I deep clean on Sundays, and I tell you, by Monday morning, someone has pooped and stunk up the whole house, someone pees on the floor or drops a cup filled to the brim with milk, and my hardwoods have taken a beating (despite area rugs).

I can relate to BC about being your own boss, I just can't work for someone else. Well, I have done it, but not for very long before I can't take it anymore. Some of us just have to be our own bosses, I guess

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I take Fridays off all summer and tomorrow is my LAST Friday. 3-day weekends will rejuvenate me!! I haven't had any extra time off since Christmas so maybe I am just needing a vacation!

I found a dog today and have him in a fenced area while waiting for Animal Control. Dcd just questioned me about my new dog (a German Shepard.) Sheesh, Animal Control is coming! Your kid hasn't been near the dog or even seen the dog.- I can't even do a good deed without someone butting in!

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I feel the exact opposite...I LOVE my job and one of the main reasons is being in my house all day everyday. Sure, there is extra mess and work and long hours, but I will take it over working for someone else. I WILL NEVER WORK FOR SOMEONE ELSE AGAIN lol. Why? Because I am bossy (is there a word stronger than bossy?), I am always right, and I need things to be done a certain way.

To the OP, you've been in this for the long haul. Try to remember the things you do enjoy about the job. Spend as much time as possible outside and simplify what you can.

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Sometimes. I've been self-employed (not daycare) since 1980. When I had to close my last business after 17 years, I found that it is really hard to get a job after being self-employed so long. DC has always been my emergency back up plan so here I am.

When I spend the night throwing up because dck brought the stomach virus into my house, and then have to work the next day because sick days won't fly around here, I'm ready to throw in the towel. You can all make the same lists of "over this" things, so I won't keep on.

I do think that should I fall too low on kids, I might give it up and try to find a job. At one time, I would have said "I can never work for anyone", but for once, I think I might like walking out the door and forgetting work. I've always been the boss, and sometimes, it's hard.

I can start drawing my social security in 15 months (15 months, 8 days, and 7 hours) (Kidding, I don't really know) . At that point, I won't be able to live just on 2 ss checks, but I may be able to cut down to just 2 kids that I really enjoy-girls only, age 2 and up. No more rowdy boys. But, lots can happen between now and then.

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Yes. Been there. And tomorrow is my last day

I think you have gotten some good advice. Good luck!

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Yes!!!

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I love the kids. I love our interactions. I get a kick out of them singing a song as they play that I taught them.

Then their parents open their mouths and lie, question and make up issues.

I’ll throw in the towel when I win Lotto.

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I still remember when my mom asked me what I wanted to do when I was "grown up" (I was 12) and I said be the boss She asked the boss of what? I said it didn't really matter as long as I was the boss lol

It turned out to be true! I owned a nationwide cheerleading company for kids for 10 years, and now daycare I did have a couple of years in between where I accepted a job with the state birth-3 program but I was able to work from home and set my own schedule!

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I would not say I'm done.....more so I am tired. I'm sure it's just a temporary thing....I'm pregnant and officially in my third trimester. I'm tired in general .

Lack of communication from the parents is the thing that gets to me the most. How hard is it to text and say there is a schedule change or to respond to an email?? Not all my parents are bad about it, but the ones that are bad do it all the time.

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Just did this today. Totally burned out and told all my parents today I'm done at the end of the month. I finally decided I can't live my life this stressed out and unhappy anymore.

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I was lucky late last year in that I received a very small inheritance that allowed me to close up in one state and move; stayed closed for 8 full weeks and things didn't quite go as planned, but that break was good for me… of course now I am dealing with low #'s due to starting over, but I am not willing to quit now; last year I wanted to throw in the towel.

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This. Right. Now!!!! I'm only on year 2 and I dread every day. I feel like my house is never clean, toys. Toys. Everywhere! I have 3 kids of my own (3,5,7) and they don't even play with the toys in the playroom after daycare is done for the day. I'm sick of saying "don't talk with your mouth full" as I'm about to vomit because I just can't handle how disgusting it is watching one dck eat. Everyone seems to fight all day long. They're all just on each other's nerves and in turn it gets on my nerves.

If I could quit tomorrow, yea I would feel bad for my dcf's, but I'm not real sure how bad. I want to enjoy what I do and I'm just not.

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I LOVE working in my home. Yes, there are annoyances, but I love being HOME for my kids/family. I love that when they are off from school or sick, they don't have to still get up early to be schlepped to day care. I LOVE the tax breaks.

Keep in mind many of the providers here are in the US. I know you are overseas. We have pretty crappy employment policies here, especially for jobs like child care - crappy health insurance, crappy pay, crappy vacation, crappy sick time (if they get any sick time) crappy working conditions, etc.

I LOVE being my own boss, setting my own schedule, not having to coordinate time off, etc. I couldn't go back to working outside the home/for someone else again.

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I have been job hunting for months. Even that depresses me.

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I had that day yesterday. After DC I went to a free concert on the canal & got to sleep in. Hopefully this will be a good day.

ps..., I don't live at my daycare. It does help going home at the end of the day.

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I am right there with you!! It's been 25 years for me and you described it so accurately. TIRED!!!! In so many different ways. But, like you, I'm here for at least a few more years.

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I've only been doing this a year and there have been times when I find myself looking through the job section on Craigslist. I realized that I'm with BC... I could never see myself willingly working for another person. I'm way too picky about the way I do things and I think that's why I was never happy working outside of the home. I don't do well working for other people. I think I have an issue with authority figures

The only reason I even consider it sometimes is that I struggle financially. I make more than enough to pay my bills, but there is so much that I'd like to replace and repair in my home... and it would be nice to be able to pay for a nice vacation or something.

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Only about every day this week! Yesterday was bad. I just keep thinking only another month until a week of vacation. I have a couple infants biting, one that has been potty trained for awhile wetting her pants then there's my own almost 4 and not potty trained for BMs. One of the biting infants won't and I mean won't sleep unless held. Meanwhile my husband is considering a new job which would mean more money and me not doing daycare. But it would mean us moving at least 10 hrs away from friends and family including our daughter going off to college this fall. Just overwhelmed at the moment. Oh and my 9 days off will include 3 with my MIL visiting. So not much of a vacation. They seem to invite themselves on my weeks off.
Today has started off with a full can of soda poured on my sofa. Dcb managed to climb on the couch and reach my hiding spot about 3 feet above the back of the sofa.

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I bet most people...whatever their job......have times when they feel like throwing in the towel.

I've been at this for about 28 years now. Some days I think I must be stark raving mad to do this for a living.

Last night, my four year old high functioning autistic DCB was heading out the door with his mom. He suddenly stopped...shouted "WAIT!" at his mom. When she asked why, he said "Coz I need to hug her!!" and came running back for a hug.

There is no other job in the universe, other than being a mother, that gives that kind of job satisfaction. He'll probably drive me crazy several times today, but I will remember last night and just count to ten!!!!!!

This job is frustrating at times (normally thanks to the parents and not the kids )........but it has the best rewards ever in other areas.

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Yes!! When I do close up shop someday it WILL be because of the parents. NOT the kids.

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I have been watching other peoples children for 49 years and have gone through cycles of burnout many times over the years, usually the times coincide with periods in my life when personal issues are not going well. This past winter was probably the worst ever.

Lately, in the past ten years, i find that the parents cause me wanting to quit. So many are inconsiderate, spoiled, entitled and dishonest and it has become more of the job to deal with them than the children. That and the State restricting our business so much.

I have 7 more years of dealing with the discontent and then I'm done. If DH had not lost his job in '08 or if he was able to make half of what he used to we could survive and I would be done. I know we can live at poverty level, it's not fun, but we can do it. We have been since '10.

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I like to call today's parents High-maintenance parents which leads to high-maintenance kids......wow, how times have changed!

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This is exactly why I have a problem with people who think childcare providers must be Happy in Their Job Every Single Second.

It is not a reasonable expectation. And it is not what I want to model to children, either as a parent, or as a childcare provider. What will these children think when they have 'negative' emotions? That they are lesser human beings? That they are incapable of the 'proper' emotions?

To expect to have only "happy happy joy joy" as an emotion is not what being a human being is all about. To me, it is about treasuring the happy times, and digging deep to find the skills necessary to survive the difficult times. You grow as a person when you survive tough times, whether that is physically, financially, emotionally, in job satisfaction or in personal satisfaction.

And hopefully those difficult times make the good times feel even better.

To the OP: None of that means that any individual should not make the choice to close their childcare if that is what is right for them!

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Today I got a text with a pic from a DCM. It was her shoe DCG loosely tied for her, with the word THANKS! (we have been working on that one for awhile.) This is why I keep going...

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A huuuge ditto to almost all of this. Except for me, it's one kid's constant boogers getting over all my stuff that grosses me out.

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generally i feel that way anytime I have two poopy diapers, three crying kids, four children screaming, one nagging me for more food, two trying to get held at once and one asking me for permission to go poop....all at once. And I only have 5 of them. Do the math.

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I think my toughest year was the one that I had eight children. Seven in diapers

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Same here. I've wanted to "quit" this whole week.

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Same here. I have a degree in child development and I worked in a couple of centers for 14 years before opening my home dc and before that I nannied/babysat. I remember walking into my first interview and thinking "this is what I want to do for the rest of my life". Fast forward, I really hated working in a center (having a boss and having to do what they thought (corporate) was good for the children, but I swear corporate dc higher upers don't know squat about child care. It is nice to be able to spend time with the kids rather than having to please someone else with the bs things they want you to do that take away from time with the children. It just gets frustrating sometimes.

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I think about it but then realize, I am happier doing this than working retail/customer service or heaven forbid for someone else! I cannot stand working for anyone else now. I have been a stay at home mom since late 2010, worked for 3 months last year in a field I hated(call center) and started my daycare. I love being a stay at home mom to my kids but I am even happier with being my own boss and running my business how I want to run it. The best part of it all though is the fact I can quit any time I want since we don't need my income so I don't feel that need to keep working even if I wanted to quit which I think really helps with how much I get frustrated at times. Like this week and the next 5 weeks where I will have a SAC sister to to ft dcb and she drives me crazy

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