Feeling Burned Out

[Sahm121]

I think the trying to detach like girlmomma said is my issue too. I feel like I’m Seriously being swallowed by this negative cloud and I’m usually the opposite and can find joy in anything, but I feel stuck:
Taking a few hours off this morning was magic. I missed the kids! Now to try to keep it going

[Annalee]

And a couple girls I was going to the gym just called me to go to a neighboring city to shop and have lunch tomorrow,...and I'm going; not my norm but I'm going!

[Annalee]

I've been using some free resources on https://consciousdiscipline.com/ to help with the safe zones; awaiting some things I've ordered elsewhere so don't have it together yet but it's in the works. This is for the self-regulation issues within some of the children we are working with.

[GirlMomma]

I increased paid days this year and managed one day off a month 😁. But I had a training last month that day and a training this month… next month it’s a true Day off and thank God cause I am already tired for next month. Urghh
I just feel like I’m stuck in a gray cloud

I have done the same things, SAHM. We’re on the right track. I think we should start reminding ourselves that we’re not even six weeks into the New Year and we won’t see the positive results to the changes we’ve made overnight. Good things take time.

[GirlMomma]

Annalee I’m trying to detach again so I am not angry. I am doing a lot better at that than I was when I opened. I think my funk is just the recent struggles I’ve had.

Maybe this tough month will allow me to slow down. Maybe not having solid leads will give me the time I need to get my new DCK fully adjusted before another family comes my way that is a good fit for my current group. Everything always works out. 🥰

[Annalee]

I understand; I do think/feel this is the new norm so to make it a few more years, I am having to adapt to survive. I am utilizing many resources to assist my thinking and physically make things tolerable....if that makes sense! i was angry ALL the time but that has curbed a little. Still in the process and doing little things each day.....Hang in there!

[GirlMomma]

Annalee I am the same type-A personality. This year, I have started being a more “selfish” with my business so that works for me and not others. For example, I am taking every federal holiday off, I shortened my hours and I transitioned to a 52 week paid program.

Two families left at the end of 2022. Both of which were my worst families. They didn’t like the changes I was implementing for 2023 so they left to find a provider that worked better for them. I felt it was a win and I thought 2023 was going to be great! I filled the two spots within a week. But these two new families have shown me there is a huge shift in parenting styles.

Even though these parents are my age, they’re literally flying by the seat of their pants (as someone else on here always says!) to raise their kids. There is no respect for me, my time or my policies. There is no discipline at home. There is no structure at home. I’m convinced the only time these kids see a vegetable and a cup of water/white milk is at daycare. These parents are self diagnosing their kids with Autism/Aspergers the second the kid doesn’t hit a milestone, like talking. They’d rather Google answers instead of reading a book or simply talking to their child.

I know a lot of the vets here have experienced this shift already and have dealt with these very same issues. I have too, but not all at the same time, if that makes sense?

Perhaps I set my expectations a little too high for 2023 and I’m getting a reality check now? 😂 I don’t know. I am hopeful this isn’t the new “norm” and I can make it a few more years.

[GirlMomma]

Sahm121 I agree, having spots open is a lot to do with it, too. The last two interviews I had canceled or no called/no showed. I’ve seen other providers talk about these very same things before - but I never dealt with it all back-to-back or at the same time. That’s why I said, if this is any indication of the future, I’m done. 😂

I’m trying to find the positive in having less kids. Maybe this is God’s way of telling me to take it easy? I keep telling myself it always works out, I just have to be patient.

[Annalee]

SAHM, something else I've done which is very difficult for me as I am TYPE A-proactive-get-it-done-now.....regarding the two issues impacting me/my family personally right now......when others call/text/visit, if I can't, I tell them I CAN NOT discuss that right now/today/etc. and then I will at another time when I'm emotionally/mentally/have time ready I will set up a time/contact them....This used to make them angry cause I have always been the forerunner but I just have to say NO sometimes. One of these issues involves a lawyer and a court date so they work around me now.....just like in daycare "if someone wants your services they will make it work". I can't believe I'm even saying some of this stuff but it is where my life is now!

[Annalee]

you are welcome

[Sahm121]

Thank you Annalee.

[Annalee]

FYI.....I'm sharing what's been shared with me.....I don't usually ask for help as i'm from the pioneer generation but I have asked for help now!

[Annalee]

I understand.....keep doing the little things for yourself and after a while you will be doing alot of little things which really make a difference in a big way!

[Sahm121]

Girlmomma and SAHM, I am a long timer and come from a time when 'things' were different, maybe even more bearable however, times are so different causing frustration now more than ever. I have had to get out of my own comfort zone and TRY to curb some social-emotional issues within the kids so I don't go nuts....there are lots of terms to use but self-regulating covers the vast majority of it...so I'm working to create some 'safe zones' for one child at a time therefore I'm making multiples of these.....also I want to add personally, there are some significant issues going on as well for me.....I think child care providers are a unique brand of people and we love/care deeply in every aspect of our life.

I'm a server but the time has come to protect ME....not to forsake others but to place ME in these personal and professional equations. Does any of this make sense? Consider doing this for yourselves!

I increased paid days this year and managed one day off a month 😁. But I had a training last month that day and a training this month… next month it’s a true Day off and thank God cause I am already tired for next month. Urghh
I just feel like I’m stuck in a gray cloud

[Sahm121]

I termed two in January too - one on first day after over two hours of screaming and realizing they were not honest at all about developmental stage. Second one was coming since December when the dcf was horribly rude to me when I asked for Pick up. I’ve started two more and both are doing really well.

I think that’s why this funk is getting to me: I have another one starting Monday. That will make me full again which hasn’t happened since 2021