The Positive Thread

[Annalee]

Isn't it nice to sit down in the evening knowing you don't have to work the next day.....amazing how just the thought of my job stresses me. Been off since Monday evening.....even though I have worked in daycare a little doing some rearranging, it's different when you don't HAVE to be there....Loving my time off.....have had some issues thrown in but still some nice days so far!

[Cat Herder]

The hot tub arrives today. Turned out that the condo we had rented, then canceled, is flooded right now. If we had continued with our vacation, it would have canceled itself. I hate it for the property owners, but was glad to hear they are well insured.

[Cat Herder]

I am so excited that I found a yard sign maker that offers all of the peanuts characters for our pumpkin patch. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1078281...zC__GTycZU1vio

[Annalee]

That is soooooo cute!

[Alwaysgreener]

There's a house not too far from my house that has had the peanut characters in their front yard for a few decades. It's one of those things that I look for when I travel down there and would be disappointed if it wasn't there.

[e.j.]

So cute! I bet the kids will love them!

[Sahm121]

This was from last week but it made me smile today because I received a photo from that weekend. My youngest daughter has special needs and I applied for a weekend retreat for moms of special kids. Just 10 spots and I won. I spent the weekend doing homework and going to sessions and omg, it was just amazing. We went on a boat ride and it was the first time in a long time that I was relaxed without trying to make sure the kids were settled and that I had my bag of medical things. Today I received a picture of me sitting on a chair by the water. Everyone looks engaged in conversation and happy and there I am, head leaned back, eyes closed and with a relaxed half smile. I don’t remember the picture being taken and part of me giggled thinking I was taking a quick cat nap between sessions and didn’t realize people were talking around me 😂😂

[Cat Herder]

And..... we are outta here for the next 11 days. Whoop! Hope you guys have a great weekend and peaceful next week.

[Annalee]

Three day work week for me....fall break.....only two more days

[Blackcat31]

This morning a car pulls in the drive that I don't recognize. It's a former DCG that I had years ago. Got her at 6 weeks, She's currently 15. Polite, sweet and beautiful young lady. I don't see her often but do run into her mom in stores now and then. Anyways, she's carrying this big box .... she brought me a birthday gift that she made herself!! She included a card that said she thinks of me often and misses seeing me everyday. She wished me a happy birthday and gave me a hug and headed off to school! What a sweet and kind thing to do! I am touched! Most kids hardly remember my name when I see them lol!
I am genuinely touched by this little gals kind and sweet heart! This is what she made me:

[Rockgirl]

So sweet! Things like that make it all worthwhile. You obviously have had a positive impact on her life. ❤️

[GirlMomma]

So sweet!!

[e.j.]

What a thoughtful thing for her to do! I bet she made your day!

[Annalee]

I had made mention of my great niece now 19 months which I had not placed on a cot for nap. ALL my kids are on cots by 12 months but my niece and I have that emotional attachment....well, I placed her on cot last week and she has done great.....I was skeptical as I like my break at nap but I wish now I had used the cot sooner because she did WONDERFUL! so it's the ADULT here that messed up

[Alwaysgreener]

Or maybe not. Maybe the adult did it at the right time.

[livinglife]

I started this year and am going even further so next year, with making sure I get enough time off for me and I'm absolutely thrilled about it. I should've changed things a long time ago.

I've realized that working in this profession, you really have to look out for you and making sure you're having enough time for yourself because if not, you'll burn out.

[e.j.]

So true! I take every holiday off, have 2 weeks of vacation every year and don't work Fridays and there are times when I still don't feel as though it's enough time off! A lot depends on the behavior and personalities of the kids I have at any given time. lol

[livinglife]

" A lot depends on the behavior and personalities of the kids I have at any given time."

This is so true!! I have two dcks now that drive me up the wall. Both are professional smart alecks, with one of them being worse. Always talking back, always getting furious over simple things, always trying to be the boss, and lacks boundaries. Of course, as it always goes in my observation, she can't take back what she dishes out, then gets mad when another kid gives it back and of course she can't stand when I correct her. (Unfortunately, I think she's going to struggle socially when she starts elementary school next fall) The other also talks back, constantly ignores directions, whines about this or that (many times things that aren't there), and for all that he is very near 4 but won't go to the bathroom. Many days I feel burnt out from constantly trying to keep them on the straight and narrow.

But when one of them isn't here (so they don't play one another up) or both the day goes by so much more calmly and I'm just content and happy because the other kids are calm and well-behaved. At the end of the day I feel relaxed and not burnt out.

[GirlMomma]

By some miracle… ALL of my DCK were out the door at 4:42 PM!!!!!!

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

[Annalee]

18 working days till I'm off until January 5th....bring on Dec. 23 where I can begin.....every year at this time I'm thankful for my mentor that taught me how to take time for my family when my own kids were small....never have regretted taking the school holidays and now that my own kids are grown I'm still set for time off as it will remain the same

[Annalee]

Mom and I, some aunts and cousins, took a 7th and 12th grade student for Christmas this year; usually take little so this was a challenge but we ended up loving it....finished up this afternoon....I, and us all really, needed the time together and the time to reflect just how blessed I/we am/are.....can't wait to put all this together to given to these students.

[Cat Herder]

It is beautiful, sunny and 68 degrees out today. We spent most of it outside, almost five hours so far. They are sleeping hard, now.

[livinglife]

First of all, 8 more business days until Winter Break, ya'll.

Second of all, I did it! All of the changes I wanted to make for next year (and going forward), I made and inserted into the contract/family handbook and sent it out to the parents. The biggest and most important being my new schedule with a lot more days closed next year, which is a first for me, closing slightly earlier (which I'll be continuing to do as long as I'm running my own childcare), and slightly reducing the amount of time any child is in care. The other changes were smaller but still much needed. And actually, none of the changes are dramatic yet they do pack a punch in making things easier and more manageable for me.

Not gonna pretend, I was somewhat nervous because change can be a doozy for some people and even I fell prey to thinking oh, am I inconveniencing this person/parent? but I'm glad I didn't let myself back out. I have to do what's right and optimal for me. I'm not even pressed about money. I love what I do but I'm only one person.

[ItsAllSonShineAndRainbows]

We will FINALLY be moving to our new place this week! We have been living/working in a families basement for the last 4.5 months. They were strangers when we moved in, but absolutely friends now! It's kind of bitter sweet all around, I'm so looking forward to having my own space again, but we will miss being here! The kids kind of know we are moving, but I'm excited to set up the new classroom and pull out the new toys we got! They have had the same 5 toys for the last 4.5 months, because 90% of our belongings are in a storage unit. Everything will feel like new to them! (plus, we bought a bunch of melissa and doug stuff because it was a good deal and I have a problem )