Hi everyone. I posted in the past about working with school-agers. I currently got a new job working at a center in the Toddler room, with babies ages 12 months-18 months. My new job is a MUCH better fit for me in terms of the age level of the kids, I'm happy
But...
I find that i'm really struggling with managing my 5 kids in my room. I spend the majority of my day trying to keep on top of diapering, sanitizing, feeding, and soothing during nap time for all 5 kids. I only get help (a co-worker sits in my room) during diaper changing times and putting kids down for nap. I barely get to do anything fun or enjoy the kids, I feel like i'm just trying to stay on top of basic needs for all of them and we rarely even get to do any art, etc. Going outside for walks/park is also a huge struggle because it takes forever to dress everyone and load them into the stroller to go anywhere. I sometimes get the feeling my kids are bored and they are often crawling all over my legs and clearly want my attention.
We have a very structured daily routine but like I said, most of it is feed, diapers, snack, park, lunch, sleep, etc and all those tasks take a lot of my time especially cleaning. This might be laughable to some of you more seasoned providers, but I feel like 3 would be the perfect number for me but unfortunately I am at capacity with 5. I also have two boys who for whatever reason are constantly at each other, pushing, taking toys from each other, etc....so I have to keep on top of that too.
Is there anything I can do to infuse more fun into my day, both for myself and the kids? Any way I can curb my exhaustion?
We are understaffed (in my opinion) but there is nothing I can do to change that.
But...
I find that i'm really struggling with managing my 5 kids in my room. I spend the majority of my day trying to keep on top of diapering, sanitizing, feeding, and soothing during nap time for all 5 kids. I only get help (a co-worker sits in my room) during diaper changing times and putting kids down for nap. I barely get to do anything fun or enjoy the kids, I feel like i'm just trying to stay on top of basic needs for all of them and we rarely even get to do any art, etc. Going outside for walks/park is also a huge struggle because it takes forever to dress everyone and load them into the stroller to go anywhere. I sometimes get the feeling my kids are bored and they are often crawling all over my legs and clearly want my attention.
We have a very structured daily routine but like I said, most of it is feed, diapers, snack, park, lunch, sleep, etc and all those tasks take a lot of my time especially cleaning. This might be laughable to some of you more seasoned providers, but I feel like 3 would be the perfect number for me but unfortunately I am at capacity with 5. I also have two boys who for whatever reason are constantly at each other, pushing, taking toys from each other, etc....so I have to keep on top of that too.
Is there anything I can do to infuse more fun into my day, both for myself and the kids? Any way I can curb my exhaustion?
We are understaffed (in my opinion) but there is nothing I can do to change that.
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