All of the small towners...

[Tdhmom]

I'm back! I haven't been on here much in the last week in a half, I had training for the new job I took with our school district for the Parents as Teachers program for the parent educator happyface

Well after being in training for the last week and came back to the 2 dck's plus my 3 children, I realized I really really really don't enjoy doing this anymore. I don't have the patience I used to have and by the end of the day I don't have patience for my own kids.
I'm almost positive I can make what I am making now (I think maybe a little more) with just the parents as teachers income, it's basically a stay as busy as you would like kind of job.

SO here's my predicament...the dcm (only one I have) is the superintendents secretary at our school (the one for whom I'm working for), I would have to see her all the time, and I can't forget our kids are the same age so they would be in the same class until they graduate. Our class sizes are like 8-12, so only one class per grade. I'm imagining this being incredibly awkward for years to come if I quit on her and then on the other hand I'm trying to tell myself I only have 2 years left and they'll be in school...but TWO years is a long time...not to mention every summer after that I'm sure I'll get talked into still watching them.

These are my main reasons for even thinking about wanting to quit....I feel completely unconnected from everyone during daycare hours...I'm burnt out. I'm sure it has a lot to do with my school age kids being home and it feels like they run amuck all day and night. My nap time aka "only break" is no longer because they have all their neighborhood friends over and even though my rule is outside during nap they still run in and out in and out, getting drinks, going to the bathroom, getting a snack, getting the ball and bat, etc. My hours have went from 8-4 to 7:45-4:30 (doesn't seem like a big deal but when I'm finding out about the 4:30 the day of and you just really want to be off work it gets frustrating, and is happening multiple times a week). They are only children (twins) so mom and dad give their undivided attention all day long, me...not so much. I interact with everyone don't get me wrong but there are so many things they can do and many kids to choose from for play...I think they should be playing, not "hey Heidi hey Heidi hey Heidi" every 2 minutes. Then their dad...he is self employed and I see him drive by while we're outside AT LEAST once a week. Craning his neck to see what his kids are doing...if you are that worried about what we're playing then come get them and play with them yourself...see I'm awfully bitter.

If you've made it this far, thanks :: Basically besides wanting to get this off my chest I'm wondering if anyone who lives in a small community has ever quit on someone like that? I don't feel like it's fair to my kids, my daycare families or myself to dislike my job this much. I started really feeling this way after I had some tough kids leave and I haven't gotten out of this funk. That was back in May!!!!

[Shell]

This is a tough situation to be in. Do you know any great providers with spaces available that you could recommend? If so, I would let her know that daycare is an isolating profession and since you've had a taste of life outside of the home, you've decided to make a new move. I live in an average sized town, and running into termed families is awkward! Just think long and hard (I'm sure you are) and good luck!

[Tdhmom]

This is a tough situation to be in. Do you know any great providers with spaces available that you could recommend? If so, I would let her know that daycare is an isolating profession and since you've had a taste of life outside of the home, you've decided to make a new move. I live in an average sized town, and running into termed families is awkward! Just think long and hard (I'm sure you are) and good luck!

Bolded is exactly how I'm feeling! I've been cooped up for so long, I got out last week with my own hotel room and no one to answer to and I think I enjoyed the piece and quiet and actual adult conversations a little too much ::

That's the other bummer about all this...there's a really nice one that's a little farther drive for them than my house (maybe 3 miles) but they have zero openings until 2015.

[KidGrind]

I'm back! I haven't been on here much in the last week in a half, I had training for the new job I took with our school district for the Parents as Teachers program for the parent educator happyface

Well after being in training for the last week and came back to the 2 dck's plus my 3 children, I realized I really really really don't enjoy doing this anymore. I don't have the patience I used to have and by the end of the day I don't have patience for my own kids.
I'm almost positive I can make what I am making now (I think maybe a little more) with just the parents as teachers income, it's basically a stay as busy as you would like kind of job.

SO here's my predicament...the dcm (only one I have) is the superintendents secretary at our school (the one for whom I'm working for), I would have to see her all the time, and I can't forget our kids are the same age so they would be in the same class until they graduate. Our class sizes are like 8-12, so only one class per grade. I'm imagining this being incredibly awkward for years to come if I quit on her and then on the other hand I'm trying to tell myself I only have 2 years left and they'll be in school...but TWO years is a long time...not to mention every summer after that I'm sure I'll get talked into still watching them.

These are my main reasons for even thinking about wanting to quit....I feel completely unconnected from everyone during daycare hours...I'm burnt out. I'm sure it has a lot to do with my school age kids being home and it feels like they run amuck all day and night. My nap time aka "only break" is no longer because they have all their neighborhood friends over and even though my rule is outside during nap they still run in and out in and out, getting drinks, going to the bathroom, getting a snack, getting the ball and bat, etc. My hours have went from 8-4 to 7:45-4:30 (doesn't seem like a big deal but when I'm finding out about the 4:30 the day of and you just really want to be off work it gets frustrating, and is happening multiple times a week). They are only children (twins) so mom and dad give their undivided attention all day long, me...not so much. I interact with everyone don't get me wrong but there are so many things they can do and many kids to choose from for play...I think they should be playing, not "hey Heidi hey Heidi hey Heidi" every 2 minutes. Then their dad...he is self employed and I see him drive by while we're outside AT LEAST once a week. Craning his neck to see what his kids are doing...if you are that worried about what we're playing then come get them and play with them yourself...see I'm awfully bitter.

If you've made it this far, thanks :: Basically besides wanting to get this off my chest I'm wondering if anyone who lives in a small community has ever quit on someone like that? I don't feel like it's fair to my kids, my daycare families or myself to dislike my job this much. I started really feeling this way after I had some tough kids leave and I haven't gotten out of this funk. That was back in May!!!!

Just tell the DCPs, you’ve decided to close up at the end of August. You don’t owe them anything. Be pleasant about it and don’t tell them any additional information that you don’t want to. You don’t have to explain either.

And if by chance you want to give them a reason I’d say, “I’ve decided to shut down to switch the direction of my career and spend one on one with my children. Thanks for understanding!"

[Play Care]

Just tell the DCPs, you’ve decided to close up at the end of August. You don’t owe them anything. Be pleasant and it and don’t tell them any additional information that you don’t want to. You don’t have to explain either.

And if by chance you want to give them a reason I’d say, “I’ve decided to shut down to switch the direction of my career and spend one on one with my children. Thanks for understanding!"

This! I would kill her with kindness when you see her out and about. I assume you will be giving appropriate notice so there is no reason to feel guilty or like you are "quitting on" her. You are entitled to move on to a new phase in your life. DCP's do it all the time to us and don't feel a moment of guilt...

[KidGrind]

you are entitled to move on to a new phase in your life. Dcp's do it all the time to us and don't feel a moment of guilt...

amen!

[Unregistered]

Congrats! I left family child care to go back into parent education. I'm very familiar with PATeachers. I had been a PE for 14 years, left because we lost our grant, tried family child care for a year but was not happy. I found my current job in a different city.

Good luck to you! I love it. ;-)

[sugar buzz]

I live in a very small community and have had two non-mutual terms. You can bet that I never run into anyone else, besides those two parties! It is awkward, at first--lots of quick, polite exchanges. I would say that most people do not like to hold on to grudges, and once they're not emotionally involved anymore, they tend to soften. Now, we'll even stop and chat. They'll get over it.

[DaveA]

You're allowed to make decisions on you professional life for the benefit of yourself and your own family. Say you're closing to pursue a different option that suits your family situation better. Be friendly and polite about it and I doubt there will be any issues.

Enjoy

[hope]

Allow yourself to put you first and not feel guilty about it. If she works where you are interviewing she may already know. If it's a surprise to her than you can tell her that you are glad you will still See each other often bc you have grown close with her child and can keep in touch this way. Apologize for the inconvenience and the rest is on her.

[Tdhmom]

Congrats! I left family child care to go back into parent education. I'm very familiar with PATeachers. I had been a PE for 14 years, left because we lost our grant, tried family child care for a year but was not happy. I found my current job in a different city.

Good luck to you! I love it. ;-)

I'm really looking forward to this and that week long training of foundational and model was grueling! It was a TON of information thrown at you at once. How were you with juggling everything? I believe my caseload will be around 14-16 families (that was what the previous PE had). I have to hold monthly group connections, which I'm really looking forward to but just curious how much time I'm really going to have to devote. If I continue providing child care is my PAT going to suffer or vice versa. Mix those feelings with being burnt out (I think summer is a big contributing factor...my SA are driving my bonkers and I'm wanting to go go go since we're stuck stuck stuck all school year and I'm just not able to do whatever we feel like).