i am so tired - i think i have taken on to much..

[MaryPoppinsMagic]

Hello again,

So I didn't give up the childminding and have persevered but I am so tired now!

I have dd (20 months) and 2 mindees one 8am-6pm (11 months) and one (13 months) 3 days a week 12-3.30 I am so shattered by the end of the day I am in bed by 9.

By the time I have naps and meal times sorted I don't get out the house, I've not been out for over a week and I think were all having 4 wall syndrome! The full timer is proving difficult and won't eat / sleep and just screams at me all the time. The last few times the part timer is here he won't let me leave the room for a second or even put him down he just wants to be cuddled, my dd is being very jealous also

On top of this I am doing the childminders course CYPOP5 and also a learn direct a-level course, I'm so far behind on the course work that I don't know where to start now, not that I have the energy to do it in the evenings. Oh and then there's paper work - invoices, daily diaries, observations and attendance registers!

Not sure there's any advice but just a moan!

You need to get out. i've sourced all the best toddler groups where you get very substantial snacks. That way, the morning is taken care of messing up a sure start place etc. rather than your own home, and lunch is sorted!! Then it's back home for a sleep at midday'ish hopefully for at least an hour while I make evenin meal. By the time they wake up, it's not long till school run which breaks the afternnon up, then back for tea, TV then home.
having said that, I'm still knackered all the time as I also have 3 little ones under 20 months.
paperwork, do the bare minimum, I do an observation 9 third side of A4) once a month for each child. ot a good in inspection a few wekks ago and she said that was more than enough.
I keep telling myself it'll get easier as they get older!!
Ps. with naps, prod them awake till playgroup time, then they'll sleep loner in the afternoon!

Don't worry, its early days and it does get easier! Try to simplify meals (make in advance or have sandwiches/pasta for a few days), don't worry too much about the paperwork (bar invoices!) for a few days - just make quick notes on anything major the mindees do, so you won't forget what they were like when they started with you (as you have to show value added to Ofsted).

Put the part-time screamer in a highchair so they're on eye level with you and you can chat/reassure them whilst you get on with what you need to do. The rest of the time sit on the floor if you can, with a big pile of toys to entertain them - then you're between them and can give a bit of attention to each.

Also - get out of the house! As soon as breakfast is over whip the mindees into a pushchair and set off! Pick a playgroup, or if there isn't one then just go to a shop/park/river! Anywhere that means you get fresh air. If it conflicts with one of their naps then let them sleep in the buggy! :)

Good luck!

Ps. with naps, prod them awake till playgroup time, then they'll sleep longer in the afternoon!

at this! I forgot to say - its very, very important that you 'encourage' them all to nap at the same time, then you get a break and time for a cup of tea. :)

I've tried getting them to nap at the same time however one will wake the other then the other won't go to sleep etc etc.. Its a nightmare. I think I need to be more persistent with it.

Good idea about breakfast then out.. I like the idea of a longer nap after lunch.

Just got home from the final session of my training course so I'm going to be shattered tomorrow full of cold! Atleast its friday..

I've tried getting them to nap at the same time however one will wake the other then the other won't go to sleep etc etc.. Its a nightmare. I think I need to be more persistent with it.

Good idea about breakfast then out.. I like the idea of a longer nap after lunch.

Just got home from the final session of my training course so I'm going to be shattered tomorrow full of cold! Atleast its friday..

Can you separate them so they don't wake each other up? I have DS upstairs, one mindee in front hall, one in the back hall. :)

Looking at your post again I'd expect the 11mth old is having 2 naps a day and 13mth & 20mth old 1 nap? If so I'd use the time when the 11mth old has their short AM nap (they can sleep in the buggy whilst you're out) to have quiet time with your dd (hopefully this'll help her jealousy and you won't feel guilty that you feel you're giving her less attention). Then aim to synchronise their pm naps so you get your break. Sorry if you'd already thought of that...

It does get easier! When I 1st started I had 2 x 10 mth olds (including DS) and had 1 memorable nap time where I spent at least 30 minutes running up and downstairs trying to simultaneously settle screaming DS and screaming new mindee! ARGH It was horrible and I really wondered what I'd let myself in for. It took a couple of days to work out how to settle one 1st, then the other (d'oh!). Now they all know whats expected and when I tell them its naptime they all collect up their comforters and hop into their buggies.

Well done for finishing your training course. - hopefully thats one less thing to worry about!

It is really tiring when you first start. You will soon get into a routine. Like others have said, getting out of the house will help you all. Picture these same children in 6 months time ... all a little more independent and playing together beautifully :).

Good for you getting on with your studies. You will get a great sense of achievement that you have managed to do that as well as set up a business. Look at your study timetable and see where there is room to get behind and when you might have time to catch up. Talk to your tutors if you need to.

Well done you.

leeloo I put my dd in her room, then one mindee in the travel cot in the front bedroom but they woke each other up. Well dd woke mindee up. I could bring the travel cot downstairs and set it up each time I need to do naps but it seems like a nightmare.

I'm going to get a timetable of play sessions sorted that way I will have something to do every morning

HSMM there seems to be no gaps. I've had a cold for the last 3 weeks because I am so tired from the early starts and late finishes. I seem to spend the weekend laid on the sofa and dp is getting annoyed with it now.

I am considering not working mondays and telling the parents I'm dropping the day for family reasons. Both families have alternative childcare as the children were looked after by grandparents before they came to me.

leeloo I put my dd in her room, then one mindee in the travel cot in the front bedroom but they woke each other up. Well dd woke mindee up. I could bring the travel cot downstairs and set it up each time I need to do naps but it seems like a nightmare.

I'm going to get a timetable of play sessions sorted that way I will have something to do every morning

HSMM there seems to be no gaps. I've had a cold for the last 3 weeks because I am so tired from the early starts and late finishes. I seem to spend the weekend laid on the sofa and dp is getting annoyed with it now.

I am considering not working mondays and telling the parents I'm dropping the day for family reasons. Both families have alternative childcare as the children were looked after by grandparents before they came to me.