Just wondering how do you ensure you get me time and family time when childminding?

[MUM2BLESS]

I have been cm over 4 years. I must admit sometimes it has been full on with long hours and paperwork. You gain lots of hands on experience.

Over the years I have had to cut my hours down to meet the needs of my own family and for myself too.

I work mon to fri 07.30 to 6pm. soon on Thur and Fri I will have kids before and after school, non during the school hours. Time for house work, me time and paper work etc. I enjoy gardening. It so relaxing.

During the hols I only have one out of of six kids.

I am now getting more times to do my paper work, which was mounting up.

It must be challenging at time for mothers who work outside the house too.

We went away abroad for 10 days last month. I was able to put up my feet and just chill. No cooking. No paperwork.

What do you do to ensure you get me and family time. Maybe you do not have any time.

What do you and your family enjoy doing when you are not cm.

I hope this will help those who are considering cm or just starting out

I have been working some days 6am-7pm for the last 2 years but this week my mindee has started nursery and it has been great having time on a morning to do ironing, make appointments for personal things and spending time with my own ds before he starts nursery next term, wish I could afford not to fill my other place but will enjoy it while it lasts!

I have also been really poorly lately and enjoyed a quiet school holiday for a change. We also went away for 2 weeks which was great but made me not want to start school runs etc in sept, it hasn't been as bad as I imagined luckily.

I don't start before 8, so I can give my DD a lift to her school bus (she could walk, but it's good bonding time - age 13). DH and I pop out for an occasional beer and sandwich to get away from home (and work). Got a little one for a sleepover tonight.

21 years of childminding, in the beginning I had a life but it has gradually taken over. It started when I became chair of the local childminding association, and since then the EYFS has arrived and I am totally focused on work. I do a bit of gardening as relaxation, I used to quilt but my sewing room has been unused for quite a while.

I have cut back on the hours I work and I take Mondays off but tend to spend part of that day doing something childminding related-planning or shopping for resources.

I get onto the computer every evening about 7 and finish about 10pm in time for bed. You probably wonder what an earth I am doing, well last night was spent on my continuous provision sheets, I am up-dating them. Tonight I have been on a few cm forums. I have uploaded the weeks photo?s onto the computer, and looking through them I have made a few notes on what we may do next week (PLOD?s). I still have to finish the CP sheets. I don?t see any other way of doing things- the hours must be put in- and I am chief cook & bottle washer/jack of all trades.
I will spend tomorrow daytime with the family; I may/will do something cm related on the computer in the eve and no doubt something cm related on Sunday but i hope to get out into the garden as my veg plot needs attention.

Thank you.

I am about to tidy up as I am ready to go up to bed.

Got paperwork on the floor, chairs, table and on the computer table. It a great feeling seeing it clearing.

Good night.

sounds like you are overwhelmed...can you look at your 'paperwork' and reflect on what can be cut down to the necessary? Working 5 days as a c/m is very hard due to the long hours and constant demands...can you cut one day and move the children to the other 4?
I did this a while back and found the balance is now very stable...you need more ME time!!!
Good luck

Well i am a lone parent of 2 (age 12 and 17) so i have to make time for my family.
I work between 45 and 50 hours a week but i never take on a child who would need to be here past 5.30 (except in emergencies of course) and i don't childmind at weekends.
I do paperwork no more than 2 evenings a week (usually linking observations and doing next steps and then keeping up with accounts) and i do a bit more at the weekend (usually learning journeys) when my eldest is at her part tiime job and my ds is at his dads, that way i don't lose time with my kids.
I have really cut down on the amount of paperwork i do, i was Ofsted inspected in March and she said i am doing more than enough so i do not intend to give myself anymore work than necessary.
I lost my dad and my best friend to cancer last year and its made me realise that life is short and I need more me time and i have managed it. I now go away for weekends and take my kids out more, this job is not going to take over my life again.