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CMCLUB - dealing with stress........

10 replies

LoveMyGirls · 30/06/2006 08:38

how do you do it?

yesterday for eg i was looking after 3 children...
J(9mths)
M (3yrs)
C (6yrs)

my mum phoned to say she was popping round so i asked her to bring some jacket potatoes for tea, tea needs to be served at 5.15 at the latest because mindee needs at least 30mins to finish his dinner and have dessert and he goes at 6pm sometimes earlier.

from about 3.45pm the older two are bickering, telling tales, winding each other up (as always) and J wont stop crying because instead of her usual 2 and half hours sleep she's had about 45 mins if that all day. my mum arrived at 5 to 5 and i hug her and say im so stressed baby wont stop crying older two are winding eacch other up and their tea has to be served in about 20mins and the potatoes are in my hand doesnt help that other mindees parent has stressed me out to the max as well because she hasnt paid and i dont think shes going to without court action add to this im £1000 overdrawn (which ive never been before and i hate it) and im working 7 days a week blah blah n then then dp (who is late home from work everyday leaving me to do bathtime and clear up on my own) came in when i had my head in my hands and said whats wrong..............

sorry for this rant feel free to ignore but if you do have anything helpful to say then please do. thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Katymac · 30/06/2006 09:07

Turn to drink?

Sorry you had such a cr*p day

I can't help much......but I do have a series of frozen meals to produce at crisis times like this

DH is not very supportive when I get stressed - so I go to the pub with my mate

Not what you needed to hear I know.....sorry

HappyMumof2 · 30/06/2006 09:57

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saltire · 30/06/2006 10:11

Childminding is sometimes very stressful, and relentless. As happymum said, everyone has very high expectations of you, and you end up trying to be wonderwoman ( or at least i do).
I know how you feel, have had days like that quite a lot recently and am not really enjoying Minding at the minute. Have two mindees potty training at the minute, and its never ending, i feel like i'm drowning in a sea of p*ss!

Have you tried telling Dh how you feel about it?
Get some advice from CAB ( if you haven't already) about non-paying parent. I had this twice, and took one to court. You don't need the hassle.
Otherwise, can only offer sympathy i'm afraid!

Amylouise · 30/06/2006 11:35

Do you have any childminding support groups near you? Our local one meets every fortnight and it really helps to get to know other childminders who know what you're going through.

I hope you feel better soon XX

LoveMyGirls · 30/06/2006 13:05

hi thanks everyone, good (but not good at the same time) to see im not the only one who struggles sometimes, i am having a better day now, i went to a support group this morning and im feeling a bit more positive and putting things into perspective. i think im taking it all far too seriously i need to chill out and let my hair down i dont have a bad life really. im very fortunate to have healthy happy kids and a loving supportive partner (even if he can be a bit dim when it comes to seeing whats wrong!)

ok so im on my 6th working day and have at least the next 7days to go as well but at least im only doing 3 hours tomorrow (1pm til 4pm)and the MIL has kindly offered to have the kids overnight so we can have a lie in. (she is a god send!)

OP posts:
looneytune · 30/06/2006 14:23

As you know LMG's, I'm having a nightmare dealing with it all too and was actually going to post myself about this at the weekend. I'll still do it as I desperately need some advice about ds before I explode or just quit, which I REALLY don't want to!

I'm pleased you're having a better day and lovely that you get some space to have a nice lie in!

Isyhan · 30/06/2006 16:57

stick with it LMGs youre doing great everyone has off days especially when they start.
I too am having a rethink and Ive decided just to start off with one other mindee during the day until April to ease myself in.

looneytune · 30/06/2006 17:07

Good idea. I went straight into 4 mindees with my ds and it was just when the summer hols started - wish I hadn't!!! Go in gently!!

HappyMumof2 · 30/06/2006 18:29

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ssd · 30/06/2006 19:28

The childminders I know are either totally stressed out by it all or so laid back I'd be scared to leave my kids with them.........

Like you I try to be perfect when minding, God knows why, we get £3 and hour round here, most people wouldn't try too hard in the office for that.....

hope it gets better.no real advice, just sympathies and to let you know you're not alone!

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