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Mar 29, 2007 11:09:23 GMT
Post by minetto on Mar 29, 2007 11:09:23 GMT
Hi Just found this fab forum
I have been a childminder for 7 years and have a dilemma
I love the work but I am so busy and want to reduce to a 4 day week with shorter days.
Has anyone done this and it has worked?
I have started looking for work outside my home but to be honest I could not earn as much and I do not know how I would tell parents I was finishing I know how they value me
I am getting tired not surprising as I often work 60 plus hours per week
Dilemma can anyone offer advice please
Jackie xx
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Mar 29, 2007 11:18:44 GMT
Post by banana on Mar 29, 2007 11:18:44 GMT
hi Jackie,
welcome to the forum - and yes it is fab!
cant really help much as i've only just started minding over the last few months. however. I have been filling my spaces gradually and there is lots of work which isnt just full time - as im sure you are aware part timers make up a majority of your wages in most cases. How many children will you lose and how many would you be able to keep if you reduce your days?
Dont really have any great advice other than you need to do what makes you happy. Depends on wether you can afford to take the chance you may not be earing as much money.
what about overnight stays?? 1/2 a week could make up some of the business you may lose?? is there much demand for this in your area?
lana x
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Mar 29, 2007 11:23:12 GMT
Post by angeldelight on Mar 29, 2007 11:23:12 GMT
Hi Jackie and welcome
You say you have started looking for outside work does that mean you actually want to finish childminding one day soon ?
I have a few childminding friends who live other side of the country to me and they both do 4 day week because they love their Monday off
I suppose it would be hard if you are already having the children 5 days a week but if you had new children you could say you only work 4 days
Maybe you could reduce the hours you work by starting later in the mornings ie 8 if you now start at 7 and evenings 5pm if you finish later - if you get what I mean ? Do you do weekends I used to but no more it is a killer and I value my weekends too much with my family and friends so I put a stop to that.
Bit of a toughie
Maybe Pauline can help with this one I am sure she will be on later
Angel xx
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Mar 29, 2007 11:39:41 GMT
Post by minetto on Mar 29, 2007 11:39:41 GMT
Thank you both for the welcome and words of wisdom! I think my problem is that I dont know what I want! I know that I am tired of working such long hours, being taken for a mug ( late pick ups ) and the fact that I am always working and that toys and equipment have taken over our home I also love the children and being my own boss Maybe it is just a mid life crisis !!!!!!!! Gosh what a moaner I am will I get thrown off ? Promise I am not always like this Jackie
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Mar 29, 2007 11:55:04 GMT
Post by angeldelight on Mar 29, 2007 11:55:04 GMT
Do not think you are the only one
It happens to us all at one stage or another I feel the same a lot of the time more so when I get parents who are late and take me for granted
But then I remember I can do what I want when I want and the kids are lovely and so are some of the parents
I do think you should cut your hours down
Take a few days off over Easter and charge your batteries
Angel xx
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Mar 29, 2007 12:04:55 GMT
Post by Pauline on Mar 29, 2007 12:04:55 GMT
Gosh what a moaner I am will I get thrown off ? Promise I am not always like this Jackie LOL Jackie, you would have to be pretty bad to be thrown off!! (anyway, if we threw off moaners the forum would be empty ;D) Lovely to meet you by the way I know quite a few minders who only work monday to thursday so they can have a long weekend break. It works for them and the parents usually find alternative care with grandparents or relatives for that day, some even do shared minding with another minder taking the children on a friday. Like Angel says you might find it difficult to drop current children down to 4 days but why not tell the parents that you might have to do that because you are tired and finding the hours too long and see what they say, they might be happy to sort something out for the other day so that they can keep you having their children rather than you giving up altogether through exhaustion! Good luck, let us know what you decide. Do you get much of a holiday over Easter? Like Angel says perhaps you could recharge your batteries and be raring to go again after!
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