The Day I Quit...

Ever felt like this???

Naaahhhhh.....me either!!!

There are days filled with amazing moments, skills developed and celebrated, lessons packed with wonder; miraculous incredible, worthy moments that take my breath away and confirm that I was meant to be doing what I do.

And then there are the moments when everyone had a late night and I swear ice tea and M&M's on their way to me.  You know those times.  If you are being honest with yourself and everyone else....just...like...me.  

One day....I quit.   I just quit.  I quit on the inside and on the outside.  I quit.

But thankfully, not in the way you might think.  

You see...after several days of feeling like this picture on the inside, I realized that I was trying to do to much ALL BY MYSELF. 

I recognized I was headed for burnout.  

As you can see if you have visited my site very often or read any of my blogs, I love my job.  I love my business.  I love the children that I spend my days with.  I love their families!!!

I couldn't allow burnout to be the end result of all my hard work.  I had to take a step back and reassess what was working and what wasn't.  

These are the 3 things I learned in my search to reignite my passion, regain my energy, and remind myself of how important it was to be an Early Childhood Educator in the lives of the little ones in my care.

Lesson #1 -I Quit Believing That What I 
Did Was Small.

I had a dream.






I was working with my preschool children in my home and suddenly I was playing with them in the yard.  (Nothing unique)

The scene quickly shifted and I was standing in the middle of a soccer field with children of all ages rushing at me onto the field carrying all sorts of gifts.  Their families were following closely behind, all smiles, compliments and hugs of gratitude.  The gifts kept piling up and the scene shifted again.  I was now a very old woman and being called on stage to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with children.  

The auditorium was filled and though I was happy to be accepting an award, I was so humbled that God allowed me to be the one that touched so many little lives, ones whom were now parents and grandparents themselves.  The love in that room was undeniable....palatable...something I doubt many will ever experience in their lifetime.  But I do, everyday...
 
The day I quit; I quit believing I was just a babysitter.  I caught the God given vision of what it is to be in a child's life.    The days of not feeling appreciated may still come, days when someone doesn't fully realize how much of myself I POUR into these little beings.  I quit allowing those days to haunt my thoughts and choose to reflect on the truth....that children hold the "very face of God." (Matthew 18:10) and if I am caring for them with love and kindness where do you think that puts me???  I bet pretty darn close... Which is why I know He gave me that specific dream.  To remind me....and you that what you do each and everyday holds great value.

"Every child you encounter is a divine appointment." 
  — Wess Stafford, President Emeritus of Compassion International

I became highly intentional and laser focused on my goal and priorities and stripped away everything that didn't align with those..   

Which are...in order...

My God, my family, my littles (children in my care.)...

You know the saying, "Me third?"  Mine is, "Me fourth."  It works for me...

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Lesson #2 - Quit Quitting...

I used to have a saying, "I'm done!"  

I would say it every time I would be at the end of my patience with my little girl.  When I would announce that phrase, she knew the conversation was DONE and mamma' wasn't going to give it any further attention.  

I though this was working quite well.  I mean the argument would end, albeit in her frustrated and in tears, but it would end.  

Then one day I realized just how this was affecting her  when I again proclaimed, "I'm DONE!" and she said, "Done loving me, Mommy?" It still brings me to my knees.  

I got down low and looked her straight in her big brown, tear-filled eyes and said, "I will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER quit loving you."  "Mommy is so sorry."  "I love you."  

I have never again repeated those words.  That night I quit quitting on the people and things that mean the most to me no matter how hard it might get.  No matter how tired I am.  Regardless, I am not quitting.  I will press on.  I will hug more, laugh more, slow down, and be present.  I will quit quitting on them just to fill my own need to be "done."

The best advice I have ever read it this...
                                                                                             and you can quote me on that.............

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Lesson #3 - Quit Faking It.

Words are empty without action.  Quit faking it.  Once I recognized my need, I didn't quit there.  I took action!  

I have, in the past, pacified my own needs with inspirational books, quotes, surrounding myself with positivity and reducing the amount of negative influences by carefully choosing what I say and think and those I am surrounded by.  And though all these things are good, and the typical advice of "self-help" gurus and guides, even the Bible says, "hearing and doing." the emotional pump from daily memes will quickly fade in the day to day of life.  Real change takes action, not just 'inspiration'ese.'.  

What did this look like for me?  

First, I bought a curriculum...

First, I began my search for a curriculum that was research based, covered all the basis of Kindergarten readiness, social/emotional skills, play-based, affordable, had state aligned standards, and measurable assessments, that was "out of the box" literally and figuratively to give my evenings and weekends back to my family.  I did a study and decided on Mother Goose Time.  The other curriculum I researched were fantastic and I have nothing against any of them.  Mother Goose Time just fit me best.

Second, I hired help...

Second, I hired MORE help.  One might think that having less money would cause more stress, but no....not when it allows for an even better program.  We are now a 1/5 Teacher/Child ratio, instead of the standard 1/10 for licensed programs in Missouri.  This allows me to do more individually with each child.  (again...highly intentional)

Third, I purchased a record keeping software to simplify my daily book work.

Third, after researching record keeping softwares for some time, I made the plunge and picked one.  I decided on Minute Menu for its ease of use, affordability, and direct connection with childcare providers.  

Finally, I set out to finish what I started...

Lastly, and not at all least, I decided to go back to school to finish what I started many years ago to complete my degree in Early Childhood Education.  It won't take long, it's just been sitting there on the shelf waiting for me to "finish."  

That's A Wrap!

I approached burnout with a common held belief that I simply needed to work less.  

I was wrong.  

What I needed was a new approach at living my life, work included.  Through prayer and faith I realized that what I lacked was focus.  With a fresh vision of what God had planned for me I was able to realign my life and ignite a new passion for completing the work He had laid out for me.  And if you are a child care provider, a preschool teacher, a nanny, a babysitter, a custodial grandparent, a SAHM.... it's your path too.
  
"I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me..." - Acts 20:24

I wish you well and I hope you get to play today.