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Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

  • 1.  Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

    Posted 01-29-2019 10:54 AM
    How do you take care of yourself and avoid burn out as a person running a business and caring for children? Maybe this post can help other providers and professionals figure out ways in which to avoid burn out!

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    Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
    Family Child Care IF Facilitator
    Perfect Start Learning
    Family Child Care Provider
    Edwards, CA
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  • 2.  RE: Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

    Posted 01-30-2019 09:02 AM
    I get up earlier than I need to so I have time to work out before I start my work day.  At the end of the work day, I do my best to put away the emails, texts, and work and focus on home and family.  I take time to wind down and relax before settling into bed for the night.  This can be challenging on days when my school has meetings in the evenings and I'm not home till 10pm, but I still take that time to wind down and relax and make time for me.  I also have a rule on Sundays that I don't open the computer or check email so I have at least one full day for me and my family.

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    Sherrie Rose Mayle
    Director/Teacher
    Campbell Parents' Participation Preschool
    Campbell, CA
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  • 3.  RE: Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

    Posted 01-30-2019 12:30 PM
    I recently converted from family child care to a center.  However, I did family care for about 8 years. I took off two weeks per year.  I took mine unpaid because in my area its uncommon for providers to take two weeks paid.  But if you can get two weeks paid...that's awesome.  I also started making it a point to take weekend getaways every few months just to get away from home.  I made a new years resolution one year to travel at least 4 times.  I was able to do it and it was great.  I really felt like I wasn't so burnt out that year.  
    I also like to add new toys/centers, etc. or  change up the room when I start feeling burnt out.  It makes me excited again about my classroom.

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    Tara S.
    Director
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  • 4.  RE: Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

    Posted 01-30-2019 02:32 PM
    Hi, Temesha,
    You're so wise to recognize this issue! I was a FCC provider for 10 years before becoming a consultant. Those years were the most tiring, but most rewarding of my career. I always found taking training and reading ​in the field really reenergized me when I got in a rut, and it helped me do my job more easily and with greater confidence. I also tried to keep my program truly home-like, not like a little school, but like an extended family, but still with business sense. I charged as much as I could, to save for my kids' schooling and my retirement. I built exercise and down time into my schedule as much as reasonably possible. I also started doing some training after hours for other providers and that was a real boost to my self-esteem and brought me new opportunities. I don't know if any of these ideas might help, but wanted to share just in case.
    Thank you for doing the work you do. The impact on the lives of those children is immeasurable.
    With very best wishes,

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    Hazel Osborn
    Consultant
    Loveland CO
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  • 5.  RE: Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

    Posted 01-30-2019 04:01 PM
    We heard that a lot at the conference. That providers didnt feel encouraged to take time out for themselves or didnt know how to do so. It is so important that we feel supported and valued. It goes a long way in preventing burn out.

    I myself have begun making office hours for myself and working out in the morning alone to givw myself some time to decompress. I have also found the adult side of the business (training, colleagues and making videos) to be a great way to re energize. 

    Ms. Tessie 





  • 6.  RE: Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

    Posted 01-31-2019 10:28 AM
    I started doing yoga with a co worker after work. We worked in an infant toddler classroom, and at that time had a very challenging kiddo. That was over 12 years ago. Now I teach yoga, because it was so effective for me. I make time most days to do even just 15 minutes a day at the beginning of my day. It makes such a difference! I encourage teaching yoga to children, because its not only for them but for yourself.

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    Amanda Waters
    Oklahoma City OK
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  • 7.  RE: Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

    Posted 01-31-2019 03:58 PM
    Are you familiar with the Strengthening Families Protective Factor framework developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy?  We have found that developing the five protective factors--resilience especially--is an effective and powerful tool to prevent burnout.  I have always personally "forced myself" to put self-care at the top of my list, as we all know we cannot give what we do not have!  Good luck!

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    Maureen Durning
    Owner/Director
    Butterfly Trainings that Transform LLC
    Boise ID
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  • 8.  RE: Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

    Posted 02-01-2019 12:22 AM
    I rarely get self care being a single mom, remodeling home, taking care of my mom, and being stay at home business mom/Provider. The weekends are my relaxation time. Yet I get up, take care of myself, listen to a sermon and pray, and eat all before 6:00am. I then relax until 6:45 am to prepare my son for school. I can say me cutting out my 2nd shift, I have more mommy and son time; and I can get to be early.  Holidays and vacation time helps since I know now I can have them.  Pace and time management is the key.

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    Ms. Tamara L Red
    Owner / Provider
    Unlimited Red Expressions Licensed Home Daycare
    Danville Illinois
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  • 9.  RE: Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

    Posted 02-06-2019 12:23 PM
    Hello! My name is Donna Fowler, I am a former family child care provider and the current President of the National Association for Family Child Care. This discussion is so very important. I was just asked to be a guest writer on a blog for this exact discussion. Please google the 

    Teaching Strategies blog and search for the article "Finding Balance as a Family Child Care Provider."



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    Donna Fowler
    Bowie MD
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  • 10.  RE: Self Care for Family Child Care Providers

    Posted 02-14-2019 11:35 AM
    Donna, that is a great resource thank you so much! I was just speaking to some other providers about burn out and they have decided to leave the field because they just can't take it anymore. I think it's especially easy to see with military providers. We are not allowed to hire back up or assistants. So it's very stressful trying to find ways to care for your family while not letting down the families that depend on you for the care of their children. I am trying to encourage our leadership to look into this. But it's hard since providers are still looked at as babysitters by some of the people who have sway in making positive changes in the program.

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    Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
    Family Child Care IF Facilitator
    Perfect Start Learning
    Family Child Care Provider
    Edwards, CA
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