Sometimes it is Best to Just Let Go

I had to let a family go from childcare.  It makes me sad to say that.  Part of me feels like a big failure being I couldn't make things work...part of me is so happy that I did let her go.

I had a crier....She cried lots.  I just couldn't take it.  If I put her down she cried...If I tried to soothe her, she cried.  All of the crying made the other kids antsy.  On top of that, I had a sympathy crier in the bunch.  If one cried, they both cried.  UGH.

It would turn into a vicious circle.  She would start crying for what seemed like no reason.  My sympathy crier would then cry too.  The older kids would start in on-Jo, she's crying.  I would pick her up and try to soothe her...It didn't matter.  More crying.  I'd finally get to stop, everyone else would go back to normal and I'd have to put her down again to make lunch.  Crying would start again and the circle would go on and on.

Try as I can, nothing would change.  I talked to mom..she said-TEETH.  Of course...teeth.  A few days later and tooth in-still crying.  I suggested ears, as in ear infection.  Nope.  She's just a crier.

I think my house is too busy and overwhelming.  Someone would drop something.  Cry.  The dogs would pass by.  Cry.  If someone would squeal.  Cry.

My nerves where on edge.  I was on edge and if you've done childcare if the provider is edgy....  Everyone is then edgy.  UGH.

I talked with my husband about it several nights after childcare.  I would ask what to try.  He said, -try letting her go?  Let her go??  Quit, give up.  Me, no way.  Then week two came.  She wasn't better.  She wasn't better at all.

Worst, I found myself spending so much time with her that I couldn't manage the other kids the way they needed me.  I also found myself thinking she's gonna cry anyway so why try?  Then my inner voice would kick in say if you fall into that trap, you're just a babysitter and not a childcare provider.  I'd listen and try again.  Still no luck.

Hubby said again-let her go.

I said I wouldn't until I knew for sure that the problem wasn't related to an ear infection.  A trip to the doctor and nope.  No ear infection.

While she missed childcare and was at the doctor.  Everything here was quiet.  No crying.  No frazzled nerves, no egg shell walking and no feeling awful for not properly caring for the other kiddos.  That's when I knew it was time to let go.

I needed to let her go to preserve the others.  I had to let her go so she could find a childcare grandma or place with no dogs.  I just don't think my environment was the right environment for her.

Some child care providers can handle criers.  I can't.  I just can't.  I can't hold kids all the time.  I can't listen to the crying and know there's nothing I can do...it just makes me frazzled and not able to love my job.

It's so sad but so true.  Sometimes we do just have to let them go.

Book Review: Ten Dogs in the Window

When I was out thrifting I came across a wonderful book that I haven't seen before, Ten Dogs in the Window by Claire Masurel.



Lucky for me I got my copy for 10 cents but I can tell you it's well worth the money to purchase a copy new.

The text of the book is repetitive and my kiddos love that.  They "read" along with me.

The story starts as a pet shop owner puts 10 dogs who are up for adoption in the window.  As people walk by they look at the dogs and pick one to take home with them.  It's a great way to start conversations.  The fireman picks the dalmatian.  The poodle is picked by a clown and taught to do tricks.  All the dogs are chosen until in the end, one dog is left...a beagle.

It's a lonely little beagle in the window all alone until a family comes along and takes him home.

Of course the countdown from 10 to 1 is fun.  It's also fun to guess which dog is going home with which person.  It promoted lots of talk between the children and I.  We talked about the different dog species and how a jogger would want a dog who could run fast so a little dog wouldn't be a good choice for a jogger.

I highly recommend the book.  It's fun, educational and is a great starting point for learning about the various dog breeds.