Family Matters
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
3 kids under the age of 2, am I crazy?
Ugh...I am crazy. I have an almost two year old son. Just in the last couple of weeks I volunteered to watch twins who will be 2 in Feb.The twins are my inlaws friends kids. I also have a full time job as an RN. I said I would watch the kids on the days that I don't work as an RN. I am only getting min wage to watch the twins. My inlaws watch the twins on the days that I work. Not to mention I have a 30min drive to and from the twins home. I think I bit off totally more than I can chew. Am I crazy? I feel totally overwhelmed!!! It has only been a couple of weeks, since I started watching them, so I feel bad about saying I can't do this anymore....but at the same time I am exhausted and have been sick to my stomach. Help!!!
Re: 3 kids under the age of 2, am I crazy?
No, you're not crazy. Why did you agree to this in the first place?
Simply tell them that as much as you thought you'd be able to help, you've simply taken on more than you can chew. To be gracious and avoid bad feelings, give them a week or two to find a replacement (but do give them an actual hard date, as in, "I can watch them until next Friday, October 22, but after that you'll have to send them somewhere else."), but make it clear that you just can't do it anymore.
Could it be that you're still adjusting to the change in your schedule and are just feeling overwhelmed? I mean...if you truly are in too deep then I'd say go ahead and get out.
But, I am one of those people who doesn't take change that well. When I mess with my schedule, it takes me a month or two to learn how to re-juggle everything and make everything work again. Is there a compromise...such as they bring the twins to your place so you don't have to drive as much? Or you ask them for more money since you commute to their place and put wear and tear mileage on your car? Just some suggestions...but like I said if you're in too deep...go ahead and do what the other poster said and give them a time frame to find someone new.
You are a very nice person. In fact, you're awsome.
(Is that what you needed to hear? Can you get over it now and stop this nonsense?)
Quit now. There's a reason RNs have the schedule they do -- it's a demanding job and you need the physical and mental break between shifts.
Plus, they are totally screwing you on wages. I pay high school students $8/hour for my two kids; college students $10/hour; and adult professionals $15/hour. With your nursing license, I'd think your market rate is in the $15-25/hour range for childcare!
Etsy shop
I am unclear as to the actual problem. If it is that it is too demanding of you time then I would give notice and quit. If it's just that it's a lot of work taking care of 3 two year olds then I would say maybe good planning would help. If it's the latter I would try to plan your day in similar way to a day care center. Get a good schedule going with organized activities. It's much easier to keep 3 kids entertained if they are all playing with blocks or all doing a craft. If you are acting like when you're at home with your son and just letting them all hang out, I can imagine it's kinda zoolike. Daycare teachers take care of 6-8 kids at a time so it can be done (I understand you're not a daycare teacher, just using example).
I think you need to figure out the real problem and go from there.
Also if you do want to quit but don't want to hurt feeling or burn bridges, maybe you can offer to help if they are in an pinch and need someone occasionally. This way they know it's not personal, just too much.
What is it about us woman who think we can take on the world and then we wonder why we are tired, crabby and feel like we want to drop?
I don't imagine I would be able to work full time. Take care of my own 2 year old and then to top it off on my days off take care of someone elses little ones away from home.
I'd give it a little more time and if you still feel overwhelmed, just be honest with them. They are bound to understand. GL
Speak sweetly so that if you ever have to eat your words, they don't taste bad.
~Unknown~
Lesson learned!!