It is so hard

[SLP958]

My mom thinks I am putting my health at risk but I can't explain why I can't miss, or let's just say if I do my team members are at risk and it is not fair to them

Have you spoken to your counselor about this irrational need to be at your volunteer position all the time?

Please don't go back there. I keep thinking about this and as a parent it is so scary.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Tink - You and I work in the same type of classroom (special needs, preschool). As I'm sure you know, it's not an easy job even on days when you're feeling great. I'm a paid staff member and on days when I'm not feeling well, I take a sick day and call in for a sub. It's not good for me, the kids, or the other staff members if I'm not well enough to do my best. It can even become a safety issue since we often have to chase kids who run away from us, break up fights, and give 100% of our attention to situations in which someone could get hurt.

I would urge you not to go to work on days when you're not feeling your best. Your classroom team will compensate for your absence by getting someone else to help, or dividing up tasks in a different way. A volunteer job is important and I admire your dedication, but it's not worth risking your health.

 

[StephMK]

Tink - You and I work in the same type of classroom (special needs, preschool). As I'm sure you know, it's not an easy job even on days when you're feeling great. I'm a paid staff member and on days when I'm not feeling well, I take a sick day and call in for a sub. It's not good for me, the kids, or the other staff members if I'm not well enough to do my best. It can even become a safety issue since we often have to chase kids who run away from us, break up fights, and give 100% of our attention to situations in which someone could get hurt.

I would urge you not to go to work on days when you're not feeling your best. Your classroom team will compensate for your absence by getting someone else to help, or dividing up tasks in a different way. A volunteer job is important and I admire your dedication, but it's not worth risking your health.

I agree. I work with elem. kids with special needs and have worked with preschoolers in the past. It is very draining work, even on the good days. Do not put your health or the kids at risk by continuing to struggle to go in. While I'm sure they appreciate your dedication, your mom is right - you need to take care of YOU, your health and safety and that does affect others too.

If you refuse to quit completely, how about telling them you are taking a leave of absence for 3 months and see if you don't start feeling better and less stressed. Good luck and hope you feel better.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I am not contagious however it screws with my menial health everything from suicide thoughts to to seeing "friends"

What does, Tink? The stress of work?

 

[hereyago]

You need to just stop volunteering and focus on getting yourself help. As for the place of work I am not trying to be mean, but they were open and running before you started volunteered there, they will keep on doing what they need to do. Yes, I am sure you volunteering helped the paid employees, but people are very replaceable.

Discuss what you feel with your counselor. If I recall you are on meds, perhaps they need to be "tweaked" or your sessions may need to be more intensive.

As a parent of a child, I wouldn't want someone who was having those thoughts near my kid.

There is no shame in asking your counselor for help, that is what they are there for.

 

[htmom]

OK. No offence, but I would not want you working around my kids. I get that you are just a volunteer, but you are one that is there a lot. Your boss and coworkers need to know these things at least. I think you need to leave there for awhile, maybe find another volunteer position not directly with children.

 

[Laura66]

OK. No offence, but I would not want you working around my kids. I get that you are just a volunteer, but you are one that is there a lot. Your boss and coworkers need to know these things at least. I think you need to leave there for awhile, maybe find another volunteer position not directly with children.

I know right?????

I know the OP is a sweet person and I feel for her - but with the emotional issues she has I just don't think its appropriate for her to be around children like she is.

The questions she posts here show that living day to day is overwhelming! And while I'm glad that she feels comfortable here and gets some wonderful advise here - again, working and being somewhat responsible for young children is inappropriate,

 

[Liberty Belle]

As long as her supervisor's know her condition, I think she's fine with the children. I'm just concerned that it's too much for her.

 

[sunshinehighway]

You need to just stop volunteering and focus on getting yourself help. As for the place of work I am not trying to be mean, but they were open and running before you started volunteered there, they will keep on doing what they need to do. Yes, I am sure you volunteering helped the paid employees, but people are very replaceable.

Discuss what you feel with your counselor. If I recall you are on meds, perhaps they need to be "tweaked" or your sessions may need to be more intensive.

As a parent of a child, I wouldn't want someone who was having those thoughts near my kid.

There is no shame in asking your counselor for help, that is what they are there for.

A job with young children that is stressful combined with suicidal thoughts and seeing things is a very bad combination.
Add to that some of the very inappropriate things the Op has posted her (I'm sure some of you know what I'm taking about) and you also have someone who has issues with boundaries and understanding privacy.
It's actually quite scary.

 

[phorsenuf]

A job with young children that is stressful combined with suicidal thoughts and seeing things is a very bad combination.
Add to that some of the very inappropriate things the Op has posted her (I'm sure some of you know what I'm taking about) and you also have someone who has issues with boundaries and understanding privacy.
It's actually quite scary.

I would have to agree with this. Hallucinations, hearing voices (I think she asked about that before) and suicidal thoughts are not a good combination. I would be very wary of what may happen if she snaps. I certainly wouldn't want her around my children. I find this all to be very unsettling. Who knows what the voices or hallucinations could cause her to do. She obviously isn't concerned about her own life, so why would she be about others? Is this line of thinking extreme? More then likely, but why take the chance.

Originally Posted by tinkerbellandeeyor
I am not contagious however it screws with my menial health everything from suicide thoughts to to seeing "friends"

OP- sounds to me you need to stop at the school, stop being around children and get yourself some help. I would even go so far as saying inpatient help.

 

[luvsJack]

I don't find anything inappropriate that she has posted.

But I am very concerned about her.

As a volunteer, she shouldn't ever be alone with the kids or counted in the ratio of the preschool. Most of the time a volunteer simply helps with things in the classroom.

Sounds like maybe she helps with some of the behavior issues?? Maybe sitting with a child to keep him/her in his seat or helping him/her to remember to keep his hands to himself, keeping them on task, something like that.

I agree that if the people in charge of the school know what is going on and are ok with her being there, they must know something we don't about the well being of the children.



Tink, please, make sure you are taking care of yourself. Take a long break and go back when you feel ready. I think you are a wonderful person to volunteer and be as responsible as you are about your work but just like any other employee, sometimes you have to put yourself first not your job. And like any other one else, you can't take care of others (or teach others) if you don't take care of yourself first.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I'm really hoping one of the Dis detectives can use all of her posts to figure out where she works and report it to the school she volunteers at. Not to get her in trouble, but to get her help. She was actually a student there, and I have a feeling she aged out of the program , but continues to volunteer there as there may not be a program nearby for adults.

 

[phorsenuf]

I'm really hoping one of the Dis detectives can use all of her posts to figure out where she works and report it to the school she volunteers at. Not to get her in trouble, but to get her help. She was actually a student there, and I have a feeling she aged out of the program , but continues to volunteer there as there may not be a program nearby for adults.

I think that is going a little too far. I would hope the OP will read the responses and think very hard about her decision. If I recall she is on Christmas break now.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I can work around it it is not my first rodeo (sp)

There is no need to work around it though. Your job and the role you play is not important enough that you need to continue doing it when you should be taking care of yourself.

You are not relying on this job for any income. You are a volunteer that I am sure plays an important role at your work but not a critical one. This means that while you are important, they will adjust roles or can find somebody else to take over your responsibilities seemlessly. There is no risk to them in any way if you leave. Nothing is in jeopardy.

If you stay when you are unwell, you not only take away from your own recovery, it will also lead to you not doing your best. No matter what you think, you cannot be the best when you are not at your best. That is unfair to you, your co-workers and to the kids. It is also unfair to your mom who is worrying with good reason.

Sometimes as an adult we have to make decisions based on what needs to be done or on what should be done, not what we want to do. What needs to be done is that you resign from your position while you focus on your mental health. That is way more important than any job.

 

[dimimi]

I can bet that you love your volunteering job. You are commended for your desire to work and your work ethic is better than some paid employees.

I can also understand that sometimes it is better to go to "work" than to sit at home.

However... as a volunteer, you need to know that you can come and go as you please. As long as you let your head teacher know about your Doctor appointments, she will work around your schedule.

Many of us think that our job can't happen without us being there, however, other people can help and the day will be fine without you. Take care of yourself so as the days go on, you will be there to help the kids.

 

[SLP958]

I wonder why OP has not responded to this thread?

This has been on my mind today.

 

[Cantw8]

I wonder why OP has not responded to this thread?

This has been on my mind today.

Maybe because someone suggested that she be stalked and her place of employment informed about what she posted??? There are boards in place for that kind of nonsense, I didn't realize the Dis was one of them

 

[SLP958]

Maybe because someone suggested that she be stalked and her place of employment informed about what she posted??? There are boards in place for that kind of nonsense, I didn't realize the Dis was one of them

Good point.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

The OP is hearing voices and having hallucinations. In past posts she has been borderline suicidal. She is also not neurotypical, to put it delicately, and isn't able to live fully independently. She needs help, and not the type she can get on message boards. And I highly doubt her mom or her therapist know to check these boards to see what her mental state is. Her posts are getting more erratic and hard to understand, and it doesn't seem that the message that she needs to get more intensive professional help is sinking in. So if it could help save her life, then yes, I hope someone figures out how to reach someone to help her.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Maybe because someone suggested that she be stalked and her place of employment informed about what she posted??? There are boards in place for that kind of nonsense, I didn't realize the Dis was one of them

Here's the thing. I wouldn't do what was suggested but I can understand the idea.
The Op posts all kinds of stuff here, much of which is incoherent. She posts complaining about her job often. Now she is saying she has suicidal thoughts and hallucinates. It's frightening to think she works with young children.
She needs to get help and get well.