I am ONLY saying this because I am getting a critical vibe from a few of you about homeschooling. I'm not super religious and was raised pretty much without religion. My parents didn't believe in conspiracies, act overprotective or were ever afraid to let us leave home. Quite the contrary.

I am one of four, and we were all homeschooled by my mother (who had a PhD in Education) unless we chose otherwise, which my sister did. I went to public school and was home schooled at different times in my life. The education I received at home was at least 90% better than the pathetic crud shoved down my throat in public schools. I was never socially isolated and I am not currently socially awkward. What I am is a very well-rounded, happy person. I'm getting my PhD, I'm fluent in three languages but speak 5, I had two BA degrees by the age of 19 and I have traveled in six continents before turning 18. In public school, I met teachers who made comments like 'There was a War in Ireland? When?' when I talked about Northern Irish politics and teachers who couldn't find Sri Lanka on a map. Most teachers at my schools should NOT have been teaching giving their pathetic breadth of knowledge. In America teachers are paid poorly. There is little motivation to be a great teacher. Therefore, you get burnt-out, underpaid people who don't give a damn. I will homeschool my kids. If you want to talk about homeschooling, and why people do it, PM me. Otherwise, assume it's not your family, so it's not your business.

I think my mother got her energy from the fact that she wanted so badly to be a mother, and when she had all four of us brats, she felt compelled to do her best for us. She also was a total 'kid person' and loved being around kids. My brothers and my sister are all three years apart, my sister and I are only 16 months apart. I'm sure the spacing with the older kids helped. We never had a nanny or babysitter. If my mom was tired, we never knew it. Perhaps that was just her personality or energetic nature. That said, when I babysit my baby nephew, I am BEAT in less than an hour so perhaps that energy is not genetic. I feel absolutely drained around little kids. I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I think kids are just exhausting, especially that many of them. Just be sure you are well rested and well fed.

I don't think your employer should be relying on you to do anything other than maybe assist the kids with homework. You shouldn't have to teach. Best of luck!

If you were taking care of old people all day you would feel just as tired. Some jobs are just more exhausting than others. Don't let it color how you are going to feel about your own parenting experience. You will undoubtedly do things differently than this mother. Your own children are a joy more than they are a job.

Is there any way to get everyone on the same naptime schedule so at least you get a break? I would definitely put them in the same room unless they are disrupting each other. I would enlist the older kids to help with the chores. Watching just one baby is a total workout, I can't imagine handling all these children in an organized manner. That is a lot of pressure on you. Yes, it is normal to get burned out and exhausted.

My grandma had 5 kids but you know very well they were out in the street playing kick the can with the neighbor kids all day and there wasn't any expectation of warm lunches, multiplication and creative writing.

I know the pay is good but if you are starting to get burned out maybe it is time to move on? When I was babysitting children I knew it was time to leave when I started getting cranky and just not caring anymore. You shouldn't have to dread going to work everyday. Hopefully you haven't reached that point.

YES! I used to have a babysitting job watching three kids under ten and they were also homeschooled. The oldest child helped me corral the younger ones and make sure they stayed focused, but after five hours it was still exhausting. So kudos to any parents who can handle that daily...I want a lot of children (still undecided on homeschooling or not) but I'm definitely not ready yet, that's for sure.

Just found out she is having her 6th child. I have job security for another 10 years!

Yeah!! Another one for the op to look after!!

Good luck,

Queenie xx