Firstly I just want to say that I love the career I’ve chosen and like the majority of people I work with but I’ve had enough with feeing like Im nothing there. For context I’m in ECE , I’m over worked under paid and really REALLY feeling unappreciated. I go to work everyday having to take two buses to get there , sometimes staying way past my home time and get home exhausted to the point I fall asleep almost straight away. My daily life at work is crying babies (some younger than 5months) getting piled on me at 7:30 am, all whilst also expecting to answer the room calls if we have them, talking to parents at drop offs and settling the majority of children that come in. From then on I feel like I don’t sit down as I’m either putting a child to sleep or changing nappies. Getting a hit of fresh air seems like luxury because I never get to step foot outside. I want to do something creative with the kids but alas I can’t because I’m probably in the sleep room patting a crying baby yo sleep. The only time I have off my feet is when I sit down and give bottles.
Lately one of my coworkers has been complaining about her pay of 23p/h. She has only been working at the company for around 6 months and thinks she deserves a pay rise. Meanwhile I get 22p/h – the minimum wage here. I’ve been at the company for three years going on 4. I just found this out that im one of the less paid at my work. I don’t feel valued at all. My other coworker was talking about how this co worker does this and that and “even draws all the pictures for the kids her self by hand, she deserves a payrise” when I bought up that I literally go and spend my own money on supplies for crafts and even take work home so it’s ready for the 27 kids to decorate ie:fathers/mothers/Christmas cards plus other room wall displays ( as I said I don’t get time to do activities because I’m either in the sleep room or changing nappies) which means I hot glue, cut out shapes etc etc that can take up to midnight, and that, don’t I deserve a payrise? she went silent and walked out of the room.
That’s just one example.
I just feel so unworthy, and no matter what I do it isn’t enough to be respected or valued. I don’t want to leave but what can I do?