Struggling with emotions today

[Linda/NE]

I'm not sure how to feel today. While I should be happy I'm just not feeling it.

First of all, I had the interview for the preschool job last night and it's mine if I want it. :) It will only be 2 days a week, but it won't be the days that my dd will be in Kindergarten so I'll need daycare for 2-3 kids. :( The job itself sounds like so much fun!! I could probably fill in the other days with subbing.

Second, we received some inheritance money and dh wants me to look into opening my own preschool.:) The inheritance isn't nearly enough for the whole thing but it's a good start. I don't think I have time to get anything going for the fall though. That sounds very exciting, but I'm terribly scared and nervous about the whole idea too. :(

Third, I just signed up to do a flea market with my Avon stuff and my District Manager said she'd come to help.
I'm excited about doing it!!:) While I was emailing my 'boss' about the details, the rep that I've been helping out IM-ed me. She wanted to know when I was bringing her orders over to her. She said that she will see the customers she needs tomorrow and she works today and has to get ready for their picnic tomorrow and can't come to get it. I can understand that , but she expects me to rearrange MY holiday plans to accomodate her! Now she's talking about quitting it all together. (I think I made her mad when I said I didn't realize I would have to bring the orders to her all the time.) :( I think what bothers me the most is her assumption that I would just bring them to her. :{

So here I sit 1/2 feeling guilty and am ready to type an apology email to her and make plans to bring her orders to her first thing tomorrow morning. :( The other 1/2 of me says let it sit and rot until she decides to come and get it. :{ I will probably end up mailing the order to the customer that she needs to get it to and mailing hers to her as well so I get paid for it so I can pay the bill on it.

Am I a whimp or what??

Thanks for listening!! :)

[RCT]

I would feel the same way about the assumtion that YOU would always be the one traveling.....that would but some straw in my hat too.....mailing the order is fine, gee where I live, if I want Avon....it comes to me via the post office too.....stay strong, and the opening of your own pre school sounds fantastic.....sometimes days can be just slumpy.....:biggrin:

[Amy2]

Yes, you are a wimp. KIDDING!! Of course you're not. Some days can just be overwhelming I think. I also think that change is very intimidating, even if it is good change. We get used to the status quo, and any movement is scarey. But once we do get moving, the energy begins to flow, and whatever troubling emotions we are having begin to move and things become clearer. For me, when I feel this way, I'll often just have a good cry and then I feel so much better! Good luck!

Amy

[Fern]

So much happening all at once can be so overwhelming, I would feel so unsettled as well. As for the Avon I think the other lady is expecting to much. Now the preschool stuff sounds exciting, is there the need in your area for another preschool? I started my preschool 7 years ago and I think it was the best think I ever did!! Good luck

[AnnW]

Why couldn't you get anything going for fall?
I think that lady is taking great advantage of you and you shouldn't feel guilty!

[Amy]

You have had a lot going on lately and its no wonder you haven't had a chance to catch your breath. Only do things that feel right for now and think about the other ideas a bit more. It will work itself out :)

[KarlaB]

Like others have said, you have had a lot going on lately, so I think your emotions are justified. The preschool job sounds great. And, as far as starting your own - go for it! Sounds exciting!!!! :) I'd stand your ground with the other Avon lady. If you don't, she'll always expect you to give in and with your busy schedule it'll probably just make you more frustrated with her. Don't feel guilty!! We all go thru times like these...hang in there!! :)

[Leigh]

Everyone else has pretty much said it. Hang in there. You are not a wimp. I hope things get better soon, and keep venting here if you need to. We are here for you.

[netmechwife]

You haven't even been paid by her yet! Grrr........ Make sure you make her pay the shipping for both orders if you mail them..... I understand how you feel. I am not very good at being assertive either. I never want to offend people or inconvenience them. But I am realizing now that there is a difference between being compassionate and letting people manipulate. One question I have is if she is one of your downline or just another consultant? Does avon deliver downlines orders to uplines? I think she does need to understand that you have a busy life too. Encourage her that you think she is capable (if you do) of being a great consultant (she seems to be doubting that possibly if she is thinking of quitting). I would also tell her that you are sorry but you are unable to deliver her orders bc your schedule is very busy with the holidays and other responsibilities. I would also try to let her know that you cannot deliver her orders to her every time because of your new job and other things you are busy with, but that you are willing to work with her. She needs to give a little too and be willing to take responsibility for her business. Part of being a home business owner for her is needing to travel to pick up her customers orders. I hope you get things settled with her.

I am so excited to hear about your new job! That is so neat! I hope it all goes well for you and I will pray for you and thinking of you. I am glad you are looking forward to the flea market booth. Hope it goes really well. :snickers: Heres some chocolate to make you feel better... ;)

[Linda/NE]

You are just the greatest!!

Thanks so much for your help!! I'm feeling much better and think I have things worked out a little better now.

I think my neighbor may be interested in watching the kids for me, which is a relief to know the person caring for them.

Ann, you asked why I couldn't get anything going for the fall--I first need to find a place to use. It would most likely involve some sort of work to bring it up to code for inspection. Then, I would have to buy the equipment and supplies (table, chairs, swing set,etc), advertise and sign up students and hire help. I'm afraid I couldn't get it all pulled off and wouldn't be fully prepared. I'd rather work all year at it and start off on a good foot.




Originally posted by Fern
Now the preschool stuff sounds exciting, is there the need in your area for another preschool? I started my preschool 7 years ago and I think it was the best think I ever did!! Good luck

Yes, I think there is a need. The year before last one preschool closed down and so all we have is the one I will be working at and the Head Start. I've heard some parents concerned that the one I'm working at doesn't work on preparation for kindergarten. It is more socially based. Fern, I would love to talk to you more about how you got started. Where did you start? I'd greatly appreciate if you'd be able to email me about how you got started. My email is mz5@theideabox.com

netmechwife, (sorry I can't recall your first name--must have feathers in my brain! LOL) This rep isn't actually my downline. She was my customer and took over the area where we used to live. It's a small town/village about 1/2 hr. from here. I approached her about becoming a rep and I received a gift for recruiting her. I'd have to be a leadership rep to benefit from her sales. She's went back to work and school this past year and asked me to place her orders for her. Our original understanding was that we would trade off traveling to each other to get the orders to her. Gradually she kept asking me to do more. My good nature took over and agreed to it. It almost seems like she tries to lay the guilt trip on me when I won't give in.

Anyway, I typed on the bottom on the of her invoice some suggestions of how her/I/we could serve these customers. I printed it off and mailed it with her order. I also mentioned the situation to my District Manager, so she may have some additional suggestions as well.

Thanks for the chocolate--just what I needed--and my favorite kind too!!

Again you all are the absolute greatest!!! I apologize for not mentioning each one of you personally. I do so appreciate your responses!!!!!! :snickers: for EVERYONE!!!

Thanks again!!

[JAK]

I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better Linda! You know we all have those days where life is just overwhelming! I know when my dh was gone last year and it was just me and the kids I had a lot of days like that! At least you have a place to feel free to vent and it time life and things calm down a bit. In the end things always seem to work out though! :D

[netmechwife]

I'm glad you are feeling better Linda.
One of the things about having downline and supporting them (delivery, training, time, etc.) is that the money you make from their sales helps offset your costs to support them. I would find it hard to support another consultant if she were not my downline (hard enough supporting one who is.) Could you maybe talk with her upline and let her know that this consultant needs encouragement and support (including physical support as listed above). That is the job of an upline.
I had one downline with Creative Memories who was out of state. But it was my responsibility to support her. I was responsible for training, encouraging and if need be helping her get products, etc. that she needs.
Hope everything goes well for you...:)

p.s. I love your idea of putting suggestions on her invoice. Good idea... Also may make her consider things more without the possibility of her misreading you...

[Leigh]

I am so glad that things are looking up for you. I know it is so hard and everything looks gloomy when you have days like those. I hope things continue to go well, and if you need to vent more, we are here.