Jealous of colleague

I run a daycare and have done so for 7 years. I have a great relationship with the kids and parents. However, I have a week off now and as pathetic as it sounds, I am worried the kids will prefer my colleague who is covering me. I worry the parents will as well. Although she doesn't have my experience and qualifications, she is more confident then me. I worry she will undo all my good work and the parents will wish she run it instead of me. Is it possible for this to happen and how do I help manage these emotions and feelings of jealousy?

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said confidence. have more confidence in your self and the good work you have done. start focusing on your strengths. when the feelings take over, start listing off the good things you have done over the years. this will bolster your self esteem and make you feel more confident that the things you have done will be missed in your absence. take care and enjoy your week off.

Hi Jenni, it would be good if you could try to build up your confidence, but I'm saying that as much for you.
Because in terms of your colleague.........well confidence isn't going to have anywhere near as big an impact on others as you're maybe thinking. She can be as confident as she feels like but there are a lot of other factors which are going to influence people just as much. And you clearly have plenty of those if as you've said now (and before!!) the children really like you and you've got a good relationship with the parents/caretakers. Of course it's probably going to be impossible for anyone to get on with every parent/caretaker but............
And regardless of confidence they like you/who you are e.g. you're caring, sensitive, listen to people, relate well to the children, want the best for the children when you're with them............right??!!
And you know what, plenty of people are going to like/prefer people a bit more "quietly spoken" if you are. Sometimes its easier to speak with people like that.
And as for your colleague's confidence, let it work for you. You clearly both have your own strengths, so maybe think about different things you'd like to do with/for the children and bring those strengths together. Ask her to be helping with some things, so she'll be bringing her confidence, you'll be bringing your own special qualities and experience (which are/is going to be so important). Maybe treat her more as a help in what you want to be doing as opposed to a threat. Afterall you have a lot more than confidence!!!
Although that's not to say I'm letting you off the hook in building some confidence
You do have a lot to be confident about.

Alison

You just have common anxiety and maybe some guilt about having time off. Forget the anxiety driven "What If" worries and enjoy the vacation.

The kids are not going to forget you in a week! I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you get back from your vacation and all the little kiddos are excited to see you and ask where you've been

Jealousy isn't worth the energy it burns. Think of yourself as vital to the war effort. Return the triumphant general.

DO you think they will?

Yes! They are kids and they like you! You must know them really well if you have been there for seven years. You did say that the kids and parents like you, too.

How long do they stay in your care? Like do you just have a certain age range or do you work with kids from 0-5?

The timings depend on how long the parents want to leave them and the age range is 2-5 years.

Maybe 2 is too young to ask where you were

Jenni855 - someone else mentioned that you could benefit from additional emotional support. Therapist or support group - it's good that you are here as well! In your other posts I really see you struggle with your self image. I struggled with that as well for many years. I am much much much better... but I needed help to get there.

It takes time to think of yourself in a different light. I am sure you are very talented in many ways - learning how to focus on that and less on what "you think" others or thinking of you - such a waste of time and all the good things about you. Good luck!