Venting Thread

[daycarediva]

The dry winter air. We have been going back and forth about a whole house humidifer since they are supposedly way better than they used to be and I don't have the time to clean and descale portable units. Haven't done anything yet. Today all my DCK's hair is standing straight up and my nose is bloody.

I finally put a huge pot of water in the stove and one in a gated area by the fireplace. Hoping it helps a bit.

Boil some on the stove for a bit!

We have humidifiers on the whole house and then because of the finished basement, we have 4 dehumidifiers downstairs. They're a pain in the butt!

[Play Care]

The dry winter air. We have been going back and forth about a whole house humidifer since they are supposedly way better than they used to be and I don't have the time to clean and descale portable units. Haven't done anything yet. Today all my DCK's hair is standing straight up and my nose is bloody.

I finally put a huge pot of water in the stove and one in a gated area by the fireplace. Hoping it helps a bit.

[rhondawarren]

This is true ...
She brought a tablet one day and left it all day and told me ... you be sure you take good care of this. I was like ummm no I am not responsible for you leaving a tablet with an almost three year old.

[TheGoodLife]

I had to have a talk with her about his behavior. Pushing and shoving another little boy. So the VERY next morning she brings a toy in a box that had not even been opened yet. He fought all day because this was his toy his mommy brought for him that santa gave him. So I thought about putting it up then I thought no ... I am MAKING him sit there and share for the entire 11 hours I have him then maybe the next time he will remember I either need to share or leave it at home

Take out the "unless"... it'll cause so much less stress and no battles "No outside toys" and "no outside food". I have those same policies- pretty standard, not being overly picky IMO. Takes the "well, my darling little poopsie will share so well, so I brought it"

[rhondawarren]

I had to have a talk with her about his behavior. Pushing and shoving another little boy. So the VERY next morning she brings a toy in a box that had not even been opened yet. He fought all day because this was his toy his mommy brought for him that santa gave him. So I thought about putting it up then I thought no ... I am MAKING him sit there and share for the entire 11 hours I have him then maybe the next time he will remember I either need to share or leave it at home

I had the same issue with a mom who let her twins bring a "special" toy every time they came and it was the first fight of the day between the kids, so I reminded her that I don't like toys to be brought, because we have plenty of toys here, and thought that would be the end of it. Guess who shows up with toys the very next day? I have a shoebox now for outside toys. When they come with a toy, I say "let's put in the toy garage for the end of the day!" The toy goes in the box and if they remember, they take it back before they leave. Has worked well so far, and let me tell you, the first time little dck forgets that special stuffed animal in the box and won't go to bed that night without, parents seem to figure out that leaving it in the car is a much safer idea!

[rhondawarren]

Parent thinks she's the boss

Unfortunately one of the parents I have now thinks that her son should have special rules, that I should change my schedule for my entire daycare to fit all of her needs and seeing that I started this as MY business and built a day care onto my house to have MY own business I REFUSE to let anyone try to be my boss.

Anyways ... I wrote up some highlights from my contract that needed to be touched on and had all of the parents sign it for going into the New Year. Her son likes to bring things and NOT share. So one of the things on the list was no outside toys unless you would like to share. So when he first started coming he was bringing a stuffed tiger which didnt cause must issue (its the other toys he brings that does) and then she stopped bringing it. But after reading my letter she decided to let him bring it this morning then says I read in the letter that he cannot bring outside toys does this mean he cannot bring his blankie and his tiger and then rolls her eyes. I said no as you read in the letter it says no outside toys UNLESS your child wishes to share. Which ... your son does not like to share toys when he brings them from home. She just rolled her eyes. Ask me if I care ....

I have my reasonable rules set for a reason ... so that I can spend my time having fun and caring with the kids. I refuse to spend my entire day breaking up fights over toys that should not be brought in the first place.

She is also the mom that even though I provide breakfast she brings a bowl of food for him everyday in front of the other kids. I put a stop to that as well. Grrrrrrr

[Play Care]

Dear DCM,

You seriously thought I would allow your child in tomorrow when she vomited at 2:45 in the afternoon? All over my brand new carpet, I might add.
Really? Aside from the fact it's in my contract, a 24 hour quarantine is just plain, old fashioned common sense.
See you Wednesday!

[BumbleBee]

So she's planning to just drop off Monday with the hours she "informed" you she'd be using, 4 more than what's in her contract? I hope you contact her soon so you're not getting an early drop off, and a late pick up that day! What a bummer to deal with on your holiday break

I contacted her and let her know the deal. She's on contracted hours, I can add the hour earlier but not the hours later. When they come available I will let her know. Also gave her the new rate with the extra hour added. She's not happy but I really don't care at this point.

[TheGoodLife]

I would if those hours were available right now but they aren't. . Joke's on her I guess. When those hours become available I'll give her the option of taking them but for now it's not an option. Financially the extra hours would bring in less than a school ager and if she pulls all together I have part timers who are chomping at the bit to go full time so it all works out (for me at least)

So she's planning to just drop off Monday with the hours she "informed" you she'd be using, 4 more than what's in her contract? I hope you contact her soon so you're not getting an early drop off, and a late pick up that day! What a bummer to deal with on your holiday break

[BumbleBee]

If you decide to keep her I would definitely charge a higher rate for those extra hours!

I would if those hours were available right now but they aren't. . Joke's on her I guess. When those hours become available I'll give her the option of taking them but for now it's not an option. Financially the extra hours would bring in less than a school ager and if she pulls all together I have part timers who are chomping at the bit to go full time so it all works out (for me at least)

[jgcp]

Its been a nice quiet couple of weeks with dck here and there ( not complaining cause the break was nice even without pay) Then dcm come in this morning with dcg no snow shoes just slip on flats, torn up play dress and a robe for a coat! REALLY its 9 degrees out and we have 8in of snow out there! then she started telling me how everyone in there house has a cough.... SUPER bring her on in and she wonders why they are all sick... AND IT STARTS AGAIN

[NeedaVaca]

If you decide to keep her I would definitely charge a higher rate for those extra hours!

[BumbleBee]

Dcm called today-I didn't answer because I'm on vacation (well I'm closed and reopening on the 5th, I didn't actually go anywhere) and I just listened to the voicemail she left.

"Hey just wanted to let you know I got a new job and I start this Friday so I'll be bringing dck around 8:30. See you then!"

WTF???? I'm closed, end of story. I called her because I don't want to deal with this on Friday. Told her I'm closed and will reopen on the 5th as scheduled. Also told her that the closing schedule was handed out in September and was put in both the November and December newsletters. She hemmed and hawed about what she was going to do. I told her to have a nice New Year's Eve and hung up.

A few minutes ago same dcm texted me to 'let me know' that dck would now be here 8:30-5:30 M-F. She's currently on contracted hours 9:30-2:30 M-F. Grrrrrrrr. I haven't decided what to say yet or when to say it but I'm fuming. Happy flippin New Year. She might be starting her new year with a new provider with the way she's going.

[Silly Songs]

When we have low numbers in our center , teachers are moved around to different rooms . I was with the one year olds today and the last one was picked up at 6:15 😩 Mommy said she was shopping ! Poor kid was hungry and tired . I think some other classes had children until after 6:30 tonight !