What Do You Chat About With Parents?

[Ariana]

At pick up and drop off what do you talk about? How much do you talk? Do you stand by the door until they're gone?

I usually chat about their child and my own child and how the day went. I'll stand by the door while they get their child ready and then close the door as they leave. Sometimes I feel awkward like the parents don't really want to talk to me or sometimes I have very little to say if nothing of note has happened especially because I send home log books every day!! I would love to just say "bye" and then carry on with my own kid. Sometimes it takes the parents 10min to leave!!

What do you do?

[Greenplasticwateringcans]

I have a set of DCP's that deal with high stress situations and death on a daily basis. I say hello at pick up and fill them in on their children's day. They are absolutely lovely people and I have no idea how they can leave their work at work...it never shows on their faces. It's usually a 1-2min pick up.

Another DCP can chat about anything for a looooong time if I let him. He often works alone and is in desperate need of a chat when he gets here. Sometimes it's annoying but for the most part I like to chat with him too! He can be here up to 10 mins.


Others have been in between with a couple minutes of daily chatter about their day, the kids, weather... They can take 5 mins to leave.

[Greenplasticwateringcans]

To add, I always stay in the entrance way until they have left and I close the door and wave goodbye.

[Springdaze]

I talk about the kids and "tell mommy what we did today" I also might mention something that I know will interest them outside of their kid if I have something to say. One dad I have will hang for 10 min, but he's nice. Once he came in while my daughter was playing tennis on the Wii and he tried to grab the remote from her so he could play, but she had the strap on, so he almost pulled her hand off!!!! he also took time out to dance to Who Let the Dogs Out on the Wii!

I wont turn off the light in my school until the last person pulls out of the driveway cuz I think that's rude. I do however hate it when they pull in the driveway and sit there for a time before they come in to get their child!

[Springdaze]

Oh, one thing i wonder about it whether I should help the parents get the kids in coats and gather their stuff. I feel rude if I dont but the kids I have are at least 3 and should be able to do it themselves. no?

[CheekyChick]

I have no time limit on how long a parent can stay and chat. I had one parent who would arrive at 4:00 p.m. and leave at 5:30 p.m. We became the best of friends and she was my right-hand man (or woman) at our parties.

My "chatty" parents sit down and play with their child and the other children while we chat about our day (or their day) and they will stay 15 to 20 minutes.

The ones who like to "grab and run" get their parent letter and they're out the door.

Every way works fine for me.

[SunshineMama]

I do a quick wrap up of the day's events while they are putting their coats on the kids, and wish them a good night. I have mastered the art of the 120 second pick up!

A smile and a "Have a good night" goes a long way! I always wave bye to the kids and tell them "see you tomorrow."

[Ariana]

Ok it seems like all of you do what I do too! I like chatting with the parents for sure but sometimes there are awkward silences too!!

[wdmmom]

My arrivals and departures are less than 2 minutes. Enough time to get them in the door, get the child's coat off, a hug/kiss/bye and they're out the door.

They are told at the interview that I do not chat or have conferences at the door. I like to keep things low key and confidential so I will not speak of Johnny while Suzie's parents are here to pick up at the same time.

No news is good news.

[Mom&Provider]

I'm usually the person to get the childs gear on and we usually talk about their childs day, maybe the weather and that's about it. Sometimes after a weekend someone will tell me what they did, but thats about it.

I usually wave as they head down my front steps, then close the door.

[Cat Herder]

My arrivals and departures are less than 2 minutes. Enough time to get them in the door, get the child's coat off, a hug/kiss/bye and they're out the door.

They are told at the interview that I do not chat or have conferences at the door. I like to keep things low key and confidential so I will not speak of Johnny while Suzie's parents are here to pick up at the same time.

No news is good news.

I do the same, but I also FB, text and email with parents while they are at work about anything I know they would love to share. I send pics and videos to them fairly often. It is the fun part.

That said, there are those that are stone cold, stiff lipped and keep it very professional. I follow their lead since I am naturally more like a wacky, proud Aunt than a provider.

Business is business.... I keep that strict. I ENJOY the physical care and play aspect of my job.

[Jewels]

Most of my parents chat for a little bit, we chat a little about the kids, but alot about other stuff to, What we did over the weekends etc, books, I've read all the hunger games books, and have 4 other parents that are reading them also, so we will talk of books, lately we have been talking about skiing, I think we actually usually talk more about unrelated daycare stuff than related, even down to whats for dinner tonight. I have one family I try to have pretty ready to go, I know their mom likes to grab and go, shes very nice, but heck she wants to get home, I totally understand that. I don't always stand right in the door, Some parents take their shoes off and come in to grab everything, and get the kids ready, so with these parents I will usually hang out in the living room, the ones that stay by the door, then I stay by the door.

[Sunchimes]

I'm a talker and like my parents. One mom and dad work where I used to work. There is a LOT of ugly stuff happening there now and they bring me up to date on the latest news before it hits the evening news. Both are really nice kids and I enjoy the visit. When grandma picks up, we also visit for awhile.

Another one sits in the floor and plays for 15 or 20 minutes. She also gets here 15 minutes early. She works about 2 minutes away and if she gets there first, she has to sit in her car in the dark and it sort of scares her. So, she hangs out here and leaves 2 minutes before work. I don't mind, I don't like the idea of her sitting out there either. I don't have kids to get up or anything. I'd just as soon visit with her as sit in front of the computer that last 15 minutes.

Third parent doesn't stay long. We talk about her work, her schedule, the baby, etc, but she's rarely here over 5 minutes. She's really shy, not much of a talker. And that's fine too.

[nannyde]

My parents are so nice and smart.. I love having a little visit every day. I work for them for five plus years so some days it's just a few minutes on each end but a few times a month we will get into a really good convo.

They are very sensitive to not take too much time but also be available if I need them to figure something out. A lot of them have the same interests as I do so alot of times we talk about stuff other than their kids.

It doesn't feel awkward talking to them........ that's the way it should be. Just do what feels natural.

One thing I do every day is tell them "thank you". I also let them know I dig their kid. That's what they REALLY want. They want to know you are invested in their kid, that you all have fun together, that you KNOW their kid inside out, that you appreciate how awesome they are as parents, and that you appreciate every day you get the chance to care for their family.

[Daycare Diva]

Nan please write a book. I would buy it! Even if it's an e-book. ( i hate e-books) You have a lot of experience to share.