What Do You Chat About With Parents?

[littlemissmuffet]

I send frequent daily emails about anything cute that happened or any serious behavioral issues, or just to keep in touch with parents - pictures, what's for lunch, etc.

My pick-ups start at 4:00pm and go through to 5:00pm - I chat with my parents at the door about everything and anything (each parents usually stays about 10 minutes) while they dress their children for home time (I only help with getting them ready if the kids are messing around and not listening).

It's sometimes me that chats a little too much, ... there's never an awkward silence - and nobody ever "overstays their welcome"... I have really great, personable parents though. Oddly enough, the majority of p/u and d/o conversations are directly related to the kids or daycare. ::

[WImom]

I have some parents I chat alot with and some that I don't. It also depends on who is still here. I tend to keep it very short if it's the last child here since I just want to turn out the lights and start my time with my own family.

[Ariana]

I also send pictures but rarely get a response! The first few times I sent pics they gushed over them now they don't even bother to reply. What's up with that!!

I also talk about anything and everything under the sun!! Maybe I'm just a chatty Cathy and they're more introverted

[PitterPatter]

Honestly for the past year I have been trying to avoid the chats because my past clients don't know when to leave and don't know what is appropriate to chat about. I have chatted with parents about the kids week, what we did for crafts theme etc. I give them a verbal update of any near future changes or just ask them how their day was.

I do have a new DCM that started in December that is very nice and respectful of my time so we do chat about 10-20 mins and it's a welcome chat about dif things. BUT DCM that has been with me for over a year now I can't let her start because she will literally sit here for an hour if I let her. All she wants to do is complain about her life, her friends who did her wrong or her favorite, how the DHHS owes her and better start doing right by her etc. UGH You get the idea I'm getting irritated just thinking about her!

I think it's good to have communication with parents and know some beyond the basics. It helps for a better understanding too but I am just leary of that boundary.

[Unregistered]

I try to NOT chat too much other than a few pleasantries or what their child did today because , although most parents are great about getting on their way, I have had the ones who would never leave if I let them start ...LOL! I made that mistake a couple of years ago and the dcd creeped me out SO much with all his non-child related questions and comments , that I finally got rid of them ...I couldn't take it one more second and my poor husband was having to run interference to keep me sane (or the semblance of sane that I am )