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I still have three daycare kids and they ALL come here to catch up on sleep. Between eating and sleeping, they really dont play or get involved in very much activities although I try. I have a 19 month old, a 20 month old and a 2.5 year old (not siblings). They get here at different times but all go down for a nap as soon as they get dropped off, 2 or 3 hour nap. Then they get up, eat and play for 1 to 2 hours. If I get any of them to the 2 hour mark, that is with me soothing and entertaining a bit to get them to stretch out the time when they are obviously tired or cranky. Then they nap again from 2 to 3 hours. THEN FINALLY, they get up to play, go outside, do our learning time, etc. None of these kids have the energy or tolerance to do anything before noon for sure, maybe not till closer to 3! I feel bad that my daycare has become a place for kids to catch up on naps but I dont know that there is anything else I can do about it. Any opinions on the following?
The mom of the 2.5 year old knows that this kid is VERY low energy, has a poor diet (pop tarts, lunchables, high sugar kids juice) and says she doesnt care how much kid sleeps here, just do whatever I have to do to make it through the day (her words, not mine). I think the majority of the issues with this child are from sugar highs and lows. Kid will go from super hyper/jumping/running around to droopy/crying/sensitive within 10 minutes.
The parents of the 20 month old do not nap their kid well at home at all. Maybe 30 minutes to one hour tops and that is whenever she wants to lay down, not at a regular time. They also run her all over town and stay up late. I have tried to talk to them but they do not believe that a one year old needs more sleep or that there is anything wrong with their kid (who regularly has huge bags under her eyes and falls over from tired-clumsiness). So, no change there....they are moving and have put their child in a larger home daycare/preschool where she will be expected to participate without crying and so I dont see that working out for too long.
The parents of the 19 month old actually give her an excellent diet (no junk food ever, no juice, etc) and she is on a regular schedule at home. I know she doesnt nap as well at home as she does here but they do try to stick to the schedule. I just cant seem to get this one to be happy anywhere but outside. I am hoping she grows out of the crankies but she does not play well with others. As long as everyone ignores her and lets her do her own thing, she is fine to just be-bop around the room and keep herself busy. Sometimes she is put down for a nap not because she will actually lay down and sleep but because she does not want to do any other option without crying. She doesnt always sleep but she seems to need chill-out time alone....any opinions on that?
I am filling two spots soon and would love to get my kids to where we can actually do more with them! My own children think that daycare starts after nap time because the DC kids sleep a good part of the morning and dont really get going till the afternoon. One of the reasons why I have a daycare is to help socialize my own kids.....my kids love my DC kids but dont get the chance to even play with them a whole lot. Its a very weird situation!
The mom of the 2.5 year old knows that this kid is VERY low energy, has a poor diet (pop tarts, lunchables, high sugar kids juice) and says she doesnt care how much kid sleeps here, just do whatever I have to do to make it through the day (her words, not mine). I think the majority of the issues with this child are from sugar highs and lows. Kid will go from super hyper/jumping/running around to droopy/crying/sensitive within 10 minutes.
The parents of the 20 month old do not nap their kid well at home at all. Maybe 30 minutes to one hour tops and that is whenever she wants to lay down, not at a regular time. They also run her all over town and stay up late. I have tried to talk to them but they do not believe that a one year old needs more sleep or that there is anything wrong with their kid (who regularly has huge bags under her eyes and falls over from tired-clumsiness). So, no change there....they are moving and have put their child in a larger home daycare/preschool where she will be expected to participate without crying and so I dont see that working out for too long.
The parents of the 19 month old actually give her an excellent diet (no junk food ever, no juice, etc) and she is on a regular schedule at home. I know she doesnt nap as well at home as she does here but they do try to stick to the schedule. I just cant seem to get this one to be happy anywhere but outside. I am hoping she grows out of the crankies but she does not play well with others. As long as everyone ignores her and lets her do her own thing, she is fine to just be-bop around the room and keep herself busy. Sometimes she is put down for a nap not because she will actually lay down and sleep but because she does not want to do any other option without crying. She doesnt always sleep but she seems to need chill-out time alone....any opinions on that?
I am filling two spots soon and would love to get my kids to where we can actually do more with them! My own children think that daycare starts after nap time because the DC kids sleep a good part of the morning and dont really get going till the afternoon. One of the reasons why I have a daycare is to help socialize my own kids.....my kids love my DC kids but dont get the chance to even play with them a whole lot. Its a very weird situation!