Do You Think I Did Something Wrong...My Husband Thinks So

[Blackcat31]

Cheer~

(((((Hugs))))) what a mess! I feel for you!

Maybe let the kid eat what they send but tell the parents if she is too sugared up to take a proper nap they will have to come and get her.......unless, they would rather just send her with good wholesome nutritious foods that promote good sleeping habits and healthy energy levels to play and have fun.

I agree that you might be on to something with them simply trying to find the loopholes. Maybe you could also suggest to them that if they don't want to send lunches, they could pay you a lunch fee of $25-$50 per week to cover her lunch costs.

Would they take you up on that as it sounds like their monetary situation is not the issue and it is more just laziness than anything.

[Unregistered]

Can I chime in as "just" a mom? I would never hear the end of it from my two-yr-old if her day are friends were allowed to eat cake in their lunches every day. Believe me, I would hear the jealous rages! . I really appreciate that our daycare provider specifies healthy lunches, within reason. (But I did tease them one time for providing eggo waffles as a snack one time!)

From my perspective, you folks have to create a culture where the kids see each others' lunches. Obviously there will be envy sometimes but I would have a serious parenting issue if my dd saw other kids with little Debbie's and juice boxes. Yuck.

[My3cents]

I upped my price about 18 months ago to start offering snacks because of similar issues. Parents providing absolute junk for kids as young as 9 months. Worse than what I have already described. Anyway, I posted another thread about actually having to reduce my current full time rate just this week in order to compete with the local daycare chaos here. Feel free to read and contribute ideas!

All that to say that upping my current rate will result in losing families. I know this 100% for sure. I am already at the high end (I just lowered to $130 a week, but many many new daycares are charging $90 to $125 a week). This is the best I can do for now.

Put it back on the parent. Give them the list of do's and don't's and then give them the choice of sending the proper lunch that you require or you will serve lunch for the extra price of........ however much you think that would be to cover your cost. I still recommend getting on the food program as soon as you can.

Its hard to go through the process of finding a new daycare, and most parents don't want to be shuffling their child around. Keep your prices fair and for the most part don't worry about what other providers are charging. If your good at what you do parents will stay- If you already provide milk, serving a breakfast, lunch and snack should not be that much more then what you already purchase for yourself. Depending upon if you have huge eaters or not. You are already buying for the fix it meals that the parents mess up on.

Best-

[My3cents]

just because the parents have good jobs does not mean that they spend their money right. I have friends that are doctors that cant afford to even go to the movies or simple things because they are so in over their heads in debt. In fact they happen to be one of the families that was buying the junk juice at the soccer games.

They just don't always have their priorities straight....

The junk juice might be a "treat" for their kid too. Not something they always do.

I agree not a good idea to compare how people spend their money because priorities are not the same for everyone, and we often don't know what the other persons issues are in the $ area. I don't care to know. Just pay me- that is all I want- and on time

[cheerfuldom]

The junk juice might be a "treat" for their kid too. Not something they always do.

I agree not a good idea to compare how people spend their money because priorities are not the same for everyone, and we often don't know what the other persons issues are in the $ area. I don't care to know. Just pay me- that is all I want- and on time

She has had "junk" juice from her parents every day she has been here, has never been sent with water or milk, and is also sent with numerous other snack items. I understand that you are trying to help and I do appreciate people taking the time to post.

In this case, I am soooo over this thread. I feel that a lot of excuses are being made for the parent and that what I am expecting is not unreasonable, especially considering that they agreed and signed the contract AND we discussed lunch in length several times.

Thank you all for your help but I consider this thread over. Its been enlightening but has not changed what I will be doing tomorrow, when she is here and should more junk lunches be sent in the future.

I will be happily joining the food program as I have been planning to do, as soon as I get licensed. That should cut out all the debate on food with the parents (although there hasnt been any huge issues until this last new family). For now, I will make it work until next spring when I plan to complete the licensing procedures.

[SunshineMama]

I like the idea of a no junk food policy. We all know how children act up when fe junk food- as a provider I would not want to contend with a 2 year old on a sugar high. Also, kids who eat fruits and veggies have better immunity, therefore less illness. If the parents were aware of the rules ahead of time, I see nothing wrong with enforcing those rules.

[My3cents]

She has had "junk" juice from her parents every day she has been here, has never been sent with water or milk, and is also sent with numerous other snack items. I understand that you are trying to help and I do appreciate people taking the time to post.

In this case, I am soooo over this thread. I feel that a lot of excuses are being made for the parent and that what I am expecting is not unreasonable, especially considering that they agreed and signed the contract AND we discussed lunch in length several times.

Thank you all for your help but I consider this thread over. Its been enlightening but has not changed what I will be doing tomorrow, when she is here and should more junk lunches be sent in the future.

I will be happily joining the food program as I have been planning to do, as soon as I get licensed. That should cut out all the debate on food with the parents (although there hasnt been any huge issues until this last new family). For now, I will make it work until next spring when I plan to complete the licensing procedures.

I think it was a great thread. Brought out a bunch of different opinions.

It is your program. Run it the way you want. I agree with you, if that even matters. If you have asked for that to not come to daycare, then stick by what you believe in. I also see the point that someone else made, I wouldn't want to have to deal with another child wanting the same junk stuff. Do what you have to do and it will be easier when you get on the food program. Don't be overwhelmed by it at first. Let us know how you make out with your decision and the parents reaction to it. I would dump the junk juice or send it back to if I were in your position. You made it clear- your program! They knew. No excuse for the parents on my end of it. I just try to stand back and look at the whole picture- always looking for a balance and I often teeter till I find it. Best-

[renodeb]

What may be junk food to one person may seem fine to another.
For me providing the food eliminates all of those issues. Everyone gets the same thing (age appropriate ofcourse). Uniformity is key in how meals go here. I agree that your job is not to parent these kids, if the parents are cool with you sending the "junk" back home then I say great. I wouldnt push to hard though. Dont loose a good client b/c of one issue. I have talked with a lot of providers (through the years) that have a lot of these same issues with parent provided lunches. For me the stress of having to open 5 seperate lunches wouldnt replace the money your saving having the parents provide the food.
I hope you find a good balance with this issue. Let us know how its going! I'am not sure if you can claim parent provided lunches on the food program anyways! Sorry if this thread didnt help!
Debbie

[cheerfuldom]

What may be junk food to one person may seem fine to another.
For me providing the food eliminates all of those issues. Everyone gets the same thing (age appropriate ofcourse). Uniformity is key in how meals go here. I agree that your job is not to parent these kids, if the parents are cool with you sending the "junk" back home then I say great. I wouldnt push to hard though. Dont loose a good client b/c of one issue. I have talked with a lot of providers (through the years) that have a lot of these same issues with parent provided lunches. For me the stress of having to open 5 seperate lunches wouldnt replace the money your saving having the parents provide the food.
I hope you find a good balance with this issue. Let us know how its going! I'am not sure if you can claim parent provided lunches on the food program anyways! Sorry if this thread didnt help!
Debbie

no, it did help....it just didnt change my mind on how I do things.

As for an update....the last lunch included only one treat! miracle of miracles. this was sent home because she did not finish the rest of her lunch. thats the rule for all the kids. but I am fine with one treat being sent per lunch, to be eaten if all the other food is finished first.

still working on the parents about the drink options. still no water or milk sent for the whole day, just one sugary juice which she doesnt even like! I am fine with providing water and milk, because she needs it.

so things are slowly getting better. The last lunch on Friday was WAAAY better than what was provided the first day and I have not given up on my food policy. It is fair, specific and simple to understand. I have bended as far as I am willing to go and I dont think it unreasonable to have the parents come that last little bit of the way.

[DaisyMamma]

I agree with Crystal.
The parents are deliberately not following your policies. I would keep sending the food home. I also think its a good opportunity to clarify a list of acceptable and unacceptable foods, include lunch ideas, request juice only be sent once or twice a week as long as its 100% fruit juice.
Good luck!

[angelicpretty]

Just my thoughts...

I personally don't agree with dictating what a child eats from home. Also, I would never have enough time in my day to inspect or even pay attention to what a child is eating everyday. That being said, I have up to 15 children in my care at a time.

However, if the parent signed a contract with your rules and expectations for your business on it, then you have a right to run lunch time per your expectations. The power of having things in writing.