Am I Out of Line?

[mismatchedsocks]

1. Kids may sit on my couch, UNTIL they abuse that privilage. Then they get a period of time they may NOT sit on the couch. Then when they abuse it the second time ( either by standing, jumping, etc.) then they can pick a soft chair or sit on floor. I do not think you are out of line.

2. NO OUTSIDE FOOD AT ALL! It is your house, your rules. My own kids get different snacks then the daycare kids sometimes ( in their room, where kids cant see ) that is the privilege they get by being my kids, and dealing with all the other kids in THEIR house. If they want to serve them that junk, do it at home.

3. Meal time. Serve them what is for lunch. Let them know they can have seconds on bread/milk/fruits/veggies, after they finish what is on their plate first. ( this is law in WI, that I must offer seconds of everything but meat) If they are hungry they will eat. Give them only 5 peas, 5 corn, etc. small portions. If they are hungry they will eat. If not they can wait a few hours til snack. They will learn quick.


I would put an end to the 9 year olds comments at your house, by telling her to bring it up to her mom, and that she is being a bad influence on what the younger kids eat, and that will not happen. ( use your strictest, meanest face and voice)
Then I would tell mom same thing, "your 9 year old might not like something, or you may not eat it at home, but she is no longer allow to say those things here in front of anyone, it is hindering their eating"


SCHOOL AGERS ARE THE HARDEST AGE I THINK!!!! I agree with naptime as well. My "naptime/freetime" is cut short in the summer but I still get it. If the school agers are loud, they will nap with the little ones. They can go outside, watch movie, read, art, anything QUIET! The first time they are loud, or wake up the smaller kids, they have to rest or lay there.

[QualiTcare]

oh gasp, some school have done nut free zones, meaning nothing with nuts are allowed on the school grounds... Also alot of school arenot allowing junk food on the grounds either, therefor snacks are healthy snacks!! My dd with the food allergy at our last school didn't care, this one us always on top if things for her, even the first few weeks of school, when they forgot a out her allergy; the principle would go out and get her something for the grocery store deli!! Food allergies are a frowning problem in schools as well as obesity, we need to take an active role in all childrens lives if we are to continue the longgevity!!

i know most schools don't serve junk food in the cafeteria anymore or allow food like mcdonald's or something to be brought in. that doesn't stop kids from bringing lunchboxes filled with cakes and chips. it's not really even about a kid that's allergic SEEING the food and having a reaction. it's about them seeing it, wanting it, and not being able to have it. that's my point. that's what i was saying about the daycares that won't let a kid bring food because "it's not fair to the kids that don't have it" or won't let them bring money on field trips because "everyone can't afford something." if it's a temptation they're going to have to deal with the rest of their life - might as well get used to it now. otherwise, i'd like for everyone that drives my dream car to take a detour around me at all times because it's not fair that i don't have one therefore i shouldn't be exposed to it.

[professionalmom]

This is probably going to come across badly and I'm fairly certain that I'll get flamed for this but I'm going to say it anyway. I need my time during the day to regroup and I can't do that with a school ager who talks too loud during nap and is capable of entertaining herself. I do not get paid to entertain school age kids during naptime. Naptime is a time to rest and regroup for everyone. Not just me. I interact with my kids the entire time that they are here. They get all of my attention and I an 100% tuned in to them. I very seldom get the chance to even eat lunch because I make sure to meet their needs. I don't do much cleaning throughout the day because I am more interested in interacting with them. I am present with them for the entire time that they are awake. It's not asking much to expect a school aged child to be able to entertain themselves during nap time. Maybe I'm alone in feeling that way, but I need the time for me.

Get flamed? Heck, NO!! Nap time is the ONLY break I get in what can sometimes be a 10-16 hour day! Lay down, close your eyes, keep them closed, no fidgeting, no humming, nothing. Be quiet! Period! FYI - my home, my rules!

The mom of these kids sounds like she has raised herself a couple of total brats. How she handles them at home is her business, but she can't expect you to give in to their every demand. I cannot stand parents like that. If they want to raise kids who feel entitled then that's their prerogative, but they can't expect their daycare providers to do things at daycare the way that they do them at home. Ugh...

This is what is sad. The parents have no backbones anymore. They coddle their children beyond spoiling and even to the point of the child's detriment. Then they EXPECT you to bow down to the children as if the child is your boss/king/queen/God. One of my (obviously former) clients actually told me she wanted someone who "works for the children". Really? :: So they are my bosses? :: I work FOR myself. I work to put food on the table FOR my family. I work with children. I teach them, take care of them, love them, nurture them, guide them, direct them, and basically help to mold them into great people. But I will never work FOR a child nor would I let a child boss me around! They need to get over themselves, grow a spine, and actually BE parents, instead of buddies with their children.

[Persephone]

oh gasp, some school have done nut free zones, meaning nothing with nuts are allowed on the school grounds... Also alot of school arenot allowing junk food on the grounds either, therefor snacks are healthy snacks!! My dd with the food allergy at our last school didn't care, this one us always on top if things for her, even the first few weeks of school, when they forgot a out her allergy; the principle would go out and get her something for the grocery store deli!! Food allergies are a frowning problem in schools as well as obesity, we need to take an active role in all childrens lives if we are to continue the longgevity!!

amen!!:d

[Persephone]

I would put an end to the 9 year olds comments at your house, by telling her to bring it up to her mom, and that she is being a bad influence on what the younger kids eat, and that will not happen. ( use your strictest, meanest face and voice)
Then I would tell mom same thing, "your 9 year old might not like something, or you may not eat it at home, but she is no longer allow to say those things here in front of anyone, it is hindering their eating"

I might have to do this. I did let the mom know that she was doing it and I told her (and the mom) that there was no reason to say it when he was clearly eating it right there.

If it happens again I'll talk to the mom with the 9 year old right there.


They are no coming tomorrow. They said that when they got home the 5 year old had a fever and said he had a sore throat. Funny that he acted totally fine here.

Even getting banned from the couch for the last 30 mins of the day because he was grabbing and jumping at his sister on the couch. After I had been talking about how we use the couch half the afternoon.

[Former Teacher]

2. Outside food for breakfast. My son has food allergies and I'd rather outside food not be bought in the house. Last week they bought powered doughnuts and toaster pastries. The girl wanted me to put the pastries in the toaster but I told her that I wouldn't since I didn't want the allergen on my toaster. That night I left a note asking for no outside food.

The mom didn't understand since my son would not be eating them. I told her it's not fair to him, since my son LOVED doughnuts before and he can't eat them now and then to have someone eating them right in front of them in his home.

Plus you just never know if that sugar is going to drop on the floor and my son plays there and then he puts his fingers in his mouth and has a reaction.

I told her how bad his allergy was.

Plus I know most sitters won't let other food in their home.

Question? Are you on the food program? Just wondering because I thought if you were on the food program..there is no outside food at all.

[Persephone]

Question? Are you on the food program? Just wondering because I thought if you were on the food program..there is no outside food at all.

I'm not. Or I could use that.

[Former Teacher]

I'm not. Or I could use that.

True.

I just think its so rude for this family to do that. I hated it when kids would come in with their happy meals or their Taco Cabana tacos and the kids would be just staring at them. It made me mad.

I can't tell you how many times I voiced my opinion to the director on that. I was always blown off. "Well at least they are eating breakfast" or some stupid excuse.

[kimsdaycare]

Quickly adding my 2 cents here, forgive me if it comes out rushed

1. The couch. Use the couch as it was intended or lose the priviledge. My kids were very surprised one morning to find mine GONE. I have a dedicated space, so it was an easy solution, but I got so tired of them treating it like a trampoline and then carrying that energy to everything else that I simply removed it. We have kid-sized furniture for them to sit on anyway. Geesh, I spend most of MY time on the floor, there is no reason they have to have use of a couch they don't appreciate.

2. Outside food. You have a child with an allergy, you are so not out of line. Even if not, children will use outside food as a way to point out the special treat they have that others do not. Parents don't get that the upset this causes can remain for quite some time afterward. They need to be reminded that their child wouldn't like it either. Being said, I DO allow outside food, even though my contract states otherwise. AS LONG as it doesn't cause me grief. Then, I let them know to stop for a while as I have a few that just aren't handling it well.

3. Picky eaters. I don't stress over it. Standing rule here is don't complain, or I will avoid serving your favorite foods for a while. I always tell the kids that today is Johnny's favorite, tomorrow is Suzie's, and if you can manage to not be a stinker about it - the next day is YOURS We all have our dislikes, and that's ok. But complaining won't get you something different, you have to earn that around here - by being polite.

[MARSTELAC]

[QUOTE=Lilbutterflie;33515]I definitely agree that you are not out of line with not allowing outside food! I actually think it's very rude, b/c then all of the kids are drooling over donuts they don't get to have! I allow it IF they bring enough for everyone to enjoy, but when you have a child with food allergies you just can't allow it at all. And yes, we are NOT short order cooks. You eat what you are given or you do not eat at all. There's always the next meal or snack they can eat if they don't approve of the current meal/snack.

I am so glad you said we are NOT short order cooks. I had a parent today (say in front of his kid) that his kid won't eat certain foods, especially what I served for lunch and he has instructed the kid to ask for peanut butter sandwich if I don't serve what he likes! I told dcd NO, I am not a short order cook. So glad I had my backbone today! That kid would have to have peanut butter everyday! P.I.T.A. parents!