So Upset And Mad!!!!

[daycare]

OK, OK it was the zoo part that offended me as I consider us more of a Jungle!-

I want our doorbell to ring "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns and Roses-

i love that song...

glad to see you take the humor out of this..... we know you and we know you run a great program. don't let some outsider get you down....

[quailsgarden]

Booster seats that buckle work wonders. I had one child that always went crazy with people over and all the other children would follow. Just before someone would be coming over I would sit all the kids at the table for coloring, painting, puzzles ect. Solved the problem instantly!

[Michelle]

Crystal, when you let the kids go outside or in the playroom after lunch, you have an assistant with them right?

I know the answer is "yes " and the reason why we do this in large daycares is because #1 the ones that are done eating will distract the other kids still eating,#2 shouldn't have to just sit there doing nothing when they can be doing other things with another teacher, and #3 it's none of anyones buisness how we do things anyways!

[MamaBearCanada]

I feel for CK. Sometimes kids do get a 'pack' mentality and don't behave how they know they should. One kicks off then they all do. Personally I don't allow kids down from the table while we are eating. I feel it is bad manners and that they need to learn to wait for others. Eating as a group is a good way to learn social skills. It also teaches kids to eat nicely and not rush or throw a tantrum so that they can be excused. The world does not revolve around them or their schedule. If we are eating as a group we are excused together. (However, I wouldn't keep them waiting for a child with eating issues who is taking a long time. Im talking about waitin 5-10mins). It sounds like you are going to have to be right on each child and if one does get down without permission & starts to run around you could hold their hand until you are finished talking.

I think you have many wonderful things about your program and I'm sorry this group is so tough.

[Crystal]

Crystal, when you let the kids go outside or in the playroom after lunch, you have an assistant with them right?

I know the answer is "yes " and the reason why we do this in large daycares is because #1 the ones that are done eating will distract the other kids still eating,#2 shouldn't have to just sit there doing nothing when they can be doing other things with another teacher, and #3 it's none of anyones buisness how we do things anyways!

USUALLY I have someone with them. If I have 8 or less children here, I am often by myself. I STILL do things the same way. I would never, ever make a child sit at a table restless and bored, strirring up trouble, just for the sake of keeping the group together. I wouldn't let them outdoors where I cannot visually supervise them, but they are welcome to play in the playroom, sit in the living room and look at books, etc. But, then, my kids don't misbehave for the most part.

[Country Kids]

I feel for CK. Sometimes kids do get a 'pack' mentality and don't behave how they know they should. One kicks off then they all do. Personally I don't allow kids down from the table while we are eating. I feel it is bad manners and that they need to learn to wait for others. Eating as a group is a good way to learn social skills. It also teaches kids to eat nicely and not rush or throw a tantrum so that they can be excused. The world does not revolve around them or their schedule. If we are eating as a group we are excused together. (However, I wouldn't keep them waiting for a child with eating issues who is taking a long time. Im talking about waitin 5-10mins). It sounds like you are going to have to be right on each child and if one does get down without permission & starts to run around you could hold their hand until you are finished talking.

I think you have many wonderful things about your program and I'm sorry this group is so tough.

Thank you! You described it to a T! It was like a "pack" mentality and no matter what I said, how I said it, no one was going to listen. I think that is what frustrated me the most. It wasn't just 1 child it was 6 of them. The more I tried the more they were going to act up, misbehave and just be out of control.

I guess what I found sad also, is they wouldn't listen to the other mom either. You have two adults telling children to use manners, be quiet, eat, and sit still and none of them listen. Thats the sad thing-

[NeedaVaca]

I feel for CK. Sometimes kids do get a 'pack' mentality and don't behave how they know they should. One kicks off then they all do. Personally I don't allow kids down from the table while we are eating. I feel it is bad manners and that they need to learn to wait for others. Eating as a group is a good way to learn social skills. It also teaches kids to eat nicely and not rush or throw a tantrum so that they can be excused. The world does not revolve around them or their schedule. If we are eating as a group we are excused together. (However, I wouldn't keep them waiting for a child with eating issues who is taking a long time. Im talking about waitin 5-10mins). It sounds like you are going to have to be right on each child and if one does get down without permission & starts to run around you could hold their hand until you are finished talking.

I think you have many wonderful things about your program and I'm sorry this group is so tough.

This is how I feel too, I keep my kids together, they eat together and are excused together. We talk about manners a lot and this teaches them good behavior at the table. I also think learning good table manners at home and daycare helps so much when they go to restaurants,etc. My kids never throw fits or get upset at all when they are waiting for someone to finish the meal. They are all done about the same time and the ones that are finished usually sing songs together

[Crystal]

For the record...I don't want anyone to think I was saying that you (general you) keeping the kids together at the table is wrong.....it just wouldn't work for me and my group.

CountryKids......I hope you are able to figure out what will work with your group. I know several years ago I had a group similiar to what you describe and it took all I had to not burn out. Make sure that you take care of yourself so that the stress doesn't get to you. Good luck

[LK5kids]

{HUGS} to you and I hope all goes well. Keep up the good workhappyface