This Is Silly But Really Bothers Me...

[Soccermom]

When a DCK seems to really just not like being at your house, does it hurt your feelings? I know it is silly but there are times when I consider terming this DCG because she just doesn't seem to want to fit it.
She won't play with the other DCKS really, she just plays alone or swings all by herself on the swing.
She always seems bored out of her mind when we do crafts and activities (The other kids love the crafts and games I plan!)
She always asks DCD to pick her up early. (All my other DCKS beg their parents to not come pick them up early when they leave work early because they have so much fun here.) They grumble when their parents arrive ...this DCG can't get up fast enough.
I have tried a million different things with this DCG but nothing seems to work.
It is hard to spend every afternoon with someone who doesn't want to be with you. I know it isn't anything I am doing wrong but it is hard when DCD or DCM come to get her and I say - Wow you are really early! and they reply that DCG asked them to pick her up early ??? I just can't understand why..I know most kids want to be with their parents more than with their DP but still...all the other kids have SO much fun here.
Has anyone ever felt this way?

[EchoMom]

Only at the end of the day from like 4-5:30pm when they're all sick of being here and just want to go home. One of them just sits and stares and waits for the sound of his dad's car, while the others are still having fun.

What is the kid's age? Different age than the rest of group?

[Oneluckymom]

Don't take it personally. Some kids just really never will adjust to being at daycare. All these kids want is to be at home with mom or dad. They will never enjoy being away from the parent.

I know because I used to be THAT kid. It's not you...you may have a fantastic program. These are the kids where it really counts to be a stay at home mom. They are the ones that really miss there parents...not that the others dont.

[cheerfuldom]

I wouldnt take it personally but still, it is hard to see a child that is so unhappy. Honestly, she sounds pretty miserable....maybe your daycare is just not the right fit for her? No sense keeping her if you are not liking the situation, she isnt and I am sure the parents are more than tired of picking up early constantly and dealing with a kid that doesnt want to go to daycare every day. Maybe she would do better if you gave her parents a chance to find some place that was a better fit?

[littlemissmuffet]

I wouldn't (and don't) take it personally. Some kids just don't fit in, some kids would truly rather just be home with their parents, some kids are just simply unhappy children.

I would be concerned that she isn't thriving at your house, and because you have tried everything with her, I would be tempted to recommend new care to mom/dad and see what they thought. I don't like keeping kids here with me when I know they aren't happy.

My kiddos enjoy being here, seeing me and their friends, but by the late afternoon, they are ready to go home. It doesn't hurt my feelings. I'd rather be with MY OWN family too.

Don't let it hurt your feelings... but do talk with the parents about the situation and see if you guys can come up with something together (i.e. is the girl unhappy when she is home, etc?)

[sharlan]

You can't please them all.

I have the twin to your's. There is not a single thing I can do to impress this child. I quit trying and just see to it that that child's needs are being met and let it go.

[Soccermom]

Only at the end of the day from like 4-5:30pm when they're all sick of being here and just want to go home. One of them just sits and stares and waits for the sound of his dad's car, while the others are still having fun.

What is the kid's age? Different age than the rest of group?

She is 6. I have 3 other kiddies about her age and all the ages play really well together. They invent all sorts of games and I see them ask her to play often but she doesn't care to join in. She just seems so unhappy to me.

I can't imagine she would be happier elsewhere...we do so many fun things and my kids really like her. I wish she would come around because she seems like a sweet girl but she always looks like she is hiding something. It is very strange.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I had a child like this for 5 weeks. She was the same age as many of the children. She was here 5 weeks and none of them knew her name! She did not talk to any of them (just wanted to talk to me), not a word. She would tell her parents that she hated what we served for meals, that she didn't have fun, etc.

Her parents coddled her which made it even more difficult. We attempted to work on it all before she left. Nothing changed, and the parent opted to "leave" rather than us term them because she knew nothing would change.

[DaisyMamma]

How long has she been there?
Has she been in daycare before?

[Soccermom]

How long has she been there?
Has she been in daycare before?

About 2 months.
She was in a larger center before.