For The Love Of Pete...

[Sunshine74]

I had a dcm bring donuts & soda with her kids every morning. I started sending them back out the door to finish their 'breakfast' because they didn't have enough to share. Fast forward the following week and dcm comes in with a 12 pack of soda and 2 dozen donuts.


< my face. Hahaha, we had donuts, the soda was sent to dh's work and then I sent home the 'NO FOOD AT ALL EVER' policy update.

I made this face when I read that! Do people not know how to read between the lines?

[Kaddidle Care]

Just put the sweeties aside as soon as Mom/Dad are out the door and feed it to the children approximately 5 minute before pick up.

If it's OK by them to send their kids in all sugared up then it's OK to send them home that way.

[littlemissmuffet]

Ok, I know we've discussed this before. But please recap for me... Why do we care so much about what the kids are fed??? If we are too controlling of THEIR child, aren't we going to just pi** them off?

First of all, as a childCARE provider how can I NOT care about what my kids are eating? The kinds of foods put into a child's body affect the way a child thinks, feels, behaves! Also, when a child starts off his life with terrible eating habits from mom/dad they often stay with him throughout his life... which can lead to a miriade of long-term health issues... obesity being primary, which we all know contributes to potentially fatal medical problems like diabetes, heart conditions, stroke, etc.

Also, the kind of parent that lets their child drink soda and eat donuts for breakfast (and doesn't even try to hide it) on regular basis isn't typically the kind of parent that brushes their child's teeth... I know, I see it all the time. Imagine the worst toothache you have ever had... now imagine being just a kid with rotting teeth and having to deal with that?

I care because I love my kiddos and I want what's best for these kids... and it breaks my heart that some of these kids' own parents don't even try to give them the best!

[littlemissmuffet]

Oh, and for the record, if a parent is going to be p*ssed off at me because I don't agree that children should be eating junk food first thing in the morning they can find a new daycare that doesn't give a damn... we all know there are plenty of those out there. My job is to CARE for these kids... especially when a parent doesn't!!

[daycarediva]

I don't allow food in my daycare AT ALL now. When I started, I used to have the parents bringing in their own breakfast. It was always crap. My kids would sit there, with their homemade wheat waffles and fruit like "MCDONALDS MAKES BREAKFAST!?!"

That's what started me thinking about how much kids NEED me. If the parents aren't willing to step it up and hand the kid a banana (How convenient can a fruit BE!?) then I would. I had 6 kids eat spinach today, and have seconds. At home, I know one of those kids will only eat cereal for dinner. I know that one WILL have fast food. BUT, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack, I managed to get 75% of their fruit and veggie servings in. I care, or I wouldn't bother.

[MarinaVanessa]

I personally don't care what parent's feed their children when they're at home. I do however care what they eat when they are in daycare. It's my personal belief that in my daycare if they all can't have one then no one can. It really cuts out the problem about "Mrs daaaaycaaare proviiiiderrrrr. How come Suzie gets a cooooookieeee! I want a cooooookieeeee toooo. Waaaaah".

I don't give DCP option of bringing somehting for their child as long as they have enough for all of the daycare kids because what about the kids whos parent's do care what they eat and don't allow their child to eat junk ... KWIM? So I simply have the "No food from home period because I said so" rule ... unless of course it's because of medical reasons.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I don't allow food in my daycare AT ALL now. When I started, I used to have the parents bringing in their own breakfast. It was always crap. My kids would sit there, with their homemade wheat waffles and fruit like "MCDONALDS MAKES BREAKFAST!?!"

That's what started me thinking about how much kids NEED me. If the parents aren't willing to step it up and hand the kid a banana (How convenient can a fruit BE!?) then I would. I had 6 kids eat spinach today, and have seconds. At home, I know one of those kids will only eat cereal for dinner. I know that one WILL have fast food. BUT, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack, I managed to get 75% of their fruit and veggie servings in. I care, or I wouldn't bother.

happyface Me, too. The children MUST try 3 bites of something before they can say they won't eat it. It's all healthy and they end up loving it after the 1st bite. Sometimes, it's just the encouragement to try something new or eat something that isn't covered in sugar crumbs, sugar sauce, or sugar stacked on sugar that is needed.

[littlemissmuffet]

I don't allow food in my daycare AT ALL now. When I started, I used to have the parents bringing in their own breakfast. It was always crap. My kids would sit there, with their homemade wheat waffles and fruit like "MCDONALDS MAKES BREAKFAST!?!"

That's what started me thinking about how much kids NEED me. If the parents aren't willing to step it up and hand the kid a banana (How convenient can a fruit BE!?) then I would. I had 6 kids eat spinach today, and have seconds. At home, I know one of those kids will only eat cereal for dinner. I know that one WILL have fast food. BUT, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack, I managed to get 75% of their fruit and veggie servings in. I care, or I wouldn't bother.

I don't allow food or drink from outside either, never have - but there's always that parent that tries to bring something in because the rules apparently don't apply to them

And I agree with you that many of these kids NEED responsible, caring providers that encourage healthy living!!

Every child I have ever had that "just won't eat at home unless it's junk" eats wonderful for me... fruits, veggies, grains, healthy dairy products not chalked full of sugar, etc. Plus, these kids wouldn't even know what junk food and fast food was if the parents didn't introduce it!!

These kids can't make their own food choices - it's so unfair to start them off so poorly by making terrible food choices for them!

[Willow]

Ok, I know we've discussed this before. But please recap for me... Why do we care so much about what the kids are fed??? If we are too controlling of THEIR child, aren't we going to just pi** them off?

I know I know, my house my rules I get that. But I just waffle on this alot... I offer delicious, healthy, fresh cooked breakfast, but a kid still comes with a sticky bun... Or gum in his mouth... Or Funions.... I hate it. But it's not my kid, so why do I care if the mom feeds her kid crap?

Because the residual effects of a sticky bun, gum and funions are going to play a HUGE role in that child's behavior for the rest of the day. One cannot expect a child to behave any kind of reasonable with straight sugar and fat coursing through their veins.

If a parent wants to force their child to endure massive blood sugar spikes and drops that'll turn the kiddo and THEIR home into a WWIII zone of horrific behaviors then of course they are well within their right to do so.....but doing that to a child, or to me? It will not be tolerated in my home or on my time.

I can tolerate any normal healthy toddlers mood swings with patience and ease, but cannot counter or compete with the behaviors of one pumped full of crap. No one can, or should have to.


If a parent doesn't agree with the logic and absolute science behind that, then they are not a good fit for my program.

[Willow]

Actually, I apologize for not stating this in the 1st post, but these are my 2nd shift kids & they arrived at 3:30 this afternoon. Brother & sister. But only the sister had a cookie.

This is the same mom who NEVER brought shoes for her children, even when asked 3 times. I also asked her not to bring a diaper bag back & forth, children have a drawer here for them to leave their things, so instead of bring a "diaper" bag she started bringing a "kroger" bag. Ugh. I said NO BAGS at all. Keep their crap here in the drawer I provide & make it easier on everyone! She also kept swiping her childcare card & leaving it lie on my counter while she went to work. Uhhhh....no. I can get in trouble for that if I get an inspection. She allowed the daughter to bring toys from home. NOPE. Not allowed.

Seriously...how hard is it to follow the rules?
1. Don't bring food unless there is enough for everyone!
2. Don't bring toys from home unless it is a donation for my daycare!
3. Shoes are a must!
4. Children have a drawer here for their things...stock it up & don't bring a bag!
5. Don't leave your card here!

This is the mother of the little boy who bit my 7 month old son twice in the 1st week he was in my care. Also the same mom who ASSURED me her children would only be here 2nd shift during the month of September...here it is the end of October & they are still 2nd shift, with no future plans of that changing either. It's been trouble from the start

Your rules sound completely reasonable.

What are you doing to enforce them?


If you're handing mom the cookie back, refusing admittance because the children don't have appropriate footwear, telling her 2nd shift was supposed to be done September - NO MORE.....guaranteed you'd feel a lot better at the end of the day. She's making your life miserable, pass it back to her and get it off your shoulders!

Some parents will never take the initiative to follow the rules on their own, at that point you have to demonstrate that compliance is not an option or they'll continue to walk all over you.


Good luck!

[Daycarelady1979]

I actually didn't say anything about the cookie...I just made a face like, Are You Freaking Kidding Me Right Now??????? I took the cookie away from the little girl as soon as her mom left & put it on top of the microwave. A few hours later I tossed it in the trash. She didn't notice or care a bit. I really don't care what the kids our fed on THEIR time, I know they are being fed healthy & nutritious meals while they're in MY care, but 2 things bother me about this scenario:
1.) Did she ever hear of teaching her kid to share?
2.) A total lack of respect for my (clearly stated) rules.

To be honest, I'm afraid to say anything about the 2nd shift hours right now b/c I just lost a full time kid & I need the income! I seriously live in one of the poorest counties in the state of Ohio...there are no jobs here...our little town was on 60 Minutes twice last year due to the job loss...Rachael Ray & other celebrities have come here trying to help the local economy. It's bad news. I have to take the business where I can get it. I hate 2nd shift & I wish I didn't have to do it, but unfortunately I'm stuck between a rock & a hard place

All of the other issues (besides the cookie, b/c that happened AFTER the fact) were addressed in a letter to the mom that I had her sign & return. She has been much better about following the rules over the last week. Thank goodness!

[Unregistered]

because once it's at your door it can cause multiple problems

Ok, I know we've discussed this before. But please recap for me... Why do we care so much about what the kids are fed??? If we are too controlling of THEIR child, aren't we going to just pi** them off?

I know I know, my house my rules I get that. But I just waffle on this alot... I offer delicious, healthy, fresh cooked breakfast, but a kid still comes with a sticky bun... Or gum in his mouth... Or Funions.... I hate it. But it's not my kid, so why do I care if the mom feeds her kid crap?

Meanwhile, I've got scrambled eggs, wheat toast, and grapes sitting there for after his sticky bun...

It's about reminding the parents that their kids aren't the only one in your care, if they feed the child at their home thats fine- but once they bring junk to my home then all the other kids see it and they want the junk and they tell their parent's "Mommy, why did I have to eat oatmeal for breakfast at daycare, but Bobby got to eat chocolate donuts?" Then they start bringing in more junk food because their kids complain about it and parents get frustrated that they have to give their kids junk or hear them complain about it later when they pick them up (this can definately happens if during lunch a parent brings McDonalds, than you will have a riot on your hands!) it also affects your food program papers, and if someone from state inspects sees junk food in your daycare they may report you to the food program or write a note in your files that you don't provide nutrious meals to the children (that state FCC inspectors do the wierdest things)

Annother issue, if a child brings in something that another child might be allergic to (like a strawberry pop-tart, chocholate and/or peanut butter candy- all high allergy rates but popular flavors- some people get reaction from nuts just by the smell of it) and they "share" with the allergic child and that child has a reaction and you have to take them to the ER and explain that the reason their child got ill in your care was because you didn't know a child brought in food that their kid was allergic to, and you may have a lawsuit (to pay for medical treatment) or a complaint to the state from the parents for not creating a safe environment.

Most children have a syndrome called "they have it, I want it" thats why it is best for child to just be given the same options when in group care- it is also more benificial for them to have healthier options (espesually if their parents wont) and for the parents because they don't have to waste more money on junk food- because if the provider is on a food program it pays them to feed the kids so thats an extra service the parent doesn't have to pay extra for.

But anyway if I was the original poster, I would just give her one more fair warning (or you can tell her that the state inspecter showed up and made a comment that you shouldn't allow children in your care to have junk food) and if she does it again she will need to be terminated because it affects all the kids in your care.

[Daycarelady1979]

Good news- I will only have to keep the kids 2nd shift one night a week now...woot!! And this will be much easier now that football is over for my oldest son. happyface