Saying Goodbye To My First DCB

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

My very first dcb is leaving on Wednesday.

His mom is going on maternity leave, he is getting a baby brother. happyface

So I have formed a great bond with this child and his parents, they are an awesome family and never gave me a problem.

They call me his second mom, I have gone to his birthdays and have watched him grow.

My question is, do you give him a going away gift, and would you give a little baby gift to the parents?

[Scout]

If there is a way you can do this & not have your other dcf find out I say yes! It sounds like this is more than just a dcb & dc provider relationship for all of you. You just don't want to be stuck feeling obligated to do this when every kid moves on.

[littlemissmuffet]

I don't offer parents night out to any of my clients. However, when a child leaves, my gift to them (and the child) is a fun Friday night sleepover with pizza supper, a movie or other fun activity and breakfast in the morning. It gives the parents a break, gives the child a little treat away from home and gives me a chance to spend time with a daycare kid I miss.

I give a small gift when my kiddos get siblings, usually a baby blanket with card to welcome baby to the world!

[MyAngels]

My question is, do you give him a going away gift, and would you give a little baby gift to the parents?

I would do both, and I would write a nice note as well. I give keepsake gifts to nearly all of the kids that have left my care.

[daycarediva]

I would do both. A small photo book of how he has grown, and maybe a big brother/little brother matching shirts.

(This made me tear up just thinking of some of my littles going to Kindergarten next year. I'm going to miss the little boogers!)

[spud912]

Aww, I feel for you! It's so hard to see a little one grow up!

As for gifts, I am a big gift giver. It's just in my nature...I love giving people thoughtful gifts! For children leaving child care, I make a picture album with lots of pictures of all of their "friends" and us so they can remember us. I also hand write a note into the book "Oh the Places You Will Go" by Dr. Seuss. Lastly, if the child had any personal comfort items I gave him or her while at daycare, I gift those to the child (like if they had a special blanket or stuffed animal just for them).

For the newborn, I am more laid back with gifts because a newborn doesn't care about "things." I usually give one outfit and a black and white cloth book. Instead, I like to do nice things for the parents, like offer my child services overnight for the older sibling when the mom goes into labor (free of charge) and make a take-home meal or two for when they get out of the hospital.