Daycare For 20 Years And Feeling Lost....

[childrensgarden]

For the first time in 20 years in this business I am frustrate and feeling lost of what to do with non listening children.
I run a pretty tight ship and have a young group (8 month old, 9 month old, 11 month old, 15 mo old, 4- 2 yr olds, 2- 3 yr olds and 2- 4 yr olds). I have one person who helps me (they take care of anyone under one).
We have constant fighting, throwing food, can't line up to go outside, throwing toys and fit throwing. I am consistent in time outs, redirecting and we do lots of outdoor play to run off energy.
I can't imagine some of their home lives and how unstructure it is. I try praising, earn a m&m if you pick up toys and so on..........
Am I just doomed for the next year until they grow up a little OR does someone have any advice?
PLEASE HELP ME! :-)

[Blackcat31]

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[MissAnn]

For the first time in 20 years in this business I am frustrate and feeling lost of what to do with non listening children.
I run a pretty tight ship and have a young group (8 month old, 9 month old, 11 month old, 15 mo old, 4- 2 yr olds, 2- 3 yr olds and 2- 4 yr olds). I have one person who helps me (they take care of anyone under one).
We have constant fighting, throwing food, can't line up to go outside, throwing toys and fit throwing. I am consistent in time outs, redirecting and we do lots of outdoor play to run off energy.
I can't imagine some of their home lives and how unstructure it is. I try praising, earn a m&m if you pick up toys and so on..........
Am I just doomed for the next year until they grow up a little OR does someone have any advice?
PLEASE HELP ME! :-)

I had a very hard group last year. I only take preschool age starting at 3 though. This years group is the best ever! I hope the same for you. Last year I had to do things in increments. Never could I tell kids to go from point A to B without some pushing and shoving to get their first.....instead I excused kids one at a time to do the next things...whatever it might be. I made rules about how many could be in each center and stuck to them. When parents came in, I made sure we were in a group activity and reminded them that the only kid who gets up is the one whose mommy is here. Good luck!

[daycare]

For the first time in 20 years in this business I am frustrate and feeling lost of what to do with non listening children.
I run a pretty tight ship and have a young group (8 month old, 9 month old, 11 month old, 15 mo old, 4- 2 yr olds, 2- 3 yr olds and 2- 4 yr olds). I have one person who helps me (they take care of anyone under one).
We have constant fighting, throwing food, can't line up to go outside, throwing toys and fit throwing. I am consistent in time outs, redirecting and we do lots of outdoor play to run off energy.
I can't imagine some of their home lives and how unstructure it is. I try praising, earn a m&m if you pick up toys and so on..........
Am I just doomed for the next year until they grow up a little OR does someone have any advice?
PLEASE HELP ME! :-)

OMG stop giving them candy...

Well I have to say this, which I am sure that you can agree. I am going on year 10 and in just the last 5 years I have seen a total change in parenting. It seems that the children are the ones that rule the house these days and the parents don't follow through with any form of rules, routines, consequences and so on. I will not say all parents, but a lot of parents..

Is there one child in particular that is making the bunch go nuts???

[cheerfuldom]

i would review the number of kids you have as well as the individual kids and see if you can pin point the exact issues rather than looking at the group as a whole. Is it certain parts of the day or all day? What about your own life? anything new going on that is making things harder to cope with? perhaps it is not even really an issue with the kids?

[Soccermom]

Well I have to say this, which I am sure that you can agree. I am going on year 10 and in just the last 5 years I have seen a total change in parenting. It seems that the children are the ones that rule the house these days and the parents don't follow through with any form of rules, routines, consequences and so on. I will not say all parents, but a lot of parents..

I completely agree with this! I fear what life is going to be like in 20 years when these kids join the real world. Spoiled kids with no respect for adults or authority growing into who knows what kind of adults. Scary.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

i would review the number of kids you have as well as the individual kids and see if you can pin point the exact issues rather than looking at the group as a whole. Is it certain parts of the day or all day? What about your own life? anything new going on that is making things harder to cope with? perhaps it is not even really an issue with the kids?

I suggest you do as Cheerfuldom said!

I recently had a very difficult month. Two children refused to follow the rules and my nerves were shot. After working with the parents very closely, the children are now back on track (or, on track period).

I also recently had to come off of an anti-depressant that I went on after I lost my 3rd consecutive pregnancy due to trying to conceive and that certainly did not help. In fact, it made me really gloomy. We've changed a few things now in order for me to get the help I need without jeapardizing a baby (I don't need to add anymore risk than I already am by just being me ... my body rejects pregnancies without fail).

All of that to say, sometimes it IS just the kids. Sometimes it IS just us. But, sometimes it is both and you really have to evaluate things closely in order to stay sane and happy. ::

[makap]

Well I have to say this, which I am sure that you can agree. I am going on year 10 and in just the last 5 years I have seen a total change in parenting. It seems that the children are the ones that rule the house these days and the parents don't follow through with any form of rules, routines, consequences and so on. I will not say all parents, but a lot of parents..

I totally agree with this! The main reason why I have changed to only provide care for infants and toddlers 2 and under!