I Love It When Parents Warn You About Issues That Aren't Really Issues

[crazydaycarelady]

I had the same thing happen to be with my newest dcbaby. Dcm told me she spits up "a lot" and has reflux. But, her spitting up is very minimal to some babies I have had. This baby goes a whole week without one spit up.

[My3cents]

It's kind of funny how we, as caregivers, know things or know how to do things that parents do not. I think providers should be referred to as Dr.s... There has been many times that a parent has said something like what your parent said and I knew things to try and many times it would work or I have said "have you tried---?". I am in no way saying that parents don't know what to do-many do, but some honestly don't think of or know of things to try to resolve the issue. In this profession we have seen and had experiences with all sorts of "issues" and know what to try to make the "issues" better or resolve them. KWIM? I hope this makes sense, it sounded great when I said it in my head...

I like how you said that it sounded great in your head. This is me usually. but,, it did sound great to me and this is what came to my head. I know for myself and just for my own children- That how I raised my first child is not the way that I am raising my fourth. We learn and grow, so I think many parent don't know, especially with the first child. I think many don't know because most of the time they are working and exhausted the rest. I think with a snap of a finger we can find anything on the internet and have knowledge at our finger tips. Parents rely on that. I know I do. Anywhoo as you said, this all sounded great in my head::

[Mommy2One]

It's kind of funny how we, as caregivers, know things or know how to do things that parents do not. I think providers should be referred to as Dr.s... There has been many times that a parent has said something like what your parent said and I knew things to try and many times it would work or I have said "have you tried---?". I am in no way saying that parents don't know what to do-many do, but some honestly don't think of or know of things to try to resolve the issue. In this profession we have seen and had experiences with all sorts of "issues" and know what to try to make the "issues" better or resolve them. KWIM? I hope this makes sense, it sounded great when I said it in my head...

As much as anyone can be an "expert" on children, many of you ladies are. Many of you have cared for 3-8 children/day, 5 days/week for years. The advantage of caring for so many different children also means you've seen a wide variety of temperaments, physical conditions, and issues. A parent can read "What to Expect..." cover to cover, track milestones and Google every little thing that seems odd and it's still not going to be a perfect substitute for that range and depth of experience.

My daughter's diaper was my first and prior to her birth I could count on one hand the number of times I'd held a baby. My only sibling was fairly close to me in age, our relatives were scattered around the country and at 13-16, when most girls are babysitting, I was too in awe of the responsibility to try it (I also didn't start driving until I was 17 for the same reason).

So please try to remember that if this were an office you ladies would be the seasoned veterans with 10 years of experience and most parents would be the interns with book knowledge but not much hands on experience who are learning as we go and (ideally) trying our best to figure everything out. (But I bet in the areas of my work and/or hobbies the roles would be reversed.)

[melilley]

As much as anyone can be an "expert" on children, many of you ladies are. Many of you have cared for 3-8 children/day, 5 days/week for years. The advantage of caring for so many different children also means you've seen a wide variety of temperaments, physical conditions, and issues. A parent can read "What to Expect..." cover to cover, track milestones and Google every little thing that seems odd and it's still not going to be a perfect substitute for that range and depth of experience.

My daughter's diaper was my first and prior to her birth I could count on one hand the number of times I'd held a baby. My only sibling was fairly close to me in age, our relatives were scattered around the country and at 13-16, when most girls are babysitting, I was too in awe of the responsibility to try it (I also didn't start driving until I was 17 for the same reason).

So please try to remember that if this were an office you ladies would be the seasoned veterans with 10 years of experience and most parents would be the interns with book knowledge but not much hands on experience who are learning as we go and (ideally) trying our best to figure everything out. (But I bet in the areas of my work and/or hobbies the roles would be reversed.)

Oh no, I didn't mean anything by what I said! I completely agree, in other professions I wouldn't know up from down... Ask me how to do, say, what Tom Copeland does and I could try, but he's the expert; he knows all the little ins and outs. Each profession its own seasoned experts. All I meant was that some parents do not know these little things that we know just from experience and since we as caregivers have had experience with issues or anything else child related that sometimes letting a parent know a way to make things easier or better can help them out. Many times the parents will say "I didn't think of that". So you are right, if the roles were reversed, I would have no clue how to do what you do. (depending on what you do)

[melilley]

I like how you said that it sounded great in your head. This is me usually. but,, it did sound great to me and this is what came to my head. I know for myself and just for my own children- That how I raised my first child is not the way that I am raising my fourth. We learn and grow, so I think many parent don't know, especially with the first child. I think many don't know because most of the time they are working and exhausted the rest. I think with a snap of a finger we can find anything on the internet and have knowledge at our finger tips. Parents rely on that. I know I do. Anywhoo as you said, this all sounded great in my head::

Thanks I agree, we all grow and that's how we learn! I have an almost 10 year old and when she was born, I only kinda knew what I was doing only because I worked in child care for 5 years before I had her, but I can definitely look back and see what I could have done differently and now I kinda know what I will do differently with my 5 month old. I am still learning, even after 14 years of providing child care and having two kids!

[Mommy2One]

Oh no, I didn't mean anything by what I said! I completely agree, in other professions I wouldn't know up from down... Ask me how to do, say, what Tom Copeland does and I could try, but he's the expert; he knows all the little ins and outs. Each profession its own seasoned experts. All I meant was that some parents do not know these little things that we know just from experience and since we as caregivers have had experience with issues or anything else child related that sometimes letting a parent know a way to make things easier or better can help them out. Many times the parents will say "I didn't think of that". So you are right, if the roles were reversed, I would have no clue how to do what you do. (depending on what you do)

I know! I was agreeing/reinforcing what you said...it got a little long because I think I was also kind of responding to general comments and themes I've noticed on this thread/forum.

I think I was trying to say that it can be odd because parenting/childcare is one of the only "professions" where the amateurs are the ultimate decision makers and the veterans sometimes have to give advice from the sidelines (daycare providers, grandparents, etc.)

[Small Wonders]

Maybe they weren't burping or some people just love drama and chaos. They really tell some stories I guess to sort of add excitement to what they have going on and it is mostly exaggerated.

[melilley]

I know! I was agreeing/reinforcing what you said...it got a little long because I think I was also kind of responding to general comments and themes I've noticed on this thread/forum.

I think I was trying to say that it can be odd because parenting/childcare is one of the only "professions" where the amateurs are the ultimate decision makers and the veterans sometimes have to give advice from the sidelines (daycare providers, grandparents, etc.)

Oh I see. I read it the wrong way...oops