Interview & cultural differences

[blandino]

We had an interview today, with a referral from one of our favorite DCFs. They have been on our waiting list since Nov, and we had a DCG have her last day on Friday - so we can now take them on. It is so funny how when one of your favorite daycare families refer someone, you assume the fit will be as good as it is with that DCF.

There is a language barrier, as they are German. And was we know from the clients who referred them (are also German) daycare is not a very common concept for them. So there was a lot of discussion about how things work.
Mom seems very sad to leave DCB (8 months), but she has started school and needs some study time, so we will start out with 1/2 days at first. I think its more for her than DCB.

Also mom was very concerned what we do when two of the little ones are crying at once... I very nicely tried to explain that one will have to wait - but that we decide based on which babies need is the highest priority (I don't need to explain this to you ladies).

DCB (8 months) doesn't hold is own bottle, and only naps for 30 min at a time - oh and drinks fennel tea after meals.

Also, they were very thrown off by having to pay tuition when they are not coming. I tried to explain that they are paying for the spot, and we are still here providing care whether they are here or not. But I think the language / cultural barrier made things a little difficult.

Also, at the end of the interview mom saw our training potty, and asked about potty training - because grandparents said that DCD was trained at 10 months. I know kids in European countries are trained earlier, however I explained to her that our kids don't train until 2/2.5. What she mentioned seemed at lot like elimination communication - and not potty training.

Despite all this, they were very very nice. I just think it won't be the smoothest transition. Fingers crossed.

[laundrymom]

Good luck !!!

When parents ask me what I do when more than one child cries I try to get them to see the logistics of it. I answer with, why are they crying? If two children need a diaper change at the same time I change the poopy one first. But all diapers are changed when wet or soiled as soon as I notice so waiting 3 minutes doesn't usually lead to crying.
If they are hungry I feed the one who ate earliest because they are most apt to need it more. Infants are fed on demand so the probability of them needing to be fed at the same time is limited. Unless parents drop off hungry, which is a no-no. Children should arrive fed and ready for the day.

Then I ask, are there specific times during the day you feel may be challanging for me. If so let me know and I'll tell you how I would handle them.

[Willow]

Glad you decided to take them on regardless of the communication challenges and cultural differences!

I personally would love to take on a native German family! I would naturally assume that the child was going to be the best behaved one in my bunch and jump at the opportunity. God bless their trademark tender but very disciplined parenting styles, I honestly wish more American parents would jump on that train

[Evansmom]

Glad you decided to take them on regardless of the communication challenges and cultural differences!

I personally would love to take on a native German family! I would naturally assume that the child was going to be the best behaved one in my bunch and jump at the opportunity. God bless their trademark tender but very disciplined parenting styles, I honestly wish more American parents would jump on that train

I second this!

I've been working in the daycare industry for 17 years and parenting for more than 19 so I have run into many many parents and different parenting styles over the years. Hands down the best parenting I've ever seen was that of my friend from Germany and without question she has 4 of the most interesting and well behaved kids I've ever met. I model almost everything I do after what I have seen her do!

Hope everything works out for you!

[Blackcat31]

Cool! One of the best parts of this job has been the interaction I have been able to have with different cutures.

I am sure if you have any basic questions, you could always PM Heidi and this is right up her alley as she is German through and through and I think even speaks German fluently.

[youretooloud]

ALL of my new kids are from Turkey or Iraq and it is hard to try to understand new cultures. You just listen closely and do your best to do things right, even if you don't understand.

I have spent more time on Youtube trying to learn their cultures and reasons than I ever did watching old rock videos. I figure I'll get the hang of it soon.

I have a few families from India too, but they are much easier to follow (cultures and rules) than the others. After meeting these families, I ADORE the Indian culture.