Not Another Miserable Summer.....

[providerandmomof4]

Last week, due to holiday, plus inservice, then two snow days....my kids were only in school one day. I also kept one dcb full days due to the different reasons that school was out. Now today, school cancelled again due to a winter storm supposedly coming. We've only gotten a few inches so far...This brings me to my two issues: Firstly, I never agreed to keep dcb full days when school was out. Yes, I have the space, but it annoys me that his parents just began "expecting" it. Dcp didn't even ask today....just dropped both dcb's off (I keep one dcb full time and one part time due to pre-k) and said,"Well, looks like you have an extra today, due to school being cancelled." I didn't expect this to be a problem but it has become one due to my second issue. Second issue: My dcd and part time older dcb are constantly, constantly bickering. Previously , they would only see each other for an hour in the afternoon, after my daughter came home from school. They are driving me crazy these past days. For some reason, my dcd and dcb DO NOT get along. Now I have a taste of what is to come this summer and I am not having another miserable summer due to SAC. I told myself never again. How should I handle it? I know that dcp are going to expect me to keep both boys full time this summer and I do not want a summer of fighting and bickering. My daughter gets along great with the little's! I want a nice summer with my little dck's and my own children.....is this too much to ask? How do I tactfully tell dcp that I'm not interested in keeping them this summer? I know I'll probably lose the younger dcb but seriously, that's a chance that I'll take in order to not have another rough summer...

[butterfly]

I would just ask them what their plans for the summer were in regards to child care. I would tell them that you will no longer be watching school age kids.

This should give them plenty of time to make other arrangements.

[Heidi]

I would just ask them what their plans for the summer were in regards to child care. I would tell them that you will no longer be watching school age kids.

This should give them plenty of time to make other arrangements.

Yep!

If you don't want to loose them yet, though, I'd wait a little longer, like until the end of March. There shouldn't be too many snow days left now...

[Play Care]

I would just ask them what their plans for the summer were in regards to child care. I would tell them that you will no longer be watching school age kids.

This should give them plenty of time to make other arrangements.

I am going to be dealing with something similar and I am actually looking to fill the spot with a child of the appropriate age. That way I can say sincerely that I don't have spots.

[wdmmom]

I would wait until after Spring break to see what their plans are.

[WoodOx]

i had that same problem with my DS and a DKG they bickered sooooo much. mainly for the first two weeks of summer, i had a talk with both of them.
anyhow, i have decided NOT to take in any SA ever again full time. i only do before school care. also i have noticed that SA want more attention from me and complain of being bored and are mean to the small ones.

[KnoxMom]

I would just ask them what their plans for the summer were in regards to child care. I would tell them that you will no longer be watching school age kids.

This should give them plenty of time to make other arrangements.

Best Answer

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would just ask them what their plans for the summer were in regards to child care. I would tell them that you will no longer be watching school age kids.

This should give them plenty of time to make other arrangements.

I would absolutely do this.

[itlw8]

1st you tell them they need to ASK if you have room on snow days.

Then you tell them that because of how the snow days have been going you have decided not to take older children in the summer. Have a list of day camps in your area that might work for them. Explain older children are bored in a preschool environment so it is best for their child.

[daycarediva]

I would just tell the family that while you enjoy dck after school, due to the excessive days off from school you have realized that you cannot keep him stimulated all day long while caring for littles.

I just said the same thing to my SA dcb's Mom. Dcb will be going to YMCA daycamp, and coming back for B/A care when school starts up!

[rmc20021]

Must be an epidemic...I just decided the same thing yesterday when our school was out and I had 2 SA girls here. We were busy all day, but it was all pre-school stuff and the SA's were bored and not happy. Most of the day they were doing good, but towards the end of the day it started going downhill.

They were trying to tell the little ones what to do, hoarding the toys so the little ones couldn't get to them and then one of them complains about everything we have for meals...."Actually, I really don't like ,,,,,,," Too bad, that's what we're having. Yesterday we had mashed potatoes, with the skins on and she complained about them at first, then said that actually she doesn't like ANY mashed potatoes and refused to eat them...which sets a bad example for the little guys.

So I also decided I'm not going through the summer like this...I have spaces available now so when they fill, or get close to it I will be terming the SA and refuse to take any more.

[providerandmomof4]

I would just tell the family that while you enjoy dck after school, due to the excessive days off from school you have realized that you cannot keep him stimulated all day long while caring for littles.

I just said the same thing to my SA dcb's Mom. Dcb will be going to YMCA daycamp, and coming back for B/A care when school starts up!

And it is the truth, really! Although I know that it will be easier in the summer due to being able to get outside more...I am just tired of having to constantly discipline the SA...my dd the most. Her and the db are very smart and both constantly trying to be the leader of the group...nothing but bickering. I have to separate them constantly but they gravitate right back to one another!:confused: Exhausting mentally!