Nap Time, Help!

[Lkurtyak]

Hi! I have worked in daycare centers for years and recently decided to become an at home provider, and I can honestly say I have never dealt with a child like this, any advice is greatly appreciated.

I have a child who becomes panic sticken leading up to and during naptime, so much so, that she screams at the top of her lungs (waking everybody up), continually gets up off of her cot and tries to get out the door. I have tried to say she can just play quietly on her cot, tried tv, music, rubbing her back, etc. I've even tried calling her parents to see if they can talk her down, and they ended up just coming to get her (which I know could possibly make the situation worse). Thankfully she's only here two days a week, but its very disruptive, and even a little scary for my little ones and I dont know what else to do.

To make matters even worse, I feel like I cant terminate care because not only am I new to this and trying to build a business, but her parents are sort-of friends of mine.

[rmc20021]

Friends or no friends, when the kids are disruptive to that point and only a couple days a week, it's not worth it.

I had the 18 mo daughter of one of my former daycare kids come earlier this week. She screamed bloody murder for the entire 20-30 minutes she was here...never been away from mom.

I told mom she can bring her several times (for free) to spend a little while each time and gradually build the time up, but I refuse to just let her drop her off for an entire day knowing what it would be like.

[EAP]

Does that happen at home? What did the parents say? Was she previously in care? Is it a tantrum or is she actually afraid? I habent dealt with anything like that but have lots of questions.

as a new provider go with your gut on terming - I have been trying to make things work for months in situations and they haven't improved and the outcome is me being burnt out - so not worth it - I'm trying to make changes but it is hard - I 100% know how you feel - hugs on that.

[Heidi]

Since she is part time, is there any way they could bring her 5 mornings instead of 2 full days?

I have one in my group who started at 20 months, and found out that he'd never been a good sleeper, climbed out of bed, went to bed with a bottle. He had been with GMA, and she just needed a break a few days a week. So, instead of putting us all through heck, I suggested her just come 3 mornings, and he leaves at nap.

Once they get to be 2-3 and have never learned sleep skills, it's pretty tough for us to do it. After 3, it typically gets easier again because they follow their peers more, and you can usually reason with them a bit.

[Lkurtyak]

Does that happen at home? What did the parents say? Was she previously in care? Is it a tantrum or is she actually afraid? I habent dealt with anything like that but have lots of questions.

as a new provider go with your gut on terming - I have been trying to make things work for months in situations and they haven't improved and the outcome is me being burnt out - so not worth it - I'm trying to make changes but it is hard - I 100% know how you feel - hugs on that.

First, thank you all for your quick responses!

Parents say that shes been like this since she was born. She's always been at home with mom, but mom decided to go back to work. I think she's used to getting her way when she throws fits, but I just cant do that here. I've tried to ask her parents for help, to come up with a plan or something so this doesn't keep happening, but they're basically said just to call them to pick her up if it does happen... but by then the rest of my kids are up because of her tantrum.

I think you're right, I may just have to term.