Why Would A DCM Do This?

[crazydaycarelady]

I have a clipboard with a state required sign in/out sheet that all of the parents have to sign twice daily. One dcm (the mom of my infamous 4yo dcb) always lets her 4yo "sign" the sheet. He chicken scratches his name on the sheet somewhere. Well now she is letting her 1yo "sign" the sheet which amounts to it getting scribbled ALL OVER! Seriously, scribbles everywhere.

Why?

Other kids ask to sign it and their parents say no since it is obviously not a sheet for kids!

I cannot stand this family!!

[crazydaycarelady]

BTW - I have told dcb repeatedly NOT to write on the sign in/out sheets. The first thing on his agenda today is to take an eraser and erase scribbles off of a sign in/out sheet!

[daycarediva]

New sheet for the week/month go up with a sign at the top of the clipboard saying adults only can sign. Then verbally tell dcb & dcm "Sorry dcm but the kids can't sign the sheets anymore. I have to photocopy them for my records & the state wasn't happy that they were so messy."

[Willow]

Tell mom it's for the state and needs to be legible.

If you want fudge and tell her your licensor chastized you for the scribbles on the last one so those need to stop.

[MarinaVanessa]

Grr that would make me mad too. But if that happened to me the program wouldn't take the sign in sheet. They are very particular about the sign in sheets. I'd be POd.

[SilverSabre25]

It's possible she doesn't get that it's a serious kind of thing and treats it like it's just something cute you do and the kids ought to do it too. Not saying she''s right just trying to find an explanation for you

Have you tried being firm with her? Stop her as she goes to let the 4 yo or 1 yo sign and say "This is for grown up to sign, Mary. I need this for my records. YOU need to sign it, not Jimmy and Charlie."

[crazydaycarelady]

Yes, I do need to just say something to dcm. But really, shouldn't this be self-explanatory? I am so tired of telling these parents how to behave!

Please don't let your kid sign the sign in out sheet.
Please don't walk through my garden.
Please don't let your kids steal garden decorations from my garden.
Please don't blah blah blah...........

[Crystal]

I would say something to Mom, but I would also put a second clipboard next to it for the children to sign in and out. I'd add some cards with their names and photos on them in a basket next to it. This is a great way for children to begin learning how to write their name and they LOVE to be included in the "check in/out" process like their parents.

[itlw8]

get a small clip board for the kids to sign in on it can be name writing practice. Then tell mom again to keep them off the sheet. make a fine if you have to. The problem is you let it happen every day. Instead of correcting dcb you should have told dcm the first time.

[slorey]

Would it be possible to create a separate kids sign in area so all the kids can sign themselves in, even those whose parents understand boundaries and know how to use the dreaded no word? But at the same time stress to the parents the importance of them not touching the official sign in? Did you mention to mom that they aren't allowed to sign themselves in? If worse comes to worse you can tell her the state wasn't happy the sheets were messy and they threatened to suspend your program if you ever turn anything in that is that unprofessional again! Bet if she was going to lose care over it she wouldn't find it so cute! That would annoy me as well. I hate parents that do not use common sense!

[makap]

I would say something to Mom, but I would also put a second clipboard next to it for the children to sign in and out. I'd add some cards with their names and photos on them in a basket next to it. This is a great way for children to begin learning how to write their name and they LOVE to be included in the "check in/out" process like their parents.

I like this idea!

[Cradle2crayons]

Unfortunately, some parents just don't GET it.

I'd have out my foot down on the first incident. Your right, mom knows better.

And I did try doing the kids sign in sign out thing a long time ago, but it dragged out the process so much I had to stop doing it.

[crazydaycarelady]

And I did try doing the kids sign in sign out thing a long time ago, but it dragged out the process so much I had to stop doing it.

Yes, I am very hesitant to do this. I close at 5:30 and most of my parents show up at, you guessed it, 5:30! I just want them gone by that time and I can see a line up of kids waiting to sign out! LOL

[littlemissmuffet]

Ugh. I had a kid/parent like this. It drives me crazy when parents cannot say no to their children!! I should never have to control a child when their parent is present

I also respectfully disagree with the previous poster about having a second clip board for the children. I like the idea of turning as many moments in a day into learning opportunities but at the same time children need to learn that they don't need to be and won't be involved in every little thing their parents are doing. Plus... I don't want kiddos/parents here any longer at the end of the day than they need to be - kiddos can draw/write with their parents in the car or at home!

[TheGoodLife]

Have you tried being firm with her? Stop her as she goes to let the 4 yo or 1 yo sign and say "This is for grown up to sign, Mary. I need this for my records. YOU need to sign it, not Jimmy and Charlie."

Yes, firmly tell her that she cannot let her children do it anymore- it shouldn't be DCBs fault- as the consequence of erasing tells him- and MAKE her stop. Some people are just so wrapped up in letting their lids have fun that they don't care or understand there's a reason for things!