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Mostly with pickups how long on average do you talk to the parents? Do you try to make it as fast as possible or do you chat a bit? I personally like pickups to be quick because the longer we chat the more their child misbehaves, but I have a couple who like to "chat" a bit, both are the type that for some reason want me to see and hear about all the "cutsie" stuff they do, not like I don't see it ALL DAY LONG....
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Some parents chat/stay a little longer than others.
Some days I don't mind and other days I do.
If a child begins to act up, I will usually end the chat session immediately and tell them I will see them tomorrow and walk away.
It's fairly easy for me to put a stop to the conversations because I have a separate entry way/coat room and parents don't come in past that point so when I am done talking or feel the conversation needs to end, I just say good bye and walk back into the main area of the house. -
short and sweet is best!!! I will give a little info on their day but I really do not like when parents hang out to just chat about other things. Apparently though I am not very good at getting them out quickly because no matter how many times I say "ok, have a good night" and hand over their stuff I have parents who will still stand there talking.Comment
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I have some parents I enjoy talking to, and they love hearing about their child's day. If their child and/or the other children start to misbehave I say either one of two things "Uh oh, looks like little Joey really wants to go home. Here are his things. Bye Joey, see you tomorrow!" and walk away OR "Looks like everyone needs my attention right now. Here are Joey's things. Bye Joey!" and walk away.
works for me, and I am in control of when the conversation is over.
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1-2 minutes max! Almost everyone arrives with in the first 30 minutes of the day and everyone leaves within the last 30 minutes of the day. I tell parents during the interview process that I don't chat at the door. I will tell them of any issues or if it was a good day and send them on their way. With 5-6 kids with 2 minutes per arrival and per departure, you are looking at a good half hour of the day just doing arrivals and departures. Anymore than that and you are looking at the upwards of a full hour each day just opening and closing the door.
I invite families to email me with concerns or I welcome them to come in after closing time to sit down and chat if need be.
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Mine average two minutes. If they need to *talk* to me, they need to schedule an appointment with me.
They are free to email, IM or text at any time during opening hours, but need to be a bit patient for a response.
I tell them during the interview process that from open to close I do CHILD care, ADULT care is by appontment only.
I joke a bit about it, but they get the point. I often tell them I do quick drops because I am highly allergic to adult babytalk from over exposure... they all laugh at that.
It is all in the tone, laughter helps with the delivery, I suspect... :
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- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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I stink at good morning and good bye-
I am as guilty as the parents at times.
I want quick. It makes transition smoother. Esp come the end of the day. I am so ready to be done. I have said this before, but parents don't stop to think we are here before they go to work and after they go to work. We want to end our work day too.
I love the kids but I see the cute stuff all day long.
I have a very hard time with this part of the day because I also at the same time welcome that adult stimulation from a very isolated job.Comment
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I really only speak to the first few parents in the door in the morning. If no one is RIGHT behind the first family (who I unlock the door for), then I only speak to one parent in the morning. It's typically a, "Good morning!" and we're pretty much on our way.
At pick-up, I am reading a book to the other children and most parents won't stop me to ask me a question or talk. My back is actually turned to the parents on the tiny chair I sit on. The children are facing the parents.
Every so often (or certain parents, for that matter) parents try to chat a little bit. If the other children get rowdy, I immediately end the conversation and begin talking to them again and tell that parent, " Good-bye! I'll see you tomorrow!" If I only have 1-2 children left, I don't mind talking for a few minutes. It's never more than 5 minutes, though, and for whatever reason it's usually the last parent of the day who sees the lack of children as an opportunity to bond with me. :: Doesn't matter WHICH parent is the last, they almost all do it (with the exception of 1). A few are really sweet since I've been pregnant and will try to rush their child out the door saying, "Ms. ___ needs a break now, so let's go! Lets let her put her feet up and relax."
There are many adults that come in and out that I may only speak with 30 seconds-1 minute TOPS all week long. :: They like it. One Dad purposely arrives 8 minutes after I open in order to get his child here for breakfast but to avoid any adult interaction. He literally opens the door, clicks "Check In" on the iPad, and bolts. It's HILARIOUS! When his child is the first one here (very rare!) he looks mortified that he actually has to stand there for 30 seconds.
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I really don't mind chatting at pick-up. All of my families have been with me for years and we are very friendly. If a child starts acting up, I just pause the conversation and deal with the issue as I normally would. If the child's parents are the ones picking-up, they handle it. I usually spend 5-10 minutes talking with each parent. I just consider it part of my day
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I, too, don't mind chatting for a little while with each of my parents, but just for 5 or 10 minutes. We all know that's when the kids act up! I really do want to get to know them some, and for them to get to know me. Besides, it's how I get some interesting tidbits of gossip for conversations with my hubby later!
I have had a few over the years that do grossly over-stay their welcome, however. When that happens, I suddenly find we have room in our schedule for another storytime...right at that parent's usual pick-up time. Like the previous poster (perched on her tiny chair-I love it!), that breaks the cycle.
And, yes, the last to pick-up can linger f-o-r-e-v-e-r. I keep my purse and shoes right near when I have one of those, and pretend "I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!" When my sons were little, they were quite familiar with the "fake errand departure routine."Comment
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This one mom I babysit for occasionally when she comes back from an appointment we always talk for about an hour. She just moved to this town a little over a year ago and is a SAHM with 2 kids (a 2 year old and a newborn) so she doesn't know many people out here. She's really cool and I don't mind talking to her but I am very awkward and I am always afraid of saying something dumb that would make her changing her mind about wanting me watch her kids, but at the same time I don't want to be rude and at the same time I don't want to feel like I am overstaying my welcome (its a 2 edge sword). And sometimes I do have plans but wind up not going (last time I was supposed to give blood that day but didn't because by the time I got out it was practically over).
One time I had to babysit on a day when my bf was visiting (he's at university so we rarely see each other) and I had class later that night so I told him to just come by at the end and ring the door bell so I had a reason for leaving on time.Comment
Same here.
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