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Hi All,
So I have a family that interviewed with me from the neighborhood. They have a 14 month old and a 5 yr. old. When she came to interview the 14 month old I knew was coming from a nanny situation where the Mom worked from home and she was referring to my house as 'daycare boot camp'. I realize this was the sign to run, against my better judgement I accepted them. Apparently, he was babied at home and during the interview he ran around taking toys from all the kids and I quickly noted that instead of redirecting HER child, she would redirect my DCKs. I quickly jumped in to redirect HER child and explained it would take some time for DCB to get the rules and fall into our routine. She also has a 5 yr. old that she wanted to use me for days off school. And because our school district starts earlier than hers, she wanted big brother to come with little brother for the first couple of days to 'ease' the transition to daycare. Mind you the 5 yr. old was NOT part of the interview. My fault.
This is where it blew up. The 5 yr. old could NOT be left unattended at ALL. I have a baby swing for the infant and he would NOT stop touching it. He wanted to play with all the switches and gadgets. I asked him repeatedly to not touch it, gave a time out, I would physically barricade him with my body, while telling him no in a stern voice and he was struggling to physically go around me to touch it. At this point I'm thinking WTH? He also randomly jumps up and down and flaps his hands. He would ask the strangest questions. For instance, "why are those circle things in where the plugs go?" Me... "to protect little ones from getting hurt, those outlets are very dangerous". DCK "what would happen if I put my finger in it", Me..."You would get hurt and have to go to the hospital, so it's not a good choice" DCK. "Could it kill me?" Me, "We don't want to find out" DCK - "How do you know?" Me, "I'm smart, do not touch them"... I had to watch him like a hawk as he frequently studied the outlets. He mentioned going to "summer school" on the bus. I'm left wondering if he has some processing or learning disabilities and it was kept from me during the interview? I just was not prepared for it. He took toys away from kids, dumped buckets of toys, when he went to the bathroom he couldn't be trusted as I could hear him 'playing' with everything (toilet paper holder), water. Btw, the 2 days are up, and I will NOT be taking this 5 yr. old anymore, ever. But, I would mention my issues to the Mom and she would reply with, "wow, rough day". Or "I'm not surprised, he's not a great listener, just give time outs"?
Now the 14 month DCB... He was trying to get into a car (cozy coupe) that was already in use by a another DCK and a struggle broke out, DCK in coupe was saying no, when the new DCB started the biting process (mind you I'm a mere 1/2 step away and prying the little guys mouth away from DCK. Big bro says "yea, he bites ALL THE TIME" ??? Ok, this was not mentioned in the interview and I get why, who wants to admit their kid is a little vampire during a daycare interview, but I'm seriously considering terming.
My issue, she seems to have a presence on the neighborhood social media, and I would not like her to bad mouth me, I have a great reputation and don't want to lose that. But, 1. I do not know if I can work with her as a parent and 2. Deal with the vampire tendencies of the 14 month old, 3. Deal with the MAJOR separation anxiety of the 14 month old. 4. She's not going to like it when I say the 5 yr. old can NOT come back. Ever.
I was honest with this mom, so I'm thinking she already knows these issues exist and it shouldn't come as a surprise. Term?
So I have a family that interviewed with me from the neighborhood. They have a 14 month old and a 5 yr. old. When she came to interview the 14 month old I knew was coming from a nanny situation where the Mom worked from home and she was referring to my house as 'daycare boot camp'. I realize this was the sign to run, against my better judgement I accepted them. Apparently, he was babied at home and during the interview he ran around taking toys from all the kids and I quickly noted that instead of redirecting HER child, she would redirect my DCKs. I quickly jumped in to redirect HER child and explained it would take some time for DCB to get the rules and fall into our routine. She also has a 5 yr. old that she wanted to use me for days off school. And because our school district starts earlier than hers, she wanted big brother to come with little brother for the first couple of days to 'ease' the transition to daycare. Mind you the 5 yr. old was NOT part of the interview. My fault.
This is where it blew up. The 5 yr. old could NOT be left unattended at ALL. I have a baby swing for the infant and he would NOT stop touching it. He wanted to play with all the switches and gadgets. I asked him repeatedly to not touch it, gave a time out, I would physically barricade him with my body, while telling him no in a stern voice and he was struggling to physically go around me to touch it. At this point I'm thinking WTH? He also randomly jumps up and down and flaps his hands. He would ask the strangest questions. For instance, "why are those circle things in where the plugs go?" Me... "to protect little ones from getting hurt, those outlets are very dangerous". DCK "what would happen if I put my finger in it", Me..."You would get hurt and have to go to the hospital, so it's not a good choice" DCK. "Could it kill me?" Me, "We don't want to find out" DCK - "How do you know?" Me, "I'm smart, do not touch them"... I had to watch him like a hawk as he frequently studied the outlets. He mentioned going to "summer school" on the bus. I'm left wondering if he has some processing or learning disabilities and it was kept from me during the interview? I just was not prepared for it. He took toys away from kids, dumped buckets of toys, when he went to the bathroom he couldn't be trusted as I could hear him 'playing' with everything (toilet paper holder), water. Btw, the 2 days are up, and I will NOT be taking this 5 yr. old anymore, ever. But, I would mention my issues to the Mom and she would reply with, "wow, rough day". Or "I'm not surprised, he's not a great listener, just give time outs"?
Now the 14 month DCB... He was trying to get into a car (cozy coupe) that was already in use by a another DCK and a struggle broke out, DCK in coupe was saying no, when the new DCB started the biting process (mind you I'm a mere 1/2 step away and prying the little guys mouth away from DCK. Big bro says "yea, he bites ALL THE TIME" ??? Ok, this was not mentioned in the interview and I get why, who wants to admit their kid is a little vampire during a daycare interview, but I'm seriously considering terming.
My issue, she seems to have a presence on the neighborhood social media, and I would not like her to bad mouth me, I have a great reputation and don't want to lose that. But, 1. I do not know if I can work with her as a parent and 2. Deal with the vampire tendencies of the 14 month old, 3. Deal with the MAJOR separation anxiety of the 14 month old. 4. She's not going to like it when I say the 5 yr. old can NOT come back. Ever.
I was honest with this mom, so I'm thinking she already knows these issues exist and it shouldn't come as a surprise. Term?
: at "vampire tendencies."
So now I get to start over. Lucky me. If I truly cannot care or caring for him will make my life miserable I will bite the bullet and just tell them no hard feelings, but it's not a good match.
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