Crazy Parent

[Blackcat31]

I don't know about anyone else's driveway but if one parent was hogging my driveway for so long depending on where she parked it could be almost impossible for others to park too. Our driveway is long but not very wide. We also live on a semi-busy street, no parking is allowed on the street. It would pose a problem for me b/c it would make other pick-ups problematic. I'd have to address it for this very reason.

I got the impression this was a center and the "driveway" is a parking lot....

I don't know for sure though....

Either way, I DO think the OP needs to have a sit down discussion with this parent and address some of the issues/behaviors that are going on so that EVERYONE attending is comfortable with the situation, whatever it may be.

[adevonw]

Crazy Parent-Update

Thank you all for your comments. All the information was very helpful and here is the latest.

After thinking about it and discussing it with other workers we came to the conclusion that she we don't think she is OCD. She has no problem buzzing in when she is dropping off. It is only when she is picking up that we are having these issues. I DO think she has some control issues and her impending divorce and life changes may be bringing these issues out more strongly than normal. At any rate, it is something that I have decided to address.

Today during drop off she came in and put her DS down (he's 9 months) and another little friend came up and touched him on his head to say hi (the other friend is 12months). The mom snapped at the child and said, 'Hey, Don't touch him'. Before I knew it I was looking at her like she was crazy and said, 'That's not okay' (LOL) I said this is a daycare and he is surrounded by kids who want to play with him and this is how they learn and interact by touching toys, objects, etc. If he's going to be in daycare he's going to be touched, he's going to fall every once in a while, he's going to get messy (I encourage it), and unfortunately, he's going to get sick. If this is too much for you maybe this isn't the right place for you to put him.' She apologized and said she's not real good with kids and then she left in a hurry.

At this point I'm ready to term care. I will try to deal with difficult parents but when you come in and start snapping at my other children...I'm done. I'm going to talk with her again tomorrow, please keep me in your prayers. The child loves it here and if she could just relax I think she would too so I don't want to be harsh. But she can't snap at my other kids like that.

I'll keep you posted! Thanks!

[kimmills]

I agree with what cheerfuldom has said. Get a one on one meeting with her and discuss this. She most certainly looks like suffering from OCD. But you can't afford to have that affect others, can you? Let her know that the others are a little nervous about her behavior, attitude whatever. Don't see it making much difference but you can try. She can't have her baby wrapped in cotton wool all his life.

[Familycare71]

Thank you all for your comments. All the information was very helpful and here is the latest.

After thinking about it and discussing it with other workers we came to the conclusion that she we don't think she is OCD. She has no problem buzzing in when she is dropping off. It is only when she is picking up that we are having these issues. I DO think she has some control issues and her impending divorce and life changes may be bringing these issues out more strongly than normal. At any rate, it is something that I have decided to address.

Today during drop off she came in and put her DS down (he's 9 months) and another little friend came up and touched him on his head to say hi (the other friend is 12months). The mom snapped at the child and said, 'Hey, Don't touch him'. Before I knew it I was looking at her like she was crazy and said, 'That's not okay' (LOL) I said this is a daycare and he is surrounded by kids who want to play with him and this is how they learn and interact by touching toys, objects, etc. If he's going to be in daycare he's going to be touched, he's going to fall every once in a while, he's going to get messy (I encourage it), and unfortunately, he's going to get sick. If this is too much for you maybe this isn't the right place for you to put him.' She apologized and said she's not real good with kids and then she left in a hurry.

At this point I'm ready to term care. I will try to deal with difficult parents but when you come in and start snapping at my other children...I'm done. I'm going to talk with her again tomorrow, please keep me in your prayers. The child loves it here and if she could just relax I think she would too so I don't want to be harsh. But she can't snap at my other kids like that.

I'll keep you posted! Thanks!

Prayers!! Hope it goes well!

[countrymom]

thanks for the update. Sounds to me that you may have to term. Too many red flags with this one. Doesnt matter if she is ocd or not, you have rules in place that need to be followed by EVERYONE. If she was worried about touching the buzzard then use gloves or kleenex to touch it.

I as a parent would be worried about someone sitting in the driveway/parklot for up to 40 min. at a time and then running and dashing would make me worried. Thats not normal.

divorce or not, she can't bring her issues to daycare and subject it onto others.

[Willow]

Some people really do just stink with kids.

If I were you I'd lay out your expectations (like not snapping at other children, not loitering in the parking lot and that she gain an understanding about him being touched and played with) and then give her a chance to adjust.

Not all parents "get it" and some need help to learn the ropes.

Indeed some are just plain nasty with no desire to get with the proverbial program but others simply don't understand how offputting they truly are. It you want to term, term. But to me this mom sounds incredibly naive/ignorant more so than malicious.