Families Not Prepared For Attending Daycare

[My3cents]

Yes, you're absolutely right. Sounds like it wouldn't work in your situation. My group are 5 to 10 right now.

They are not allowed to remove their cup from the area... just stand there, take their drink, and then put it down. When I have younger ones, they use lid cups. All cups are placed in the exact same spot every single time. They have the cup for that whole day, then a clean one the next day. And no, their OWN germs are not harmful to them .

I don't know if I agree with their own germs are not harmful to them. Have you ever left a cup out over night and then look to find what is growing in it? Even water- It is from the back up of what is the mouth and floating around your enviroment. I agree with you about having water available at all times, but not left out and not to graze on, same with food. If a child is thirsty and ask, then great. I will offer them water.

[My3cents]

I've been thinking more about this water issue, so I looked it up on a couple sites.

http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442470651

and

http://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/kids-teens/choose-water-as-a-drink-kids.aspx

They suggest 1 liter of water per day for 4 to 8 year olds. That's two of those 16.9 ounce bottled waters you buy at the store.

I would estimate that during the time they are at my house on a no-school day, they probably drink equivalent to one of this size bottled water. (Some days more, some days less.)

They are here anywhere from 8 to 10 hours, and they are at home (awake) about 4 or 5 hours. So I have them DOUBLE the time their parents do, but they only drink HALF of what is recommended for their bodies.

I read on here all the time that certain providers insist on serving only organic foods, only homemade meals, only healthy foods, no sugary snacks, veggies at every lunch, etc., etc. They do this because it's what's healthy for the kids. They do this because many (let's face it -- MOST) of the kids are not fed in a healthy manner at home. They insist on this for the kids' sake. It's what's best FOR THE KIDS. They wouldn't have it any other way.

So what I can't figure out is, if some of you are willing to take the extra time and cost to provide this, even if the parents don't, then I can't reconcile why the next logical step wouldn't be to encourage the water that is also so important for good health and well-being.

Disclaimers:

*Don't yell at me.
*I'm not criticizing in the least.
*I'm just bringing up a topic that strikes my interest at the moment.
*I welcome and respect any thoughts that are different than mine.
*I acknowledge that I currently have ages 5-10, and that most of you have youngers. But I provide all-day-available sippies for youngers too, when I have them.
*No, they don't walk around with water. It stays put, but is always available.
*I acknowledge that the posters above who say that water is only for snack time may or may not be the same as the organic/homemade/healthy-only lunch people, but I brought that up because it's what I read on here a lot, and I couldn't reconcile that with not encouraging water.
*This is just a talking point. I don't claim it to be THE perfect answer by any means.
*Don't yell at me.
*I acknowledge that I said 'don't yell at me' twice.

LOL who is yelling at you on the playground?

I think big name water bottling companies over push the need for water. Too much of anything is not good for a person. There is a push for drinking water and it makes me wonder why.......$ is the bottom line answer for this.

I personally listen to my own body and go from there.

Thanks for posting a different view it has been good reading even if I don't agree with you 100%- It's all good~

[My3cents]

Nooooooooo I'm sure they wouldn't have been offended.

But I would have said very seriously "duh, it's three scoops of formula for every two ounces of water" and then watch them

::

If parents only knew what went through my head most of the time!!!lovethis

[My3cents]

well I have to say after reading through this thread I'm glad its not just me. I feel like I am so old saying "parents today" - I'm "only" 40. But its so true, in the last 5 years or so the dynamics of parents have changed so much. The not saying "no" to kids is the worst. I had a parent who's child had a meltdown in my driveway because I didn't put a sticker on his daily sheet that day - wouldn't you know the very next day she bought a pack of stickers to keep in her car for him. REALLY? How about just telling your child no, that you can't expect something every single day, when you get one its a treat?? Now I just stopped doing it entirely.

I think I remember you mentioning this a while ago!:::confused:

[Rockgirl]

I don't know if parents are cheap, or just financially burdened by the times. I think many parents are just looking to save money any way they can- Takes two parents working to make ends meet.

I think of my own self- grocery shopping four bags and over a hundred dollars, and those bags are not full.

Cell phone bill- phone used to cost about ten a month, now we are talking hundreds

Taxes always going up

Mortgage, car payment.

Heat ...... its a killer and we are still colder then we should be at our home.

Electric

credit cards

health coverage

schooling

misc.

wages don't go up enough to cover the cost of everything else going up

I am not whining, but just saying most people are just looking to make it these days. You would think that childcare would be a # 1 or right up there, we are taking care of the most valuable asset.

Negotiating fee's is not an option. I have to be able to make it too.

I agree that things are more expensive, but I believe the definition of "making ends meet" has changed dramatically. What used to be a luxury is now considered a necessity. Young couples expect to start out in a home as big & nice as the one their parents worked 30 years for. They need the big SUV to haul their kids around to the $$$ activities they're involved in. Now, I'm not saying this is true for everyone, but I'm seeing it more and more.

[My3cents]

I have a good one about "parents today"

I have a family who's cat died in late September/early October. Passed away while child was in care.

Parents are choosing to NOT tell the child because they don't want the child to be upset. Child is 3.5 yrs old.

So when the child asks about the cat, where is the cat etc...they say "Oh, I don't know. He must be outside chasing mice or something. He'll probably come in later on." ANYTHING to redirect and deflect.

Then the mom tells me that they are even keeping the cat's food and water dish out so the kid doesn't catch on.

I'm sorry but :: :: :: :: ::

I had a parent stop by to tell the child that someone else would be picking the child up to prep the child

[Patches]

::

I told my DD that her fish died because she didn't clean her room. (She was probably 6.)

Now she has kind of an OCD about her room being clean.... Ooopsie

Yeah about the cat....I heard that pets dying in early childhood is THE BEST thing that can happen so you can teach your child about death so when it happens to a grandparent or something they have already built somewhat of a grasp about the subject.

:::: That is so funny.
A little OT, but when I was a kid, I had a goldfish and one evening it died. I had to go to my girl scout meeting pretty soon and I got myself together and went and was having fun. Well, during the meeting, we always had a snack and I remember the snack helper putting it in front of me and looking down and yep, it was goldfish crackers So of course, I immediately started crying and my troop leader asked me what was wrong and I said "my goldfish died" and she said, "oh, no, no honey, these aren't REAL fish" ::::

[Angelsj]

::

I told my DD that her fish died because she didn't clean her room. (She was probably 6.)

Now she has kind of an OCD about her room being clean.... Ooopsie

Ok, seriously, you have GOT to warn people about these!! ::::::
We need a "just spewed tea all over my screen" smilie!

[Lucy]

I thought it was not good to use sippy cups that late, has to do with teeth alignment. I get my kids on a regular cup as soon as possible......so much easier and better for them

Yes, absolutely. At the table for snacks and meals, they use a regular cup. I said sippy cup out of habit. I use those cups with lids where you slide back a covering over the hole where the water comes out. (Did that make sense? .. similar to an insulated travel mug I guess.)

[Lucy]

I don't know if I agree with their own germs are not harmful to them. Have you ever left a cup out over night and then look to find what is growing in it? Even water- It is from the back up of what is the mouth and floating around your enviroment. I agree with you about having water available at all times, but not left out and not to graze on, same with food. If a child is thirsty and ask, then great. I will offer them water.

Ewww... no I haven't done that LOL!

I dump and refill if it's been awhile. Clean water, ladies!! Trust me.

So anyway, I'm pretty much done here. I'm water-logged. ::::::

ETA: ...except for the next posting. Guess I lied... hee hee hee

[Lucy]

LOL who is yelling at you on the playground?

Huh? I'm slow tonight... What am I missing??

I think big name water bottling companies over push the need for water. Too much of anything is not good for a person. There is a push for drinking water and it makes me wonder why.......$ is the bottom line answer for this.

I agree, but I think my articles were from sources related to healthy living, and not sponsored by bottled water manufacturers. Could be wrong....

I personally listen to my own body and go from there.

I got to thinking... the varying opinions on this topic might be because a lot of people just aren't water drinkers by nature. My husband and my mother HATE drinking water. My mom's doctor said her blood test showed enzymes (sorry, I don't understand it fully) which show she could be heading toward kidney failure, and asked how much she drinks. I said barely anything (because I take care of her - she has Alzheimer's) and he said bingo. My husband's pee is like dark beer. Yuck. He's been warned too. Me? I LOVE water. Drink it all day long. So maybe that's where my mindset for the kids comes from.

Thanks for posting a different view it has been good reading even if I don't agree with you 100%- It's all good~

Well, I'm used to it. I find that I do things way differently than most people on here. I was surprised to come to that realization, but I've been on here for a few years now, and it has sunk in.... I'm a misfit, LOL!! And yes -- it's all good!

My responses above

[renodeb]

I have to say that I have had all kinds of kids. Lately its been the child rules the roost. DOnt want to nap ta home, ok parent gets them up. I have one parent who doesnt want to wean her child off the bottle because she doesnt want to put the time in on it or hear the whinning. I could go on and on!
Deb

[Crazy8]

I have to say that I have had all kinds of kids. Lately its been the child rules the roost. DOnt want to nap ta home, ok parent gets them up. I have one parent who doesnt want to wean her child off the bottle because she doesnt want to put the time in on it or hear the whinning. I could go on and on!
Deb

Oh, and potty training... My policy has always been start over vacation/long weekend and really dedicate your time to training - stay home, no trips to the mall or day at the beach, etc. Its worked for well over 10 yrs, children come in 5-6 days later very well on their way to being fully trained. Until the last year or two.... now parents are too busy and look at you like you have 3 heads if you suggest they stay home with their child for a few days. One (first time) parent told me she needed to buy an online program on how to potty train cause she needed something "more concrete" to follow than my tips/method. Another spent one 3 day weekend "trying" and said it didn't work and now is putting him in a chain preschool because that will help him potty train (yes, thats one of their reasons!). Since I won't do it for them they think a center will (and sad part is they probably will).