Gifts Problem Families/Children

[Great Beginnings]

So I see that a lot of you give out gifts as the children are heading out the door. And there are always those kids that take the week off from work so you don't have their children.

My question is; if you have a problem family with repeated lack of respect for you or children that are such a problem but you cant term, do you get them gifts if you know they wont be in care? Or do you maybe spend less on them then the others? This was a debate between another provider and I so I'm curious to what the majority think!

[sharlan]

I spend about $20 per child regardless of how I feel about them or the family.

[thetoddlerwhisper]

i try to be equal at christmas and buy in bulk.but for birthdays i favor others more!

[JoseyJo]

I always pick out special gifts for each child but I spend the same amount on each. This year- I am giving a box of legos to one dcb, lalaloopsy to my dcg, sticker books to my 2 yo dcb- they will all love them and they are specific to their interests.

I am going to give dcb who is a total terror and whose parents are totally disrespectful, who always has the best of everything and brings in and brags every day even though we don't allow toys- preschool workbooks (ya know because he LOVES to learn at home, he's just a terror during preschool time for me because I must be doing something wrong) ::

AND dcb who doesn't ever get new clothing even though big sis has a wardrobe to make a grown woman cry - I'm gonna give him socks! (he will love them, they are his favorite character )

[Blackcat31]

So I see that a lot of you give out gifts as the children are heading out the door. And there are always those kids that take the week off from work so you don't have their children.

My question is; if you have a problem family with repeated lack of respect for you or children that are such a problem but you cant term, do you get them gifts if you know they wont be in care? Or do you maybe spend less on them then the others? This was a debate between another provider and I so I'm curious to what the majority think!

For other reasons as well as to avoid situations like that ^^, I simply don't give gifts to DCK's or parents.

The kids do lots of fun holiday crafts and activities and we also have a charity drive but the always inevitable forgotten gift participant or absent kid makes buying gifts for the kids too stressful and difficult so I just skip it and do other things instead.

[Maria2013]

I buy the same for everyone, then again I only work for families that I get along with fine

[Great Beginnings]

I am going to give dcb who is a total terror and whose parents are totally disrespectful, who always has the best of everything and brings in and brags every day even though we don't allow toys- preschool workbooks (ya know because he LOVES to learn at home, he's just a terror during preschool time for me because I must be doing something wrong) ::

Lol!! That is too funny and such a great idea!! ::

[Angelsj]

I give books to all children. One book per kid, usually given at their last day before Christmas, or there about. I do try to hit their interests, but I also love to give classics that my kids loved, but many kids don't know.

[Happily_wed]

I buy for all children in my care. I spend approximately the same amount but buy a gift based on their current likes. This year 4 year old dcg is into Batman and told me she wanted a Batman toy so that is what she got. 6 yr old loves art and crafting so she got a big Hello Kitty art set.

[EchoMom]

I also do not buy any presents for parents or kids at Christmas. We do plenty of take home crafts etc. butno gift. I do not feel like it's my job to buy the kids a toy at all. When I buy them toys they are for daycare to play with here. No way am I spending money for them to have a toy at home. I want the benefit of a new toy here.

[melskids]

I used to go all out for my kids until one 9 yr old girl handed me her present back and said "I don't want this dollar store ****".

It WASNT $ store stuff, and from then on, I stopped buying gifts for them all. It kind of ruined it for me.

They all get a free scholastic book I get with my points.

[daycarediva]

This is the LAST year I will buy gifts for dcks. I will buy them a book (because some of them don't have any, or only a very few) but that's IT.

Today was our Christmas party, and I am OVER IT. I had one dcb scream and throw a MASSIVE tantrum because other dcb got a bigger car than him (same exact toy in different colors).

DCG said "I want something else."

I spent $25 per kid, x 8 kids. Next year, I'm taking myself to get dinner and have a few glasses of wine! ::

[Laurel]

This is the LAST year I will buy gifts for dcks. I will buy them a book (because some of them don't have any, or only a very few) but that's IT.

Today was our Christmas party, and I am OVER IT. I had one dcb scream and throw a MASSIVE tantrum because other dcb got a bigger car than him (same exact toy in different colors).

DCG said "I want something else."

I spent $25 per kid, x 8 kids. Next year, I'm taking myself to get dinner and have a few glasses of wine! ::

I would have been tempted to tell tantrum boy if he didn't want it fine that I'd take it. Then I'd give it to DCG who wanted something else. Problem solved!!! ::

Laurel

[Moppetland]

I do buy gifts for my DC kids, but not the parents. They seem to be grateful to me just buying for their DCB or G, but I do get gifts from the DC parents.

I always give books at Christmas time, along with an outfit because most of my children are from low income homes. When they come to my care, they barely have the right amount of clothing or the wrong size clothing. Children their ages, you can find nice clothing for very discounted prices. I never buy toys. They will get those eventually from their own parents or someone else in their families.

[Laurel]

I do buy gifts for my DC kids, but not the parents. They seem to be grateful to me just buying for their DCB or G, but I do get gifts from the DC parents.

I always give books at Christmas time, along with an outfit because most of my children are from low income homes. When they come to my care, they barely have the right amount of clothing or the wrong size clothing. Children their ages, you can find nice clothing for very discounted prices. I never buy toys. They will get those eventually from their own parents or someone else in their families.

Your post reminds me of a teacher my granddaughter had in kindergarten. The school was in a low income area and she gave each child a sweatshirt for a gift. We are in S. Florida so that is all they really need when it gets chilly. I thought that was so neat. She probably looks out for them all year and finds deals.

Laurel