GoInG InSaNe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

[nikia]

So I just joined this group because I run a daycare and am about to lose my mind and after reading some of the other posts I realized Im not the only one who hates their jobs SOME days!!!!

I am really at a loss with almost all of my DC families. I have two families whose children have had lice 3 times. I have had to treat my house 3 times and inspect all of my families hair ( no Lice found ) I have families who dont pay when expected, families going through a divorce who want nothing to do with their children and give them no attention, this in turn makes my day hell because the child tries to get attention the wrong way here so lots of time outs. I am not sure when I cross a line or not about what I need to say to these families. Do I tell them to bathe their child more and check for lice all the time?? Do I tell the divorcing family to love their child more instead worring about dating??? All in all I love my daycare kids but it is taking such a toll on me, hubby and my kids. I feel like the parents dont want to be with their kids ever and its very sad and hard for me to see.

[marniewon]

I haven't had to deal with head lice in my daycare (yet), but if I did - I would treat it like any other illness. Send a note home to all families asap saying: As you know, head lice is extremely contagious and very hard to get rid of. To lessen the chances of it spreading through daycare, please check your child(ren)'s hair on a regular basis. I will be checking every child's hair for lice and/or nits on entering my daycare home. If lice and/or nits are found, the children of that family will not be allowed to attend daycare that day, and will not be able to attend until all signs of lice/nits are gone.

You could even include info from the health dept about how you get lice, how to get rid of it, etc.

My kids attended a summer program for years, and they checked heads every day, the kids couldn't go any farther than the line of counselors until they had their heads checked and got a "stamp" on their hand saying they were checked. The schools will do the same thing - if a child goes home because of lice, they check the child before allowing them back in.

When my dd was younger, she rode the bus to school, and there was a family (our neighbors) who kept getting lice. My dd got it. We did everything to get rid of it, but she kept getting it again. Turned out that neighbor girls sat next to her on the bus, and parents kept sending kids to school. Bus driver couldn't check heads, so the school did it, but by that time they "gave" it to my dd and other kids!! Very frustrating!

[nikia]

I did do that this last time with the notes and checking them when they walked in the door. It is so tiring checking these kids though when their parents should be treating them and taking care of the problem. I just dont understand some people. I never thought about sending home information from the health department Thank you for that idea.

I had parent drop off in the morning then in the evening the other parent come and tell me that she had nits and would be treated that night. WOW thanks for the heads up this was the very first time so I had no way of knowing I needed to be checking their heads. DUMB ME I guess

[kendallina]

I'm sorry to hear things are so tough right now. I agree with previous poster that the children's heads need to be checked daily for lice if it's an ongoing problem. And by checked daily, they must be checked with mom or dad still present so that they can take them back home if lice or nits are found. Make sure that you educate yourself as well on how to spot lice, how to treat it and how it's gotten. Giving a bath, as you say, will not get rid of lice. There are shampoo treatments that the family must do. All bedding, pillows, stuffed animals, etc must be washed. This does NOT mean that the family is dirty or not staying clean, it's probably more a matter of not getting rid of all the lice/nits when their child has lice, so that the child gets re-infected.

And, ugh...as far as the families that seem to not want to care for their children...yes, I have seen this and it's awful! It's so hard to see this. When there is a family like this, I try extra hard to make sure that I am giving that child positive attention while they are with me and also pointing out all the great things that their child is doing throughout the day to mom and dad. Help them see their child's strengths and the wonderful things about their child.

For families that do not pay on time, do you have a contract? Is there anything in there about needing to pay by a certain day or they will be charged a late fee? If not, add it now and ENFORCE it. If you don't enforce these rules parents will break them constantly. You should never feel bad about enforcing rules in the contract. After all, the parents signed the contract upon enrolling and they need to be held responsible.

Good luck, I hope you stick around these forums, there are some great people here with lots of good info.

[Blackcat31]

Just keep checking in! I have been on this forum for only a short time but I have learned ALOT!!!! It is also just comforting to know we are not alone. Other providers have such wonderful perspectives on things that it is truly amazing how many different solutions to problems out there! Keep reading, adding your two cents and above all...keep learning! This is a wonderful place to see all, hear all and learn all!

[nikia]

Thank you so much for the info. I do have a contract about paying late and I have not enforced it very well. I am a wimp I try my best to give the children who are going through a hard time extra compliments and love but there are days where they do nothing and I mean nothing nice. Hit, Bite, tease one day spit on me. I talk to the mom and her response is oh hmmmm darn well what should I do.

With the lice I feel like the parents have not treated them with the shampoo and I have considered treating them myself, but what good will that do when their own home isnt treated. For now its a week lice free, I pray this continues!!!!!!!!!!!

[kendallina]

It's hard to enforce the rules, and I totally hear you on that- much easier said then done.

Also, if you're not getting the support from the parents that you need (regarding negative child behaviors), then you do not have to keep that family as clients. It is always within your right to terminate care if it's not working (obviously, if you can afford to lose the income). I am not a big proponent of termination, but if it's not working out and you are so stressed that you are unable to enjoy your job, I think it's okay to move on and try to find another family.

Best of luck to you...

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

I know your frustration, I have had 3 families I had to weed out since starting daycare 1 1/2 years ago. It can be very emotional, I never thought it would be so stressful

I finally have 3 awesome families (having trouble with one of the 2 year old boys' behavior but his mom is sympathetic and at least shows concern for her sons actions).

Having kids come with lice several times would give me the creeps...I know anyone can get it, but to keep getting it I would think they are not cleaning properly?? I don't know how hard it is to get rid of...2 months ago my 7 year old daughter was sent home, the nurse told me she had several lice nits in her hair..I inspected her and seen nothing, as well as 2 hairdressers I know...I didn't treat her, I kept looking and then bought this Robi Comb thing that detects lice...she never had it! I don't know what that loopy nurse seen. But it gave me the heebie jeebies for a while. It's a lot of work to do all that laundry with 4 girls of my own.

I know it's hard to let families go, but if they get too stressful, you may have to do some weeding out to get the good families aboard.

[nikia]

There are days when I feel I need to weed everyone and start all over but money wise not a wise idea. Like yesterday my children get home from school at 3:20 as do the older siblings of a younger child I have in care. Mind you the SA children are not under contract here, I have no information for them was not supposed to be taking care of them. One day I said I would watch the SA for an hour after school, well I guess that meant to the parents I would do it whenever they needed me to. So yesterday my kids get home after car pool drops them off and then 5 mins later the SA children walk in my home. No call from the parents asking or anything. I didnt realize how many people out in the world are rude and disrespectful. I thought I would be teaching children and loving them not teaching parents common sense and good manners. AHHH Oh well......... I have talked to these parents about this before, but these are the same parents that have forgotten to pick up their preschool child multiple times from school only to have the school call me to see if I can get her. WOW is all I can think of for some of the parents in the world. Maybe its just the town I live in LOL

[nikia]

I didn't treat her, I kept looking and then bought this Robi Comb thing that detects lice...

Okay were did you fine the Robi comb thing, I may have to invest in one and put it to everyones head as the walk in the door ::