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I have a 6mo DCG whose dad tries to micromanage her days with me. I've been doing this a long time, understand first-time parents and their craziness (
), and just go with the flow. DCD thinks she should have a schedule (one that works for him, mind you) that I never allow her to vary on. I believe in "baby-time," not rigid schedules for babies, but she does eat and nap fairly consistently so it hasn't been much of an issue. Ya know, I'm beating around the bush here. I will just say it: the guy is a Class A prick, and a lazy parent to boot. This is a family I whined about on here previously because the weekly rate was with the understanding she would be here no more than 3 days per week, but DCD was dropping her off unannounced on his Mondays.
So, that said, yesterday DCG had a whack-a-doodle day. She catnaps in the mornings, like about 20 min, which is fine (I think it's because she's generally in her crib from about 7:30pm-8:45/9:15am with only a 6am nursing by mama for interaction. I really don't think she's been active long enough with me to be really tired at 10am). Well, she didn't take that little nap in the morning, and did not fall asleep until 2:53!!! It was because one of my oldest clients hung out with us yesterday (a 22yo college girl on spring break-LOVE her and her 19yo sister's visits!) and she could hear me talking in the kitchen. Then by 3:15 all the DCKs were up and my SAs came home, so she only slept till about 3:30. Then I could not get her to take her bottle for anything. She drank about an ounce, but that was all. I was honest about all this on her little slip I send home.
So, DCD comes in this morning and tries to rip me a new one. I ruined their whole evening last night, blah, blah, blah. Questions me why she COULDN'T sleep, and basically insinuates that I am too lazy or impatient or busy and that was why she didn't take the bottle, and instructs me on how to feed her. Says he can't understand why because they have no trouble keeping her on this schedule at home. Tells me that tonight they are having a family picture taken, so I MUST keep to the schedule.
I was hopping mad. This guy really gets my hackles up. I think I know his true colors and what he is like to his wife behind closed doors. I've got your number, buddy, and I will not let you bully me! After his rant, I said to him:
If you have something important to do in the evening that hinges on DCG's entire day, then you should take the day off. What do you expect me to do, DCD? I can't FORCE her to eat or sleep, I can only provide her with the opportunity to do so. What you are suggesting (holding DCG firmly and "encourage" her to eat until the bottle is empty) is way, way, way against regulations and dangerous. Group care is completely different than being at home, which I'm sure you understand.
He then interrupts with "We have no problem in social situations either."
I don't think that's the same thing at all, but I was done talking to this *insert nasty word here*, so I didn't argue. I ended it with a very icy, "I will not FORCE her to eat or sleep. As always, I will continue to take good care of her, and do what's best for her and my group. Have a good day." And I walked away.
Will see what he has to say at pick-up. We may have words, after I've stewed about it all day.
), and just go with the flow. DCD thinks she should have a schedule (one that works for him, mind you) that I never allow her to vary on. I believe in "baby-time," not rigid schedules for babies, but she does eat and nap fairly consistently so it hasn't been much of an issue. Ya know, I'm beating around the bush here. I will just say it: the guy is a Class A prick, and a lazy parent to boot. This is a family I whined about on here previously because the weekly rate was with the understanding she would be here no more than 3 days per week, but DCD was dropping her off unannounced on his Mondays.So, that said, yesterday DCG had a whack-a-doodle day. She catnaps in the mornings, like about 20 min, which is fine (I think it's because she's generally in her crib from about 7:30pm-8:45/9:15am with only a 6am nursing by mama for interaction. I really don't think she's been active long enough with me to be really tired at 10am). Well, she didn't take that little nap in the morning, and did not fall asleep until 2:53!!! It was because one of my oldest clients hung out with us yesterday (a 22yo college girl on spring break-LOVE her and her 19yo sister's visits!) and she could hear me talking in the kitchen. Then by 3:15 all the DCKs were up and my SAs came home, so she only slept till about 3:30. Then I could not get her to take her bottle for anything. She drank about an ounce, but that was all. I was honest about all this on her little slip I send home.
So, DCD comes in this morning and tries to rip me a new one. I ruined their whole evening last night, blah, blah, blah. Questions me why she COULDN'T sleep, and basically insinuates that I am too lazy or impatient or busy and that was why she didn't take the bottle, and instructs me on how to feed her. Says he can't understand why because they have no trouble keeping her on this schedule at home. Tells me that tonight they are having a family picture taken, so I MUST keep to the schedule.
I was hopping mad. This guy really gets my hackles up. I think I know his true colors and what he is like to his wife behind closed doors. I've got your number, buddy, and I will not let you bully me! After his rant, I said to him:
If you have something important to do in the evening that hinges on DCG's entire day, then you should take the day off. What do you expect me to do, DCD? I can't FORCE her to eat or sleep, I can only provide her with the opportunity to do so. What you are suggesting (holding DCG firmly and "encourage" her to eat until the bottle is empty) is way, way, way against regulations and dangerous. Group care is completely different than being at home, which I'm sure you understand.
He then interrupts with "We have no problem in social situations either."
I don't think that's the same thing at all, but I was done talking to this *insert nasty word here*, so I didn't argue. I ended it with a very icy, "I will not FORCE her to eat or sleep. As always, I will continue to take good care of her, and do what's best for her and my group. Have a good day." And I walked away.
Will see what he has to say at pick-up. We may have words, after I've stewed about it all day.
not that a nanny can force a child to adhere to the exact same schedule daily either.
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