No More Only Children!

[deliberateliterate]

Don't take the criticism others are giving you too personally. All we know about you is what you wrote.

You could be a fantastic, patient daycare provider venting on a forum because you had a rough morning (as I'm sure you are and did). OR you could be an extremely stressed daycare provider venting on the forum because you're at the breaking point. We don't know!!!

You can just clarify the situation, and you'll get advice that's more relevant to what you're asking. Not that I think the advice given was bad, but just that you were looking for something different.

You're right, of course, just a bad day for criticism I guess. The advice that I got was great, and I thank everyone. It sounds like I should just keep on keeping on, with a few tweeks (sp??) thrown in, and I'll keep reminding myself that this is normal toddler behavior.

[blandino]

I'm the opposite. I absolute do not like sibling groups

Me too. There seems to be added conflict from the sibling relationship.

Most of my DCK are first and only children.

[deliberateliterate]

Me too. There seems to be added conflict from the sibling relationship.

Most of my DCK are first and only children.

The older ones aren't in my care (except occasionally during school breaks). They are all SA. I use to do BA for a set of siblings, and I agree with one. One of them was fine, but put them together and they use to feed off each other!

[KidGrind]

I'm the opposite. I absolute do not like sibling groups

I cannot provide care for siblings when there is a 3 year difference or more. Mommy’s little helper is provider’s huge liability. It’s hard to the get the older siblings to stop picking them up.

[crazydaycarelady]

I have not had time to read all of the responses BUT just wanted to add my 2cents. I take a little bit of offense at the only child statement. I am an only child but I also know plenty of others who are very nice individuals. Not having siblings does not make you a brat, the way you are parented determines that! Also at 19mos I think most kids are still only children (if they are the oldest!)

[Mom o Col]

I have not had time to read all of the responses BUT just wanted to add my 2cents. I take a little bit of offense at the only child statement. I am an only child but I also know plenty of others who are very nice individuals. Not having siblings does not make you a brat, the way you are parented determines that! Also at 19mos I think most kids are still only children (if they are the oldest!)

As a mom of an only child I say hooray to this. And I was thinking the same thing about kids the age OP mentioned still being only/first children if they don't have older siblings.

[Unregistered]

Sounds like typical toddler behavior, however, the second child that does not seem happy in your care...and you feeling frustrated. I would terminate care and replace, regardless if you are closing in the Fall or not.

This is a business first and foremost. If one child is making your days crazy and you are dreading it, then don't hesitate to terminate and replace. And don't feel bad if you do replace and end of closing your daycare. You need to think of yourself and your business first. Do you honestly thing for a nanosecond that clients think of our "feelings" or "needs" if they have to pull their children out of our care for whatever reason (moving, loss of job, maternity leave, etc.)

Go with your gut. Good luck.

[TwinKristi]

I'm sorry you're having a rough day. :hug:

I think, like the others, that this is typical 19 month behavior. I have 2 of them in my care and had 3 last year who turned 2. It was not fun, it was like constant fighting and whining with my DS and a DCB who was 2mos younger, also he wasn't an only child and had a sibling 2.5yrs older. It was just constant!! I started to really get frustrated and angry, but then the DCB left and things calmed down TREMENDOUSLY!! Taking that one problem child out of the equation made a world of difference. I filled the spot after a few hairy months and it's been smooth sailing. My 2.5yr old is the trouble-maker now and he's the youngest of 6 so it's not an "only child" issue! LOL

It's hard to let someone go but when you're miserable and unhappy and losing your temper you need to step back and reevaluate your plan. Is losing your sanity worth the income? Especially if you could find a better fit?

[deliberateliterate]

As a mom of an only child I say hooray to this. And I was thinking the same thing about kids the age OP mentioned still being only/first children if they don't have older siblings.

I'm sorry that I offended you both, that was not my intent. Of course I don't think that all only children are brats. I was being facetious, as I would never think to, nor want to 'ban' only children from my care. In my very limited experience, all of my onlys have been handfuls. It's probably just a coincidence, and I apologize.

[KiddieCahoots]

I'm sorry that I offended you both, that was not my intent. Of course I don't think that all only children are brats. I was being facetious, as I would never think to, nor want to 'ban' only children from my care. In my very limited experience, all of my onlys have been handfuls. It's probably just a coincidence, and I apologize.

I'm sorry your having a bad day.
On a different note.....
I'd like to happily Welcome you to the forum. :hug:

[crazydaycarelady]

Thanks deliberateliterate! I appreciate that! Handfuls come in all ages - for me right now it's the 2yos!

[jenn]

Hope you have a better day today! We had a great day yesterday, and now today I have a houseful of chaos! Little stinkers!
I have had a few that I just could not deal with. They caused undue stress daily (to me and the other kids) and I just couldn't take it. After I tried all of my strategies and didn't get anywhere, I had to term. Don't feel bad if it comes to that!