Maybe I'm Reading Too Much into This

[DaisyMamma]

New DCF.
They are new to the area.
I have had a field trip planned to the local zoo (about half hr drive) for a while. DCF got this info in spring newsletter, with the date.

Last week dcm says they MIGHT not come next wed. (I dont mention it, and neither does she, but thats our sched trip date). She didnt offer an explanation.
So today she picks up the kids and asks them, do you want to go to the zoo now!?
It kind of made me mad.
Before they leave I ask if they are coming tomorrow. She says yes. Again neither of us mentions my scheduled field trip.

I now intend on splitting my group. My assistant can stay home with the babies and those 2 kids and I will take the older kids. There is no sense on stressing myself and assistant with having babies there and if those kids already went today then why bother bringing the extra kids!

[sharlan]

So you're going to punish the kids because Mom took them to the zoo today? That doesn't seem quite right to me.

I would just go to the zoo as planned.

[SilverSabre25]

go to the zoo as planned. let those kids go. why does it matter?

[SquirrellyMama]

Maybe mom wanted to take the kids before someone else did. I think some parents get a little jealous of the things we do with their kids.

Kelly

[Blackcat31]

New DCF.
They are new to the area.
I have had a field trip planned to the local zoo (about half hr drive) for a while. DCF got this info in spring newsletter, with the date.

Last week dcm says they MIGHT not come next wed. (I dont mention it, and neither does she, but thats our sched trip date). She didnt offer an explanation.
So today she picks up the kids and asks them, do you want to go to the zoo now!?
It kind of made me mad.
Before they leave I ask if they are coming tomorrow. She says yes. Again neither of us mentions my scheduled field trip.

I now intend on splitting my group. My assistant can stay home with the babies and those 2 kids and I will take the older kids. There is no sense on stressing myself and assistant with having babies there and if those kids already went today then why bother bringing the extra kids!

If they are coming, why can't they go to the zoo too?

Were you not planning on having them tomorrow because of mom's comment about them possibly not coming?

I guess I am not understanding now why they won't be included?

If it is because mom said she was taking them to the zoo today and you don't think they would enjoy it two days in a row, I would have said something to mom when she made the comment. I would have reminded her you were taking a zoo field trip today and that she may want to skip it if she thinks her kids won't enjoy it twice.

[melilley]

Maybe she forgot that you were going to the zoo tomorrow for a field trip. Parents sometimes tend to do that.

I wouldn't punish the kids either, it's their moms fault.

[DaisyMamma]

So you're going to punish the kids because Mom took them to the zoo today? That doesn't seem quite right to me.

I would just go to the zoo as planned.

good point of view. They wouldnt even know we are going though.

and OP, because I also had two schedule changes this week and two extra kids now for tomorrow.
And because I feel that mom did it on purpose. She wanted to bring them there first. Which is fine, but why be weird about it. Just say so! Now Im worried it will be boring for them and they will misbehave.

[SignMeUp]

Maybe she just knew she heard that idea somewhere ::::::

[DaisyMamma]

Were you not planning on having them tomorrow because of mom's comment about them possibly not coming?.

yes. I scheduled two other kids. now we have to take an additional car. the thought of the whole trip now stresses me out and am considerinf cancelling all together.

[Blackcat31]

yes. I scheduled two other kids. now we have to take an additional car. the thought of the whole trip now stresses me out and am considerinf cancelling all together.

Oh okay... I see now.

I guess the first mistake then was not confirming with mom about whether or not they would be coming tomorrow.

Second mistake was not saying something to mom. (Even if she DID take them on purpose because you were already planning it). I would have said something to her about you planning to go the next day and that you don't want her kids to be bored or act up and if she was still planning on bringing them, then she should be prepared to come pick them up if they begin acting out while there.

Also good rule of thumb....have individual permission slips stating whether or not a child will or won't be attending a specific field trip. Have a deadline for submission of the permission slips and don't allow changes afterwards.

That way she would have HAD to commit already AND you would have been able to make plans without being this stressed.

I hate field trips... I am sure the kids love them but I hate the scheduling, juggling and other misc things they entail.

[DaisyMamma]

Oh okay... I see now.

I guess the first mistake then was not confirming with mom about whether or not they would be coming tomorrow.
absolutely
Second mistake was not saying something to mom. (Even if she DID take them on purpose because you were already planning it). I would have said something to her about you planning to go the next day and that you don't want her kids to be bored or act up and if she was still planning on bringing them, then she should be prepared to come pick them up if they begin acting out while there.
yes but i was totally dumfounded
Also good rule of thumb....have individual permission slips stating whether or not a child will or won't be attending a specific field trip. Have a deadline for submission of the permission slips and don't allow changes afterwards.

That way she would have HAD to commit already AND you would have been able to make plans without being this stressed.

I hate field trips... I am sure the kids love them but I hate the scheduling, juggling and other misc things they entail.

yep. lesson learned. oh well, I will survive....won't I?

[Blackcat31]

yep. lesson learned. oh well, I will survive....won't I?

You could always make it a crazy fun sugar filled day with NO naps and send them all home cranky and wired!

[DaisyMamma]

You could always make it a crazy fun sugar filled day with NO naps and send them all home cranky and wired!

I will.

The more I think about it the more I think she even made it a point to say it in front of me. I mean, why bother mentioning it? She asked them this in front of all my other dcks.
Under normal circumstances you just don't say that in front of a bunch of other kids.

[crazydaycarelady]

If they are new to the area maybe she felt uncomfortable with you taking a ton of kids there and wanted to see if it was a safe place or just with the animals in general and wanted to check it out herself first.

Really who cares? I wouldn't let what they do outside of daycare hours effect what you do during dc hours.