What Is A "Golden" Parent

[Blackcat31]

Tell me your definition of a "golden parent"

Please do NOT include obvious descriptions/answers such as:

• Pays on time
• Picks up and drops off on time
  
• or use a blanket description of "follows my policies".

I am looking for YOUR definition of a golden parent in the context of your child care.

Each of us has different methods of doing this job as well as different reasons for getting into and staying in (or leaving) this job so there has to be just as many different perspectives/answers as to what a golden parent is.

So what is a "golden" parent to YOU.

[daycare]

the one who does not think that their time is more important than mine.

the ones who don't bark when I close for a day.

the one who values my suggestions and opinions regarding their child

the ones who participate in our classes, reads to their child

the ones who discipline their children not for their own sake, but for the sake of others too.

the ones who ALWAYS ask, not tell you what they need from you

The ones who don't request and expect special

the ones who actually say more than GOOD MORNING

The ones who don't leave their kids in my care from open to close so they can hand out at the mall or happy hour

The ones who don't call me a babysitter

The ones who ask me for advise on their child

the ones who never question my doing

The ones who think of me as not only a teacher in their child's life, but as an extended member of their family.

the ones who write me a note just to say thank you

The ones that don't lie to me about their child's health

The ones that treat me like a HUMAN and not a robot''

I could go on for days........some of these are obvious ones

[lovemykidstoo]

A golden parent to me is someone that appreciates me and what I do for their children. A simple thank you is what I appreciate most. One that if I need to leave early to see one of my kids' sporting events says oh no problem, hope they win or hope they do well. Actually cares about me and my family. I have really been lucky with my parents I have to say.

[Shell]

Yes, all of the above! My golden families care about me as a person, listen to concerns, really take their kids to the doctor when I think something is off (not just when they are sent home for vomit, fever, etc). My golden families send referrals my way because they know how hard it is to find good care. They even get me a card or gift for my birthday- not that I expect it, but it sure is sweet. And the best was last week- I don't charge for my days off- but my golden family said they would pay for one of the days because they said I deserve it

[llpa]

I have one family who always asks me "how can we integrate what you are doing with dcb during his day at home? What can we do to support/help you"... I love that and they have been consistently like that since they started. They get that it's about their child's welfare, not theirs or mine

[KidGrind]

Golden Parents are individuals who do not engage in a power struggle or pettiness. Their only concern is their child(ren) is receiving quality care. They show interest in how their child(ren) is developing & evolving. They offer viable suggestions with consideration for group care to help their children thrive. They listen to my observations with an open mind. They praise their children if it’s positive and try to correct them if it’s negative.

[Magic]

the " Golden Parent"

the one who ALWAYS PUTS THIER CHILD FIRST

puts them before the new boyfreind / girlfriend
the one who teaches compassion, love and respect
who creats a life style that is safe, committed and about families

no parent is perfect ..but life can be golden ..

[SignMeUp]

Also the ones who care about all of the children in care. They know their names, their likes and dislikes, even though they never make a big deal of interrogating the kids. They just observe, because they care.

And they understand that I am juggling the needs of individual children with the needs of the group. Much like families with three or more children do.

[KiddieCahoots]

The parents that practice empathy and respect for others, and instill the same in their children.

[Josiegirl]

All good points already
I want to add:
They actually read and respond to newsletters and/or daily notes.
They actually bring their child's artwork home and make a big deal of it so it makes their child proud.
They'd rather listen to their child talk about their day than most anything else. They respect my closing time and if they happen to run late they apologize. It's amazing how far respect and apologies will get them.
They don't take me or my business or my hard work for granted.
They pay me when I take a day off(even though it's not required so I usually don't).
When they have a day off they spend it with their child.
They have a sense of humor and know their child isn't perfect.
They're not afraid to be a parent in front of me or any other time either.
They're thoughtful and bring in goodies or snacks for the kids once in awhile.
And last, but not least, they never ever say(in front of their child no less!!) I should have just gotten a dog instead.

[spinnymarie]

For me, the golden parents are the ones who are already raising their children in the same way that I did, similar techniques, values, sometimes I even hear them use the same saying to their children that I would use, without having discussed it. It makes raising their children SO easy, because they have already done what I would've done, and they are always happy with what I am doing

[Sugar Magnolia]

A golden parent is one who teaches their child kindness, tolerance and empathy, by example. I could name at least a dozen more, basically everything daycare just listed above, but this would be my top answer.

[Lynn825]

the one who does not think that their time is more important than mine.

the ones who don't bark when I close for a day.

the one who values my suggestions and opinions regarding their child

the ones who participate in our classes, reads to their child

the ones who discipline their children not for their own sake, but for the sake of others too.

the ones who ALWAYS ask, not tell you what they need from you

The ones who don't request and expect special

the ones who actually say more than GOOD MORNING

The ones who don't leave their kids in my care from open to close so they can hand out at the mall or happy hour

The ones who don't call me a babysitter

The ones who ask me for advise on their child

the ones who never question my doing

The ones who think of me as not only a teacher in their child's life, but as an extended member of their family.

the ones who write me a note just to say thank you

The ones that don't lie to me about their child's health

The ones that treat me like a HUMAN and not a robot''

I could go on for days........some of these are obvious ones

[CraftyMom]

What everyone else said!

I would just add the ones that I don't have to constantly remind, except occasionally, for any reason. They stay on top of their child's belongings without needing to be told I need more diapers, etc. They take a genuine interest in their child and how their day was. They occasionally bring goodies for the other kids (asking me first of course) They appreciate.

[kendallina]

I love the parents that just "get it". They understand that what I do is not all fun and games, they respect me as a professional and they go around town talking up my program! Because of these parents, I no longer have to advertise, I'm always full and I know I'm appreciated.