What Is A "Golden" Parent

[lynne]

Yup, what everyone else has said, I love my kids and their parents! They are always thanking me for the care that I give to their children...And I always thank them for being such great parents!

[AmyKidsCo]

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

AND

• Never calls me a babysitter.
• Says "Thank you" at the end of the day.
• Shows appreciation with goodies - latte/muffin for me, toys/books for the playroom, chocolates for me when the baby is teething.
• Says "You deserve it" about my paid time off.
• Sends meds for sick/teething children.
• Remembers to send diapers, wipes, extra clothes.
• Communicates openly.

[Hunni Bee]

Normal people.

Parents who ask what they need to know while in your presence or shoot you an email, rather than call your director frantically five minutes after they leave.

Parents who talk to you and hold pleasant conversation, but don't hang about talking at your back for half an hour.

Parents whose children you don't have to discipline while they stare blankly.

Parents who don't blindly believe everything their kid says without talking to you.

Fathers who don't use the childrens restroom!!!

Parents who realize that you don't work for them, that you dont make at all what they think they're paying you, and you are probably one of the most important people they deal with in a day simply because you TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.

[melilley]

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.

This and everything else that was mentioned.
My golden parents are the parents who are involved in all ways with their children and respect me, my family, and the other children and parents here. Also, parents who actually thank you for all that you do.

[Unregistered]

Just wanted to say thank you for this thread. I am a parent and I want to support what's going on with my child while he's in care, I want to support his AWESOME caregivers, I want to be that parent that doesn't make you roll your eyes when you see me coming . . .

And you all have been at this a long time but I've only been a parent a little over a year, so it's good to see from your perspective where I'm "getting it" and where I need to improve. In particular it seems like it's a fine line between not talking to the provider enough (maybe missing some important information, either about what's going on at home or what's going on in care), and taking up too much of her time when I know she has other babies she needs to work with. My son is one of the last to arrive and one of the first to leave each day, so his caregivers have their hands full (literally) at both dropoff and pickup, and I always feel like I'm holding them up if I don't just get in and get out.

(tl;dr = I'm not always sure of myself but I really want him to thrive both in care and at home, so I appreciate this thread SO MUCH)

[NightOwl]

Just wanted to say thank you for this thread. I am a parent and I want to support what's going on with my child while he's in care, I want to support his AWESOME caregivers, I want to be that parent that doesn't make you roll your eyes when you see me coming . . .

And you all have been at this a long time but I've only been a parent a little over a year, so it's good to see from your perspective where I'm "getting it" and where I need to improve. In particular it seems like it's a fine line between not talking to the provider enough (maybe missing some important information, either about what's going on at home or what's going on in care), and taking up too much of her time when I know she has other babies she needs to work with. My son is one of the last to arrive and one of the first to leave each day, so his caregivers have their hands full (literally) at both dropoff and pickup, and I always feel like I'm holding them up if I don't just get in and get out.

(tl;dr = I'm not always sure of myself but I really want him to thrive both in care and at home, so I appreciate this thread SO MUCH)

We appreciate YOU!! You are a golden parent!!

[NightOwl]

I have golden parents so I'm gonna give some real life examples.

Just this morning, I received a 6am text message that said "go back to bed! Xxxx will be late today."

Dcd moved to Texas ahead of the rest of the family to start a new job, leaving the rest of the family here until the end of the school year. When the end of the year came, dcm told hubby she wasn't coming to Texas because with all her research, she couldn't find a "me" in Texas. So hubby quit the job and came home. I still have dcg.

When I had to call out for the very first time ever due to a horrible stomach virus that hit in the middle of the night, I was so afraid everyone would be angry. Instead, I got texts asking if I needed gatorade and crackers, someone to watch my child, etc.

I love these people. They have me spoiled.

[Jack Sprat]

I have one golden family. They are everything everyone has mentioned.

DCM's mother is a former provider. I think this is a lot of why they are so good! She gets it!

[Go play!]

When my son was diagnosed with autism 2 weeks ago, one of my parents told me she put her whole family on notice that they were going to be helping out because I should never have to worry about my son's doctors appts. GOLDEN!

[NightOwl]

When my son was diagnosed with autism 2 weeks ago, one of my parents told me she put her whole family on notice that they were going to be helping out because I should never have to worry about my son's doctors appts. GOLDEN!

I would've cried!

[Controlled Chaos]

When my son was diagnosed with autism 2 weeks ago, one of my parents told me she put her whole family on notice that they were going to be helping out because I should never have to worry about my son's doctors appts. GOLDEN!

I just cried reading yours!

I am blessed with some golden families.

They bring coffee or treats for me

Say thank you and have their children thank me too

One dcm gave me a gift card for birthday last week and she said the gift included her babysitting my 3 children so my husband and I can go out.

They care about other dck s and their parent

They spread the word, I am always full

[daycarediva]

Just wanted to say thank you for this thread. I am a parent and I want to support what's going on with my child while he's in care, I want to support his AWESOME caregivers, I want to be that parent that doesn't make you roll your eyes when you see me coming . . .

And you all have been at this a long time but I've only been a parent a little over a year, so it's good to see from your perspective where I'm "getting it" and where I need to improve. In particular it seems like it's a fine line between not talking to the provider enough (maybe missing some important information, either about what's going on at home or what's going on in care), and taking up too much of her time when I know she has other babies she needs to work with. My son is one of the last to arrive and one of the first to leave each day, so his caregivers have their hands full (literally) at both dropoff and pickup, and I always feel like I'm holding them up if I don't just get in and get out.

(tl;dr = I'm not always sure of myself but I really want him to thrive both in care and at home, so I appreciate this thread SO MUCH)

happyface THIS type of parent makes my job SOOOO much easier.


I second what everyone else has said.

I'll add:

-No helicopter parents. JUST NO. I would give up a daily latte and scone if Susie's Mom wouldn't call me at 8p frantic because there is a 4mm scratch on Susie's foot.

-being honest at interview and throughout our relationship.

Don't lie and say Susie loves veggies when Susie hates veggies. "We are working on getting Susie to try new foods." Honest!

"We always keep him home if I even think he is getting sick." -definite dope and droppers.

"I love spending time with Junior! I spend every day off with him." -now that means kid will be in daycare open to close, no matter who is working and in all types of weather and be VERY annoyed about your holiday/s off that they claim they 'didn't know about'.

"I don't know where he got that from!" Yes, you're on my Facebook, YES I saw the HILARIOUS video of Junior swearing/peeing in the yard/hitting Daddy with a bat.

For me, a golden parent means a golden PARENT. A parent who values their child and spends as much time with them as they can. If they are decent parents (and people), I find the rest falls into place.

[Go play!]

I did cry. Actually, all of my parents have been amazing and the one I knew wasn't going to be, I let go before his evaluation. But her telling me that, was a shining moment in an emotional week.