The Truth about the End of the Day.....

[MissAnn]

Parent texts that say "10 minutes" away are not to be believed.

Put the remainder of the kids at the table to draw, hoping they will talk to EACH OTHER but all you hear is your name.....over....and over....and over.....and.......

The last kid of the day doesn't want to go home....wants to run away from mom.....needs to she me something that is out in the car. Dad thinks it's cute......I'm tired and I could care less what new dinosaur you have.

I feel blah......but I'll put on my happy smile.....it's almost done.

This day needs to end.

[taylorw1210]

Right there with you, girl. Tomorrow is FRIDAY. happyface

[MissAnn]

The parent picking up will complain about what a long day it was........Hmmmmm yours was like 8.5 hours and mine was 10.5. I win!

The parent will also want to "talk" about things you could care less about.

He will leave....you will do your happy dance....and he will come back for the forgotten coat.

The day is done! I'm gonna go get Mexican food because today.....and probably every day....I deserve it!

[Crazy8]

ahhhh yes…. just a few minutes ago mom comes in 3 minutes late - then dcb needs to show her cars so she comes in playroom and bends down to look at them while I am standing by door holding coat out. What just happened here?? Finally 18 minutes later they are gone.

[Shell]

I hear that! I have two that most definitely are comings down with a cold...again. These two keep re- infecting the daycare. Anyway, it's funny how fast they packed up when I mentioned their symptoms :: I'm also beginning to notice how most of the parents are completely disinterested in hearing about their child's day...like talking to a wall.

[Kabob]

Yep. By the end of the day, my brain is so fried that I can barely comprehend what the parents are saying to me anyway...one parent said she was going to be picking up early tomorrow and when I didn't process what she said, she looked at me oddly and then repeated herself a little more slowly which then registered in my coffee-deprived brain which then gave her the happy response she was looking for...yeah...Friday...

[Leigh]

ahhhh yes…. just a few minutes ago mom comes in 3 minutes late - then dcb needs to show her cars so she comes in playroom and bends down to look at them while I am standing by door holding coat out. What just happened here?? Finally 18 minutes later they are gone.

I had one sit down to read her kid a book the other day at pickup time! I handed the book to Mom and told her to take it home and read it to him there and return it tomorrow! She looked at me like I was joking, but she did take it home.

[rosieteddy]

After 25 yrs in this bussiness I just about had it with end of day shennanigans.I started getting the children ready coats ,bags ect then cleared out the front foyer and set a bench and little plastic chairs out.All the kids leave at 5:30 so at 5:15 we go sit with a book.They are not to get off their chairs until mom or dad come in quick hello ,sticker and goodbye.This has made my life so much easier.It has worked for 4 yrs now.If someone goes home early parent knocks and I bring child to door.

[Soccermom]

I'm also beginning to notice how most of the parents are completely disinterested in hearing about their child's day...like talking to a wall.

This makes me so sad. I have a DCM who walks in and just starts complaining about her day and never even asks how her kids day was. I literally have to interrupt her to give any info I might have about HER kids. The other day DCG was so proud of a craft she had made that she ran to get it out of her bin to show DCM. She came running up to DCM and was saying - Look what I made Mommy! Over and over but DCM just kept talking about a client at work, completely ignoring this poor little girl that she had not seen for 10 hours..... It broke my heart. I had to say - Excuse me Mommy but your little one missed you and wants you to look at the craft she made for you.

I was thinking - Geez lady, get with it!! At least say hello to your kids! Also I had a VERY long day too and I don't get paid enough to pretend to be your psychologist every afternoon.

I honestly only have one DCM who actually asks and cares about how her little one's day was. I will often take pictures for her and send them through email so she can see what her DD is doing during the day, especially when we have special activities or outings. She will come early to help out when we have parties here too.

[Jazminsdaycare]

I missed my dd parents conference tonight because a parent was 30 minutes late, she will be paying the late fee but i have to reschedule this meeting and there are no more evenings left
so, I just don't get to go
I am getting tired of all of this
this has been the longest day ever
14 hours of work and I can't even be there for my daughter
bleh

[lovemykidstoo]

I HATE the end of the day bologna.

Yesterday, 2 kids from same family are the last ones here. I have somewhere to be, so I'm all ready to go. DCM comes in and puts shoes on almost 2 yr old. Then she puts shoes on 3 yr old. 3 yr old says nothing until his shoes are on (he can very well put them on himself, but she does it for him). After she puts them on, he takes them off, throwing fit because he wants to walk to car in barefeet. It's 40 degrees and raining. She argues with him for a minute and then says, fine, I'll take brother to the car and come back and get you. Seriously? So she goes out, puts the one kid in the car, comes back and carries 3 yr old out to the car with no shoes on. Seriously? UGH! I would have dragged that child out shoes or no shoes. Why do parents allow that behavior?

[Controlled Chaos]

After 25 yrs in this bussiness I just about had it with end of day shennanigans.I started getting the children ready coats ,bags ect then cleared out the front foyer and set a bench and little plastic chairs out.All the kids leave at 5:30 so at 5:15 we go sit with a book.They are not to get off their chairs until mom or dad come in quick hello ,sticker and goodbye.This has made my life so much easier.It has worked for 4 yrs now.If someone goes home early parent knocks and I bring child to door.

Excellent. I usually try to get them doing a quiet easy to clean activity at the end of the day, but books would be good. I worry, that parents would linger through a book or two if the child whined. Can you tell me more about your procedure with the sticker and getting them out the door? If you have something to tell the parent is it in the note or do you pause to tell them quickly?

[rosieteddy]

The sticker started because in the good daylight pickups the children started having fits about getting in car ect. I instituted a you get a sticker if you greet your parent.I taught them to say "Hi mommy=daddy how was your day".It worked beautifully.Then the time change and we were indoors I decided being ready was the best bet.Same thing greet your parent ,put your book to me get your sticker and go.All the children have a spot-chair,They are encouraged to say hello to their friends parents "say hello and go(meaning no rambling convos with someone elses parent).I give the parent a quick rundown of the day.Anything important is a note home.

[Childminder]

I do not want to hug and kiss your snot nosed child 10 times before you finally leave. I have spent all day trying to avoid the spread of her germs so please just wave as you head out the door.

[MissAnn]

I do not want to hug and kiss your snot nosed child 10 times before you finally leave. I have spent all day trying to avoid the spread of her germs so please just wave as you head out the door.

Exactly! The kids rarely hug me while parents are present yet the parents insist their kids hug me. Well, they don't want to....and it doesn't hurt my feelings....honest!

Oh, I did have one precious girl who had a routine....she would hug me.....step three steps away and run back to me. She would do this about 3 times. I loved it from her! It was our game and we both enjoyed it.