Confession Time

[Controlled Chaos]

The lunch I served today was no where near what I had posted on the menu. I am usually really good about sticking to it exactly. Lunch still met food program component requirements, but I realized I was short 2 ingredients, so no quiche today just sandwiches. The kids were bummed, but it was nice to "go crazy" and do a cold lunch two days in a row.

Thursdays are my "phone it in" day. There is zero cooking on Thursdays. Its also the only day I don't get out ALL the craft supplies when they ask. Its my mental health day. They still get to color, glue and cut if they want. But no - we are not getting out the pom poms, glitter, feathers, googlie eyes, straws, random recyclable objects etc. I have never had a group that was so obsessed with creating. I love it and they are amazing BUT Just one day of not cleaning all that up! I am super mean...can you tell ::

[NightOwl]

I know some adults who use coloring books as a method of relaxation. Can we argue that we are teaching children emotional health & fine motor skills? I think its fine to do something that is just plain fun once in a while to relax them.

You can print mandalas, sugar skulls, etc, off the Internet that are for adults who want to color! I LOVE them. It's so relaxing.

[NightOwl]

I do this when the kids turn 3/3.5. I prefer the 3 and under age groups so when they turn 3, or even before, I kinds of mention preschool and how their child is ready. I don't do a formal preschool program and to me 3.5 and older children are harder than the younger ones. Now, not all 3.5+ children are hard, but most are to me. I have one who is leaving for preschool next week and I'm going to cry, but I have another who NEEDS to go now...

Yes I have two who are going to be "encouraged" before long. I'm with you. Give me the zero to threes any day.

[Rockgirl]

You can print mandalas, sugar skulls, etc, off the Internet that are for adults who want to color! I LOVE them. It's so relaxing.

I enjoy those, too!

[Josiegirl]

I know some adults who use coloring books as a method of relaxation. Can we argue that we are teaching children emotional health & fine motor skills? I think its fine to do something that is just plain fun once in a while to relax them.

I remember waiting hours and hours at Boston's Children Hospital and in the pediatrics waiting room, they had these huge posters, for the parents to color. I spent many hours coloring. It is very relaxing and helps you lose yourself.
Experts don't know everything. And they certainly don't know the kids we're teaching every day either.

[Josiegirl]

You can print mandalas, sugar skulls, etc, off the Internet that are for adults who want to color! I LOVE them. It's so relaxing.

Hmmm, sugar skulls? Never heard of those, will have to check them out.
Veering off subject a little but has anyone tried Zentangles?

[Baby lady]

Hmmm, sugar skulls? Never heard of those, will have to check them out.
Veering off subject a little but has anyone tried Zentangles?

I have and I like them, the general idea.

I don't like that people have copyrighted that particular type of doodle, and that there are "right" ways to do it

I like coloring and doodling

[Thriftylady]

I like the mandalas! Never heard of them. I always doodle in church, it seems to keep my mind on the sermon, otherwise it races, and I think about daycare, hubby, DD, money issues, whatever . Something about my hands going keeps my mind still.

[Rockgirl]

I like the mandalas! Never heard of them. I always doodle in church, it seems to keep my mind on the sermon, otherwise it races, and I think about daycare, hubby, DD, money issues, whatever . Something about my hands going keeps my mind still.

Oh, I can so relate to this!

[Blackcat31]

I have another. I use coloring books. That's right--coloring books! I know....it's not DAP. But I think it's okay to do some things that are purely for enjoyment. I go to Dollar Tree and buy 10 or so at a time. When a child wants to color, they choose a page and show me. I tear it out and they color it. I'll often color a page myself--it's very calming. Surely I can't be the only one!

I have a pretty extensive collection of crayons and colored pencils.
They are mine. I don't allow the DCKs to touch them. .
(They do get their own)

I color abstract prints (and a couple coloring book pages) as a method of relaxation. It is very calming and rewarding.

My daycare confession would be that I am one of "those" providers that does not use or have coloring books or color pages for my daycare kids.

[BumbleBee]

I confess that my spirited dck, age 3, is wearing me out. 2 years on and this kid just wipes me out mentally. I have STRONGLY suggested to dcm that this child needs preschool next year-and made it very clear that I won't be offering preschool. Normally I wouldn't say that for a 3 year old, but I don't think I can keep it up for another year with my fall group.

[Onawhim]

I confess that today my kids did nothing but fight all morning so durning bathroom time before nap I put a YouTube video on my phone while I took turns taking them to the bathroom. I couldn't handle anymore fighting and crying.

[daycarediva]

I confess that I put a splash of juice in dcg's water. She is SEVERELY constipated and WILL NOT drink anything otherwise. Her water bottle is tinted, she doesn't say a word, and I am not telling licensing either.

After a two year battle with her about water (here and home) I'm done.

[Hunni Bee]

I confess that I put a splash of juice in dcg's water. She is SEVERELY constipated and WILL NOT drink anything otherwise. Her water bottle is tinted, she doesn't say a word, and I am not telling licensing either.

After a two year battle with her about water (here and home) I'm done.

All my daughters water is about 15% juice. I only buy clear juice and she never gets it straight...it just basically makes it smell yummy at that dilution. She will only drink plain water out of this special (read: hard to clean) Minnie Mouse bottle and only if its ice cold.

All her cups are dark tinted too...so her daycare teachers either haven't noticed or don't mind. I'm not mentioning it.

[Unregistered]

I confess that I don't allow free access to much of our art supplies, nor do I always bring it out even when asked for it.
We have plenty of art time throughout the week, but it's at my convienence.

I also have no problems telling the kids "this is what we are doing now" and not allowing them to bring out even more activities/toys when we already have a couple of choices out.

I confess that I don't always apply sunscreen to the kids. We are never outside between prime sun hours (10-3) due to our schedule and the backyard is shaded in the afternoon. No one has ever gotten a sunburn at my house.

I confess that when I have parents really push their kids on me, I tend to like the child less. And even more so if the child is one who feels they are better than the others because their parents have made them believe it.