Parent Appreciation

[Baby Beluga]

Two of my families (who also happen to be absolutely wonderful families) are coming up on their 1 year anniversary with me. I would like to somehow acknowledge the day and thank them for being the wonderful clients they have been.

What are some ideas I could do? I was thinking maybe a hand written thank you card and a homemade loaf of bread, cookies, something like that?

[Baby Beluga]

No ideas?

I don't want to come across as "corny" to the parents. But I do feel they deserve some form of acknowledgement for being good clients.

[midaycare]

Is there a daycare appreciation? Because on my one year with them, they did nothing ...

I like the majority of my dcf's. Some I even text, talk to, or do a very occasional thing with outside daycare hours. However...I know where I rank in their book. Totally replaceable. Especially after a mosquito incident this week with a "model" dcm.

That said, if you really want to do something and not listen to my bitter rantings, do you take pics of the kids? How about a photo album of their time with you? Or a night out where you watch the kids for free (I can't imagine, but you seem inspired)

I would appreciate a bottle of wine, but I'm Irish and Catholic, so ... maybe you already know what they like. Coffee? Maybe a basket of coffee stuff. Maybe a basket for a popcorn night and movie rentals with dck at home (not with you watching dck).

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I do a photo album on their birthdays when I am being ambitious.

[BabyMonkeys]

I would give them a hand written thank you note, and if you are feeling particularly generous, a night of free babysitting.

I only have 3 little ones, that have been with me from birth, and their families are amazing. I kept the boys overnight on New Years Eve as as their Christmas/Thank you for being amazing gift. I realize not everyone can, or would want to do that, but it worked for me.

Everyone likes to feel appreciated

[NoMoreJuice!]

I've always loved thoughtful, hand written notes best. I've had patents give me gift cards, movie tickets, etc, but the heartfelt notes were amazing. And homemade cookies or bread sounds perfect!

[Baby Beluga]

Good ideas ladies, thank you!

My idea behind it was that people generally show their appreciation around the holidays. And although it is much appreciated whenever it happens, I feel that showing appreciation in this type of setting outside of the holiday season goes farther as it is generally unexpected. Which is what made me think of the one year mark. Especially since one of my DCB's was in 4 previous in homes before coming to me as mom kept feeling uncomfortable with what she would see when DCB was picked up.

I of course would be doing it for all the families, not just the great ones to keep it fair

[yodaone]

What about the hand written note and just one pic of their kiddos in a picture frame. Just an idea if you don't have time to do an entire photo album :-)

[Shell]

Is there a daycare appreciation? Because on my one year with them, they did nothing ...

I like the majority of my dcf's. Some I even text, talk to, or do a very occasional thing with outside daycare hours. However...I know where I rank in their book. Totally replaceable. Especially after a mosquito incident this week with a "model" dcm.

That said, if you really want to do something and not listen to my bitter rantings, do you take pics of the kids? How about a photo album of their time with you? Or a night out where you watch the kids for free (I can't imagine, but you seem inspired)

I would appreciate a bottle of wine, but I'm Irish and Catholic, so ... maybe you already know what they like. Coffee? Maybe a basket of coffee stuff. Maybe a basket for a popcorn night and movie rentals with dck at home (not with you watching dck).

I was feeling too snarky yesterday, so I didn't reply ::

These are great ideas, and it's very nice of you OP to care so much.

I'm jaded also, and realize that anyone of my families would leave if it worked for them.

[midaycare]

I kept the boys overnight on New Years Eve as as their Christmas/Thank you for being amazing gift. )

::::::

I am clearly a sarcastic, mean-hearted person. No way, no way, no way. That is so generous of you, I can't even begin.

[Baby Beluga]

I was feeling too snarky yesterday, so I didn't reply ::

These are great ideas, and it's very nice of you OP to care so much.

I'm jaded also, and realize that anyone of my families would leave if it worked for them.

Haha, we have all been there - myself included!

There is no way I would do a free night of babysitting or watch the kids outside of business hours. I work enough hours Mon-Fri. I love my families, but not that much. To those who have done it before - you are awesome! I am not that awesome

I was just looking at it as a customer service/genuine appreciation for the families who have been wonderful over the past year. I fully understand however that I am replaceable and families will do whatever it best for themselves and their family. So will I if push came to shove. This is just being done as a gift and then I am "letting it go."

[BabyMonkeys]

::::::

I am clearly a sarcastic, mean-hearted person. No way, no way, no way. That is so generous of you, I can't even begin.

LOL, you aren't mean-hearted and sarcastic. I ended up with only 2 of the boys spending the night, and they just had their 1st birthday, so the parents brought them in their pjs and I let them sleep here. The parents picked them up first thing in the morning. If they were older, or not great sleepers, I probably wouldn't have offered