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I hate it when I get put on the spot. I have one parent who has three kids here two days a week. They were not her Monday, I allowed her to trade for today since she is moving. Now school is out today for weather. She texts and ask if they can bring their kindle's. This is against my policy, but I said okay. I hate being put on the spot. They will be here soon, I need to find a way to tell her that this is against my policy and is a one time thing. Any help for little old didn't have a backbone today me?
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For those in-person on the spot requests I generally try to say something along the lines of "let get back to you on that" or let me check on that during nap and I will have the information/paper/whatever for you at pick-up" This buys me time to consider how I want to respond.
For requests that blatantly break your rules such as today. Just say no
I find it is easier to say no when I think of how I would have to fix the situation should it go bad. For example, telling mom the kindle was dropped and broken. I would hate for mom to except me to replace it, therefore making saying "no" much easier.
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"You know DCM, I am really uncomfortable with the kids bringing their Kindles to daycare since my handbook clearly states it is against the rules. I said yes this morning because I was not fully awake and was feeling a bit put on the spot so in the future please have the kids come without them. Thank you for understanding"
Then smile really big and leave the awkward silence remain silent.
Saying that does several things....it lets mom know that she DOES know rules (it's in the handbook) and that you were feeling put on the spot and that really isn't fair of her to do to you.
Mom knows the rule but she asked you on purpose because she more than likely counted on you reacting exactly as you did. When I rethink a situation like that, I always end up a bit mad when I realize that ^
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I ended up telling her when she dropped off that it was for today only, since I didn't really have any activities planned and that the reason we as providers don't allow it is that we can't afford to replace children's broken toys, and that not all the parents in my care have signed permission slips for pictures and videos and all of those devices have recording devices. She told me only one of them could do pictures, but I told her if I allow her kids I have to allow the others also. Hopefully I got it through, and I will be putting it in my newsletter, but I don't know if anyone actually reads the stupid thing.Comment
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I would just limit the Kindles to a half an hour and then put them away. Your house, your rules!Comment
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I found this too. At home the parents think they need electronics but at daycare whenever I have allowed them they rarely even want to play with them. I allowed it for a school age kid who was stuck here with a "bunch of babies" which is how she described it to her mother. She never even took it out
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I go "brain dead" when I'm put on the spot. I'm trying to remember to say "Let me get back to you on that" so I can take time to think about things instead of making an on-the-spot decision.
With my own kids the rule is "Anything you ask when I'm with a child care parent is an automatic NO."Comment
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