Pick Up Trouble

[Controlled Chaos]

That dcd is downright rude. If I could I would give them notice for sooner.

As far as the transition goes, it is rough on most kids. I would have a separate area for him to go decompress. Get him in on it. "After school, you seem tired and stressed. What do you think you could do to make yourself feel better?"

My one son comes home, I have a snack set up at his desk and he goes in there, closes the door, listens to his ipod or reads while he eats a snack- ALONE. He is less social and needs the solitude.

My other son comes home, drops everything and runs to the backyard. He needs to release pent up energy. THEN, he comes in washes up and has a snack.

My dd has her headphones on before she even comes in the door, she changes into boots and goes walking in the woods. She needs to be away from everyone and everything.

My other ds (autism) goes straight to his room (snack waiting) and stims for over an hour. He holds it in all day, so that's his safe outlet.

See what your child thinks might help him!

Also, don't be afraid to speak up and talk to YOUR son in front of a dcp. "Oh son, you have had such a long day at school. Transitions are so hard, and school take a lot out of you. I can see you're feeling frustrated. BYE DCG!"

I often say something similar about my 2yo during pick ups. She often melts down at 4:30. I say "Oh J, sharing mommy with 7 other kiddos all day is hard enough, but sharing mommy with grown ups just pushes you over the edge doesn't it! Sit in mommy's special chair and we will snuggle as soon as everyone goes home." It helps explain why the provider's child is melting down everyday at the same time, it should be obvious and I do try and prevent it, but she's 2

I was surprsed this year by how much a transition 1st grade has been for my DD compared to kindy. After a few rough days we have the coming home routine:
She comes down to the playroom for a hug and kiss
Goes upstairs to a snack that I set up for her at nap time.
"Kindle Time" what we call her 30 min on her leap pad
30 min of outside or a show
Then DC is over and we get her started on homework while I make dinner.

ODD is a real introvert so school really takes it out of her. I wanted her to come down and spend time with me originally, but that wasn't fair to ask her to go from school to daycare for no reason.

[Crazy Baby]

I've not read the responses yet but one thing that always helped me (still to this day it's a rule and I've got two who moved out and two at home 15&18)
Before they get home from K I put a clean shirt in the bathroom. When they walk in the door our routine has always been to go wash our hands and change shirts.
Then they put their things in their rooms and come have a snack.
I made it the plan from day one.
It keeps school germs away from the daycare kids and gave my kids a little time to catch their breath after the hustle of school.
Still today, they come in the house, wash their hands and if they want to play w the daycare they change shirts.
Maybe this is a routine that would help you?

So is this why your screen name is laundry mom? .

[Kindermom]

Update

Not sure why I didn't think of updating this way in the first place instead of new, confusing posts! Anyway......

I posted a few days ago about trouble with dc family at pick up....I have 11 more days and it feels like 100. If they bring up this daycare again (now that I have their replacement) I am going to give them the go-ahead. I know when it comes down to it, I will feel sad when this DCG goes, especially now that my daughter is asking every day if she is coming over because she is excited to play, but I am just feeling burnt out! Very ready for my 3 days a week schedule!

Thanks for listening and helping me through this ordeal.

While I am at it, in my original post on this topic, I had mentioned my kindergartner adjusting to school and you all had great advice. He is so angry when he comes home if he doesn't get his way! I have his snack ready to boost his blood sugar to curb the angries, but it's not working. It used to be wound up hyper wild, which has just turned into angry defiant "I don't have to listen to you"/"I am doing it anyway" and loud, angry tantrums. Oh the defiance! Can starting kindergarten trigger ODD? I know he loves riding the bus but I am wondering if it is too much or if picking him up after school (to give him quiet unwind time) would help. I just miss my sweet boy!

Can someone delete my posts from today, please? I was unregistered when posting.

Thanks again!

[Rockgirl]

It would be so tempting to say, "You sound SO excited to start at the new daycare. Any chance they'd take you early? Like, tomorrow?"