Gave Milk to 23 Month Old

[Core12]

Today a mother saw that I allowed her 23 month old to have a bottle, I know this is against her rules. The reason I did it it is bc I have another child who is the exact same age who takes a bottle at nap time (her mother doesn't mind). I am worn out fighting with the child who isn't allowed to have it. After she sees the other children with bottles she has a major Major meltdown!
Today one of the parents decided to come an hour earlier (probably to spy)....I feel like crap now. She didn't say anything but I know she saw it and I'm afraid of the consequences. Tired of learning the hard way!

[laundrymom]

I would be angry too. It would make me wonder what other things were happening. I know you said the one child takes one and mom is okay w it. But why encourage it in your care knowing how developmentally inappropriate it is? I think I'd come up w a plan to stop all bottles by a year and change your policies to reflect the new plans. Then maybe mom who caught you doing it would know you aren't hiding.

[Ariana]

I agree that I would not be happy especially if this was creating an unhealthy sleep habit which it most likely is. I also do not agree with children having bottles to nap at nearly two years old!

Might be time to revisit that decision. I know it might make it easier for you at nap time but the mom obviously knew something was up if she came to "spy".

[LysesKids]

Today a mother saw that I allowed her 23 month old to have a bottle, I know this is against her rules. The reason I did it it is bc I have another child who is the exact same age who takes a bottle at nap time (her mother doesn't mind). I am worn out fighting with the child who isn't allowed to have it. After she sees the other children with bottles she has a major Major meltdown!
Today one of the parents decided to come an hour earlier (probably to spy)....I feel like crap now. She didn't say anything but I know she saw it and I'm afraid of the consequences. Tired of learning the hard way!

Bottles go out the door @ 12 months here... I don't like it that some parents allow their babes to have them @ home after the first birthday, but here - not happening; As a mom, I would be upset too if I had seen that. I deal with nothing but littles under 18 months... by the time they leave here most have mastered a spoon, fork & use real 3oz glasses to drink from

[Unregistered]

Yep. I'd be mad too. Why let the child have a bottle whose parents weaned her off of it? Why not simply train the other child to do without a bottle WAY past the acceptable age? Just as I get angered by a lazy parent who won't toughen up when needed to train a child, I would be even angrier that someone I pay would be lazy and disrespectful to my parenting. I wouldn't be surprised if mom is looking around for a different caregiver soon. I would be

[AmyKidsCo]

I'm sorry - it's no fun making a mistake and learning "the hard way." I hope things work out!

[Blackcat31]

It's not the end of the world... if you have a decent relationship with the parent, just be open and honest about it.

Maybe you can brainstorm ideas together on how to teach the child to be more agreeable to nap time without any type of unwanted habit.

Like AmyKidsCo said its no fun learning the hard way

But you learn and move forward

[Core12]

Thank-you Guys!

I have just started watching kids in June (not an excuse) but I guess since I don't have kids I didn't realize how terrible this is!!!! Tomorrow I am making changes! I feel like crying bc I really love this girl and I know I hurt her mom!!!! Ahh!!! Wish I could say it only happened once but that's not true....just got caught. So tomorrow is going to be very hard, but I guess I will give them a nice big drink of h2O out of a sippy cup and lay them down with a pacifier. Then I'm going to pray, for real.
Thanks again, I really mean it!

[laundrymom]

You can do this. I promise.
Just stay consistent.

I have just started watching kids in June (not an excuse) but I guess since I don't have kids I didn't realize how terrible this is!!!! Tomorrow I am making changes! I feel like crying bc I really love this girl and I know I hurt her mom!!!! Ahh!!! Wish I could say it only happened once but that's not true....just got caught. So tomorrow is going to be very hard, but I guess I will give them a nice big drink of h2O out of a sippy cup and lay them down with a pacifier. Then I'm going to pray, for real.
Thanks again, I really mean it!

[LysesKids]

I have just started watching kids in June (not an excuse) but I guess since I don't have kids I didn't realize how terrible this is!!!! Tomorrow I am making changes! I feel like crying bc I really love this girl and I know I hurt her mom!!!! Ahh!!! Wish I could say it only happened once but that's not true....just got caught. So tomorrow is going to be very hard, but I guess I will give them a nice big drink of h2O out of a sippy cup and lay them down with a pacifier. Then I'm going to pray, for real.
Thanks again, I really mean it!

Does the child use a paci? If not don't introduce one now because it's something else I don't allow unless my babies are special needs... when one gets it, they all want one & at almost 2, they shouldn't have it. The child needs to learn to self sooth for naps without help

[Core12]

They all use paci's

The child who wasn't supposed to have a bottle is very advanced and the other 2 yr old is normal. They both love paci's, and they are both really starting to have some temper tantrums!
I am almost 40 years old and wish I had my own kids and after I lost a job working in a cubicle in ins, this just started falling in place
I have learned so much from this daycare forum it's ridiculous! It's also nice knowing that so many providers on here are comedians! Hehe!

[Core12]

They all use paci's

The child who wasn't supposed to have a bottle is very advanced and the other 2 yr old is normal. They both love paci's, and they are both really starting to have some temper tantrums!
I am almost 40 years old and wish I had my own kids and after I lost a job working in a cubicle in ins, this just started falling in place
I have learned so much from this daycare forum it's ridiculous! It's also nice knowing that so many providers on here are comedians! Hehe!

[thebenners]

Live and learn!

I don't mind kids having bottles or pacifiers after 12 months. I'm not a stickler for the age limits at all.

But, I wouldn't give a kid a bottle who doesn't have one at home. Mom might be upset but just apologize and hopefully you can move on.

Good luck!

[Mike]

I say just explain to the mom that the baby wanted it because others had it and tell her you won't do it again. It's not a life risking mistake.

I know I will make mistakes when I start because I've done a lot of babysitting, but I know daycare is different. This forum has been very helpful for me to start right, and will be helpful when I do make a mistake or 2, or a few dozen. ::

[TheMisplacedMidwestMom]

You've mentioned a couple times that you "just got caught". My advice would that anytime you are doing something that you would not want a parent to "catch" doing if they walked in the door, then you may want to rethink your actions and go another way. As providers we don't always have the same styles or views as parents, but there should never be a time when you doing something behind a parents back that you wouldn't do with them in the room. It sounds like you may have felt that little pang of guilt before the parent "caught" you. In the future, trust that gut feeling.