Just How Un-Involved Are Parents.....?

[Meeko]

I have always done a mini activities program during the school year with my 3-4 year olds. From about 9-11 am.

This year, I haven't done it as the eligible kids are arriving at more spread out times and I added a school run....so no big enough time block to get it done.

I didn't say anything at first a I had planned on it, but each day became more difficult to schedule, so it just went by the wayside.

My son said..."Mom, just wait and see if the parents notice their kids aren't bringing home a ton of crafts etc."

So I waited for them to ask or mention it.

Crickets.

Not one single parent has asked about it. Not one has noticed their child isn't bringing a mountain of stuff home.

I am in shock as to just how un-involved and un-interested they ALL are.

I am going to retire in the next year or so and am winding down. The kids get love, toys, good food, exercise and rest. I'm not going to work myself to the bone anymore for parents who don't give a hoot.

[Ms.Kay]

I couldn't agree more!!!! The last 8 yrs a craft or 2... I used to write a few words on a white board every day so parents could ask/talk to kids on the way home. ...took it down last year......no one said a word.

Im about 9 yrs away from retirement. ...so jealous!!!

[Rockgirl]

They may have noticed, but just aren’t commenting. Maybe they think it would come across as a complaint to mention it?

[Blackcat31]

I have always done a mini activities program during the school year with my 3-4 year olds. From about 9-11 am.

This year, I haven't done it as the eligible kids are arriving at more spread out times and I added a school run....so no big enough time block to get it done.

I didn't say anything at first a I had planned on it, but each day became more difficult to schedule, so it just went by the wayside.

My son said..."Mom, just wait and see if the parents notice their kids aren't bringing home a ton of crafts etc."

So I waited for them to ask or mention it.

Crickets.

Not one single parent has asked about it. Not one has noticed their child isn't bringing a mountain of stuff home.

I am in shock as to just how un-involved and un-interested they ALL are.

I am going to retire in the next year or so and am winding down. The kids get love, toys, good food, exercise and rest. I'm not going to work myself to the bone anymore for parents who don't give a hoot.

:hug: :hug:

I am in the same boat.

Not sure if I should be relieved or sad.

I expect it from some parents but yeah... totally understand where you are coming from.

:hug: Enjoy your days and know you are providing what matters the most. Especially now days. lovethis

[rosieteddy]

It really bothered me when helping children into cars I would notice their projects lying crumbled on the floor.Changed my program .

[Annalee]

I understand. The dynamics of the home has affected child care and school immensely. The government implementing QRIS in child care and core curriculum in schools has changed the child care profession and teaching to the point providers feel they can't succeed with anything. So it's a cycle of defeat almost.

[Ariana]

I hear you!

Most of the time the craft stays in their daycare bag for days on end. No one bothers to put it on the fridge. No one is proud of their kids work. No one seems to care! I stopped sending crafts home and just use them to decorate the play room.

I also have a private FB page that I post biweekly pics on. They couldn’t be bothered to like the posts most weeks. It’s biweekly and they couldn’t be bothered. It used to be weekly so I cut down. Now I have decided to phase it out. What is the point. Meanwhile these same parents are all over FB liking and posting every.single.day. But they can’t throw me a bone

[Ariana]

:hug: Enjoy your days and know you are providing what matters the most. Especially now days. lovethis

So much this

I had one parent tell me that as long as her kid is alive at the end of the day she is happy. We laughed but I bet there is truth to it.

[Ac114]

It really bothered me when helping children into cars I would notice their projects lying crumbled on the floor.Changed my program .

Yup!!! Made cinnamon dough ornaments yesterday with the kids. Took everything in me to even do them because no one appreciates it. One parent let her 14 month old break it in half as soon as I gave it to her. And only ONE mom out of 6 set of parents said “thank you! I appreciate that you did crafts with her today”

Of course she’s my only mom that keeps her child home if she’s not at work, picks up early if she gets off early, all around appreciates me for what I do.

[Josiegirl]

They may have noticed, but just aren’t commenting. Maybe they think it would come across as a complaint to mention it?

That was my 1st thought as well.

[coloradoprovider]

crafts

I don't do many crafts that involve me doing much of the work. We do much more 3 dimensional learning. Music, nature, cooperative games, outside nearly every day, playdough, free art (painting, drawing) - that doesn't have a predetermined outcome, music, stories, manners and kindness, etc. Maybe once a month or so we do a "craft" and the parents are more appreciative - "less is more" - Young children shouldn't be generating a lot of paperwork. Their free play is very imaginative - you can't send most of what we do home in a backpack. Closely examine the impetus to send lots of stuff home to show that they're learning. Parents' lack of enthusiasm for "stuff" doesn't necessarily mean they're un-involved. Try sending less home - give them 1 or 2 things they can do at home to extend their child's learning. The less paperwork oriented the better.

[AmyKidsCo]

I think many people are getting into "decluttering" and prefer not having all that stuff come home so they don't have to decide what to do with them. As a mom of 6 I didn't keep most of the things my children made. I took photos of the things they or I really liked, and kept some super special things, but the rest was recycled, tossed, or donated.

Also, I think more parents are jumping on the Free Play and Process over Product train and don't expect tons of stuff to come home.

[DaveA]

Also, I think more parents are jumping on the Free Play and Process over Product train and don't expect tons of stuff to come home.

I don't do a lot of crafts or activities that result in something "take home". From the outset I tell DCPs I focus on social and emotional development. But yeah- if I changed up a major part of my program and no one commented I'd be annoyed.

Back when I did daily activity logs to go home with DCKs I started making smart alec notes in the logs. Things like "Signed kids up for SEAL training but they were mad they didn't get to become real seals!" No one commented. I once did this for a week with 5 kids with zero responses. Daily logs didn't last long after that.

[Cat Herder]

Back when I did daily activity logs to go home with DCKs I started making smart alec notes in the logs. Things like "Signed kids up for SEAL training but they were mad they didn't get to become real seals!" No one commented. I once did this for a week with 5 kids with zero responses. Daily logs didn't last long after that.

I offered discounts to anyone who emailed or texted me a code word. Nothing. I no longer do daily sheets. Nobody asked why.

[Lil_Diddle]

I have noticed it a lot with my current group of DCP’s. I always make monthly newsletters. They leave them in their parent mailboxes until I physically have to hand it to them. On important information, I post reminders on our group fb page and put a note up at eye level on the door in which they enter. And someone will always forget. Honestly it makes me feel unappreciated for all the efforts I put in to doing things with and for their children. I’m really nervous right now, the kids always do a secret Santa on the last day before Christmas break. I’m so worried one or more will forget to bring a gift... or heck even forget to get one.