The Positive Thread

[Gemma]

It's Friday!!!

[GirlMomma]

Happy Friday!

One of my favorite parents brought the kids donuts this morning. They’re bouncing off the walls but they’ll crash for nap time 😂

[Cat Herder]

Happy Friday! The birds are singing so beautifully this morning and it looks to be a sunny day.

[GirlMomma]

Good morning & happy friday, everyone! 🤗

[Cat Herder]

Enjoyed my 4 1/2 days on the water but needed more time...it turned off cold until the last two days so we come home this morning. Grilling at my moms with family around the pool so that works, too!

While I was gone I did choose one day for 2 1/2 hours to sit at the pool BY MYSELF!!!!! Just had to do it this year.....needed more but I will take that....also did a lot of walking ALONE!!!!!

That sounds amazing. We had to cancel ours, again, so it will be another 5 months before I get a break. But that means my debt plan is 1 years further along than I planned, silver linings.

[Cat Herder]

I plan to do QRIS ones on Fridays. They are gonna love those.

[Cat Herder]

I have started adding "State Family Childcare Rule of the Day" to my business facebook account and the response has been epic.

Score 1 - Educate the public to what is happening in a manner they can understand and relate to. Use humor, be positive. - Check

[Cat Herder]

GM, I start with newborns and move them up based on whether or not I can continue to meet their changing needs within their current group. I try to keep those whose needs are better met in a smaller group longer (autism, sensory issues, introverts, medical/physical issues, etc.) vs. those who will thrive in the larger groups that many of our local centers offer. I am the only legal home provider in my town, there are not many local resources available for those children. I usually keep them until 6. For example: I move up a preschool child who is outgoing, athletic, who needs more space to run and climb because I believe his needs will be better matched in a larger center with more room, more active children and freedom than in my small space with infants and higher needs children in the same group. Usually, this is the child who is exhibiting frustration and is spending more time being redirected than actually playing because the other children demand so much of my attention and there is no one else their age/stage to play with. I can read them like a book, they tell me when it is time for a change of environment. Both sets of children benefit from these decisions, but that does not make it any easier to do.

[Annalee]

Enjoyed my 4 1/2 days on the water but needed more time...it turned off cold until the last two days so we come home this morning. Grilling at my moms with family around the pool so that works, too!

While I was gone I did choose one day for 2 1/2 hours to sit at the pool BY MYSELF!!!!! Just had to do it this year.....needed more but I will take that....also did a lot of walking ALONE!!!!!

[happymom]

Aw, this makes me sad that they get mad at you. It is really hard as a parent because you become so connected with your child's care provider, it is really hard to move on, especially when both parent and child haven't really ever explored anything else. It is hard at first, but they will soon realize it was for the best and that their child is ready for the next step!

[GirlMomma]

Can you explain what ages you provide for? Is it personal preference based on experience?

[Cat Herder]

I gave out all of the "time to move on" letters early yesterday, dealt with the blow back until closing time and today am reveling in the silent treatment. I have such a sense of relief it will soon be peaceful here once again. Moving big kids on is always so stressful, no matter how hard you work to prepare them, the parents almost always leave mad. They want to extend the stay well past their childs developmental needs for their own comfort. I will never understand it. Some kids do well in small group, others are stifled by it. It isn't personal, it is about what is in the kids' individual best interest. Introverts/Extrovert's.

I won't have to do it again for at least two years. I feel so refreshed, now. I am enjoying planning curriculum for next year, now.

[GirlMomma]

Yesterday, I had a mom give me an extra $50 cash with her payment for myself. Of course I used it to order more outdoors toys for the kiddos. LOL She has been late a few times. I’ve never said anything or charged her a late fee because it’s not exactly a habit, so she felt the need to give me a little extra to make her feel better for being late.

It feels so good to be appreciated & thought of. That is what keeps me going most days!

[happymom]

Thanks everyone! It's crazy to see the forum has changed
Thank you for the welcome back!
I am REALLY glad I took the opportunity. I learned a lot, but most of all, I would have always wondered and regretted it if I hadn't taken it. I'm really happy now, I have a wonderful job that is low stress. It's close to home.

My youngest kid starts kindergarten in the fall.
I got some sad news that today is our favorite daycare teacher's last day!

Gemma,
I am actually the weird one that hangs out on the forum that doesn't work in daycare! I work in business management/accounting. I landed here on the forum 6 years ago when my son was injured in an accident at daycare and just liked you guys so I hung around. I love the opportunity to see things from the perspective of the lovely souls who are taking care of my kids while I work.

[Annalee]

My grants were coming before covid...the money I got has nothing to do with the pandemic!