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sahm2three 11:56 AM 12-06-2010
Originally Posted by jenh171:
I am lucky enough to care for the best little group of children...honestly, they are all so well-behaved all day long. But ALL of the kids I have ever watched act completely horrible the minute their mom or dad arrives to pick them up...having tantrums, throwing things, you name it. It's like someone flicked a switch. I don't understand the psychology of this, but someone told me once that it's as if they are letting mom and dad have it for being gone all day. But it almost feels manipulative too, because I think they know that I'm not going to really correct them with their parent here. It is so hard for the parents and I cannot think of a way to fix this. I just wondered if anyone else experiences this phenomena!
I do correct the kids even when parents are here. They are still in my house! If parents are doing a good job of handling it, then I stay out of it, but if the parent is being wishy washy with discipline, I will step in. Also, we have a prize box. The kids all live for the prize box. They never let me forget it. So, they know they have to behave in order to choose something out of the prize box. I don't reward them with it until they have their shoes and coats on and they are ready to head out the door. I have even gone as far as take the prize back if mom/dad continue to visit and child acts up after getting their prize. I tell them I will hold on to it for them and they can try again tomorrow. Not sure what it is about, but most kids act out when parents come. Weird, right?
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