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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Spoiled Toddlers?
EchoMom 11:35 AM 07-12-2013
Okay, I don't really think they're spoiled, but I do think toddler must be a synonym for selfish, self-centered, egotystical....

PLEASE tell me if anyone else has this same problem:

EVERY day my kids get plenty of fun stuff. Family style brunch, tons of outdoor play in our amazing yard, structured activities, free play, etc. But I can't keep it up every single second of every single day. I need a BREAK and I don't see a darn thing wrong with that. So after or during all the action, if I feel I need a break to go to the bathroom, breathe, throw some laundry in, have a snack myself, etc. I'll put the toddlers in a PNP for a "Break."

They are NOT in trouble, it's NOT a time out, but it's a break, a rest for about 15 minutes. They aren't alone, they've already done and will do more fun stuff, but it's just time for everyone to take a break for a minute. Infants go in a PNP for their morning nap, and the 2 year olds go in PNPs too for a break. The 3 year old I let stay out because he knows how to play quietly for a bit and I don't have to watch him like a hawk.

But the 2 year olds SCREAMMMMMMMMM and MOANNNNNNNN and WHINNNNNNNNNNE as if some has told them their dog died! They just cry and cry and cry as loud as they possibly can and it drives me bananas. I mean for goodness sake, you just had a ton of fun, but chill out for a few minutes in a safe place while I go to the bathroom, recoup, etc.

They also do this at nap time. They act like the world is ending even though I know they're tired. They sleep after awhile, but I find it so frustrating that they carry on and on and on because they want to play more and they completely don't understand reaosn when I tell them, "You're NOT in trouble, I just have to go to the bathroom and clean up to make lunch."

Does anyone else have this problem? You can hear them having a fit throughout the whole house and I shouldn't, but I take it personally and it offends me, as if they're totally spoiled. Thoughts?
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EntropyControlSpecialist 11:42 AM 07-12-2013
Just how "2" are they? 2 years and 0 month, 2 years and 6 months, etc.?

I've honestly never had this issue with any of the 2-year-olds I've accepted into care. The 21 month old I accepted last year did this for a month or so but I would place her in the same spot every single time she threw a tantrum and said, "No.All done." and that stopped quickly.
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coolconfidentme 11:52 AM 07-12-2013
My 2 yr olds aren't criers. I have a 3 yr old new boy who obviously whines at home. I tell him, "There's no whining in daycare." If he keeps it up I send him to the napping room; he can come out when he is done. At naptime I have a blower from the old bouncy room I put on. It puts them to sleep lickity quick & drowns out those who don't, lol.
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cheerfuldom 11:57 AM 07-12-2013
Is the nap pnp space the same as the "break" pnp spaces? that sounds like a bad idea because every time they are put in a pnp, they think its nap time. If I need to get something done and I need for younger kids to be put in a safe space, I opt for booster seats at the table or highchairs. I give them books or table activities and they are strapped in. Safe place that is not nap space and still has some activity option. now if they are screaming there and throwing stuff on the floor, I just do what I need to do. I am not going to stand there and do one-on-one attention just because a toddler can't handle a few minutes of seated activity. They are safe and I have done what I can and thats all I can do.
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EchoMom 12:09 PM 07-12-2013
This boy and girl I am talking about are 2.75years old, and the other girl is 1.75years old. Yes, they are the same PNPs, but I leave the lights on and they could talk to each other if they would just stop crying.

I used to have a different batch of kiddos last year and never had this problem. They would take a break in the PNP quietly, look at books, no problem. These 2.75year olds just throw toys out of the PNP and stand their yelling.

This same boy cries and throws a fit if I tell him to go to the PLAYroom, filled with TOYS. He throws a fit and stands there in the middle of the playroom and I say you're not in trouble, I just can't have him underfoot at every moment.
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LK5kids 12:18 PM 07-12-2013
I certainly understand your need for a break, but pnp might not be the place for non-morning nappers, especially kids that age. Can you clean up toys and get out books, play soft music and have some down time for everyone? My two's
Would sit for a short while and relax.

Not the same as a real break, but it would help. I don't think you can expect two's to go into a pnp for your morning break....just my thoughts.
Maybe someone has another opinion.
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NeedaVaca 12:25 PM 07-12-2013
I agree I would not put them in a pnp for these short breaks. When I need to clean up from lunch/snack or need a quick 15 minutes I put them at the table in boosters and give them paper/crayons or books to look at. You might want to try something like that?
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Heidi 12:25 PM 07-12-2013
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
Is the nap pnp space the same as the "break" pnp spaces? that sounds like a bad idea because every time they are put in a pnp, they think its nap time. If I need to get something done and I need for younger kids to be put in a safe space, I opt for booster seats at the table or highchairs. I give them books or table activities and they are strapped in. Safe place that is not nap space and still has some activity option. now if they are screaming there and throwing stuff on the floor, I just do what I need to do. I am not going to stand there and do one-on-one attention just because a toddler can't handle a few minutes of seated activity. They are safe and I have done what I can and thats all I can do.


Same here. I usually do this when I am preparing lunch and all the toys have been cleaned up. Otherwise, we'd have to re-clean while the food gets cold.

If you are using the pnp's for nap, "break", AND time out, it would be very confusing. "you are not in trouble" means nothing to them, specifically if that's where they go when they ARE in trouble.

I don't take much of a "break" while the kids are awake. I also don't play with them more than a few minutes here and there. I don't "entertain", so to speak. It's THEIR job to play, my job to create the opportunities, guide them, get them started, and referee. Only if they're "stuck" do I intervene; and I offer enrichment activities daily, and read stories. So, I guess my "break" is when they are playing (a couple sips of coffee, a trip to the bathroom, a peak at this forum). My real break comes at nap-time, because I am hard-core about afternoon nap.
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MsLaura529 01:38 PM 07-12-2013
Nothing wrong with needing a break. Like PP's have said, though, these guys might not be able to differentiate between a breaktime in their PnP and a naptime in their PnP.

After lunch time, while I'm cleaning up and they need some downtime, (and I've even done in the middle of the morning, too when it's been a bit crazy a couple days) I will turn on some quiet relaxing music and tell them to grab a couple of books and find a spot to sit and read. They LOVE it. I have a 4 yr old, a 2.75 yr old, and two 2.5 yr olds. They will sit and look at the books without a peep for 5 minutes, they've even gone as long as 10 minutes (usually this happens on a Monday when I've brought in some new books from the library).
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Josiegirl 04:00 PM 07-12-2013
I was told by my state licensor that we're not allowed to let older toddlers nap in PNP's. We have to transition them to mats. I have a little girl right now who will turn 3 in December. I moved her to a mat a couple months ago and she hasn't napped since.
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JoseyJo 04:40 PM 07-12-2013
We accept children 18 months and up and we do not use PNPs with them. Everyone sleeps on a nap mat. All of our furniture is child sized so we don't have boosters at the table (or high chairs) so nothing to strap them into!

When I need to go potty I get them started at a sit down activity like coloring, or in a group activity like cars, dollies, tea party, etc- tell everyone "okay, I am going potty now, I will be right back!" and go about my business.

At meal times I clean up the kitchen items as I cook, or while they eat, then as the kids finish up eating they go wash their hands and then go get a book to read in the adjoining playroom. They read quietly while I quickly clear the plates, sanitize the tables and sweep. Then everyone puts up their books and I read a story (or 2!) to them. Then we go to our next activity.

We do have older kids here also most of the time (4s and 5s) who help the little ones know what they need to be doing if they "forget"
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