Originally Posted by sarahtheresa02:
Trust me... the kids won't think you are mean. Just stick to your guns. Kids behave better in a structured environment. They know what is expected of them and they actually appreciate it. Of course they won't tell you that but you will see by the way they act and treat you in return.
I am very strict... our schedule is set and we very rarely divert from it. The kids know what comes next in our day. When I need to discipline its short and sweet and we move on. My parents tell me the kids get excited in the morning knowing they are coming to my house and they are reluctant to leave in the evening.
Good job for switching it up! It will all work out. 
Good point, Sarah. I've always felt like I'm mean to the kids, but a support worker I have tells me I'm actually pretty easy on them LOL. One kid that I've had problems on and off with, I was pretty sure he hated coming to my house. Well, last week his Mom said to me, "**** said to me this morning, I really like Amanda" and I almost cried on the spot LOL. The structure truly does pay off.