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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Pre-Lunch Time Madness
jojosmommy 12:37 PM 02-04-2013
I am having a relly rough time making lunch lately. I have done daycare for 4 yrs and never had this issue last this long. Need ideas!!!
18 month old DCK and my own 15 month old child start crying about 10 minutes before we go upstairs to start making lunch. Our routine is usually, clean up at 10:45, sing songs/dance and line up at bottom of stairs. I sing all the kids a song with their name in it and we individually go upstairs. I help the littles obviously. Once everyones name is called the upstairs gate is closed and the choices are read books or watch a show. (There are toys upstairs and even a cooking kitchen for toddlers but I reserve this for the kids 2-2 1/2 and under. Once they can focus they are expected to read or watch a show-their choice). This is the ONLY time kiddos get TV at my house so they are usually so focused and quiet it works perfect to make lunch. Typically takes 10-20min max as I do casseroles/slow cooker stuff that just needs to be plated and cups filled with milk etc. We almost never "finish" a show b/c I am fast and can get it all out pretty quick.
Lately my own daughter is in the kitchen from the minute we get upstairs climbing up my legs, screaming/crying etc. She only does this at daycare lunch routine. NEVER other meals or when dcks are not here. Now 18 month old dck has started doing it everyday too. Used to be, if I said "oh out of kitchen, read books or play" dck would wander out of kitchen and play/read. Now both kids are climbing table, taking cups, silverware etc plus crying the entire time and clinging to my leg.
My DD has severe food allergies and oral defensive issues and we have struggled with food since she was born. At 15 months she is still exclusively formula fed for nutrition and gets little "food". Almost never eats anything close to what dck are eating so in reality I am prepping two meals, dck meals plus an infant like meal for her. That adds to the time it takes obv. and makes me somewhat hesitant to try a tough guy approach with her. Not totally opposed, just less firm about this issue b/c food has been a struggle.
Last week and this both kids started crying 10 minutes before we even go upstairs. Like they anticipate lunch coming so they start their routine.
I can ignore ALOT and have really worked to put them outside of kitchen, say "oh Im still cooking, go play", or "Out, HOT!" etc. Today was almost the straw that broke the camels back though....
18 month old DCK and my own 15 month old child start crying about 10 minutes before we go upstairs to start making lunch. Our routine is usually, clean up at 10:45, sing songs/dance and line up at bottom of stairs. I sing all the kids a song with their name in it and we individually go upstairs. I help the littles obviously. Once everyones name is called the upstairs gate is closed and the choices are read books or watch a show. (There are toys upstairs and even a cooking kitchen for toddlers but I reserve this for the kids 2-2 1/2 and under. Once they can focus they are expected to read or watch a show-their choice). This is the ONLY time kiddos get TV at my house so they are usually so focused and quiet it works perfect to make lunch. Typically takes 10-20min max as I do casseroles/slow cooker stuff that just needs to be plated and cups filled with milk etc. We almost never "finish" a show b/c I am fast and can get it all out pretty quick.
Lately my own daughter is in the kitchen from the minute we get upstairs climbing up my legs, screaming/crying etc. She only does this at daycare lunch routine. NEVER other meals or when dcks are not here. Now 18 month old dck has started doing it everyday too. Used to be, if I said "oh out of kitchen, read books or play" dck would wander out of kitchen and play/read. Now both kids are climbing table, taking cups, silverware etc plus crying the entire time and clinging to my leg.
My DD has severe food allergies and oral defensive issues and we have struggled with food since she was born. At 15 months she is still exclusively formula fed for nutrition and gets little "food". Almost never eats anything close to what dck are eating so in reality I am prepping two meals, dck meals plus an infant like meal for her. That adds to the time it takes obv. and makes me somewhat hesitant to try a tough guy approach with her. Not totally opposed, just less firm about this issue b/c food has been a struggle.
Last week and this both kids started crying 10 minutes before we even go upstairs. Like they anticipate lunch coming so they start their routine.
I can ignore ALOT and have really worked to put them outside of kitchen, say "oh Im still cooking, go play", or "Out, HOT!" etc. Today was almost the straw that broke the camels back though....
Holiday Park 02:26 PM 02-04-2013
I feel like I am going throufh the same thing . I also care for two toddlers (16&17months) one being my own as well. And a 10month infant on formula and not eating much regular foods either (puree) . The infant has started doing all that but since I keep them on the other side of the gate (IN the playroom) while I get ready in the kitchen he is shaking the gate and going nuts! He will also start screaming at me voer&over , even if hea in the high chair. I have already decided to twrminate care but haven't decided when I will avtually give dcm notice because of financial reasons. I'm hoping to hold out maybe another month. Ignoring it just prolongs the screaming, and it ends up turning into a full blown tantrum where he has tears and snot all over his face. Putting him in the super color yard (gated in seperate play area) each time he acts this way, actually helps but I have to go and let him back out when he shows he can play quietly and stop the ruckus. I cant keep going over &over to him to do this , taking attention away from the toddler and my son. I might have to just put up with it and get some ear plugs until he stops coming 
.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 06:23 PM 02-04-2013
I would absolutely take a tough guy approach with unacceptable behavior.
blandino 09:27 PM 02-04-2013
We are having the same problem. We have recently moved, and at the old place - we used to watch an educational movie while I made lunch. They had books out to look at also. But everyone had to stay on their bottom.
All of a sudden, it is complete chaos at that time. No one can manage to stay seated and of they do - somehow people are still getting hurt. This is by far my worst tattling time of the day. I am starting to switch it around this week, and they will be in the room we do circle time in (very few distractions or other toys to get out), with an activity chosen for them. I am hoping this will end all the chaos, because I DREAD that part of the day right now.
All of a sudden, it is complete chaos at that time. No one can manage to stay seated and of they do - somehow people are still getting hurt. This is by far my worst tattling time of the day. I am starting to switch it around this week, and they will be in the room we do circle time in (very few distractions or other toys to get out), with an activity chosen for them. I am hoping this will end all the chaos, because I DREAD that part of the day right now.
snips&snails 09:48 PM 02-04-2013
OMG I have 2 that, the second I start making lunch s\they stop what they are doing, climb up into chairs and start yelling "I WANT LUNCH!! I WANT LUNCH" in this super demanding tone. Even my son looks at them like they are crazy. I really wonder, do they do this at home? Because no way is this acceptable at my house lol
Play Care 03:02 AM 02-05-2013
I've noticed that as soon as I start putting lunch together the kids will try to get in their chairs - even if lunch is 15 minutes away! They start crying and whining as if they have never eaten
I had been trying to put it together earlier so I would be more present to distract them when it got to be around 11:00. For many reasons I do not want them to have lunch any earlier than 11:30, and really, we have breakfast at 7:45, a very small snack at 9:30 and lunch is at 11:30. I had tried cutting out the AM snack since it feels like all we do is eat, but then they start getting whiny even earlier.
I may start giving out stickers to kids who are playing nicely, reading, or just waiting patiently but the two kids who are the whiniest are too young to understand that.
Anyway, not much advice but I can sympathize!
I had been trying to put it together earlier so I would be more present to distract them when it got to be around 11:00. For many reasons I do not want them to have lunch any earlier than 11:30, and really, we have breakfast at 7:45, a very small snack at 9:30 and lunch is at 11:30. I had tried cutting out the AM snack since it feels like all we do is eat, but then they start getting whiny even earlier.
I may start giving out stickers to kids who are playing nicely, reading, or just waiting patiently but the two kids who are the whiniest are too young to understand that.
Anyway, not much advice but I can sympathize!
laundrymom 03:35 AM 02-05-2013
Because I am always within sight & sound of my kids except when I potty I put mine @ the table.
Here's my routine,
I get them to our ' holding spot'
Mine is the threshold between my kitchen & play room.
I have them sit ' cross cross apple saice'
I grab their veg ( always fresh or frozen) toss it in pan w just a smidge of water. Turn on high.
Wash the hands of best behaving at that time kid.
get the to table. Turn off veg, lid it. Give child at table pile of napkin silverware & plate. While he seperates and sets his place setting I'm washing hands of child num two. He gets to table & I add veg to the plate of first kid. Then the next, who has had time to set her plate nicely I then set rest of table while waiting to see which remaining kid is behaving best and take them to wash. By the time I cycle through I've washed everyone, they've eaten their veg, are sitting at the table and I am free to bounce around the kitchen because they are all in there with me and I finish making lunch.
I always do veg, grain, protein, fruit then milk. They eat as I'm filling their plate and food lady thinks I'm a great multi tasker
We chat, giggle, have fun. They ask for seconds I dole out everything and when they are done we do the same thing in reverse to leave the table.
Here's my routine,
I get them to our ' holding spot'
Mine is the threshold between my kitchen & play room.
I have them sit ' cross cross apple saice'
I grab their veg ( always fresh or frozen) toss it in pan w just a smidge of water. Turn on high.
Wash the hands of best behaving at that time kid.
get the to table. Turn off veg, lid it. Give child at table pile of napkin silverware & plate. While he seperates and sets his place setting I'm washing hands of child num two. He gets to table & I add veg to the plate of first kid. Then the next, who has had time to set her plate nicely I then set rest of table while waiting to see which remaining kid is behaving best and take them to wash. By the time I cycle through I've washed everyone, they've eaten their veg, are sitting at the table and I am free to bounce around the kitchen because they are all in there with me and I finish making lunch.
I always do veg, grain, protein, fruit then milk. They eat as I'm filling their plate and food lady thinks I'm a great multi tasker
We chat, giggle, have fun. They ask for seconds I dole out everything and when they are done we do the same thing in reverse to leave the table.
spud912 07:31 AM 02-05-2013
My ydd does that I have her become my helper. By the time she's done setting the table, usually I have some kind of food I can start her on (I give her the item she is least likely to eat like vegetables or meat). HTH!
canadiancare 08:42 AM 02-05-2013
We transition from craft to lunch so they are working on their craft while I am plating (all in the same room) then we wash up and the food is ready to go.
I have 5 two year olds.
I have 5 two year olds.
boysx5 08:53 AM 02-05-2013
I premake everything in the morning so I'm half way done by the time lunch time comes I also do snack ahead to. I find it makes life so kuch eaiser.
Play Care 09:35 AM 02-05-2013
Originally Posted by laundrymom:
Because I am always within sight & sound of my kids except when I potty I put mine @ the table.
Here's my routine,
I get them to our ' holding spot'
Mine is the threshold between my kitchen & play room.
I have them sit ' cross cross apple saice'
I grab their veg ( always fresh or frozen) toss it in pan w just a smidge of water. Turn on high.
Wash the hands of best behaving at that time kid.
get the to table. Turn off veg, lid it. Give child at table pile of napkin silverware & plate. While he seperates and sets his place setting I'm washing hands of child num two. He gets to table & I add veg to the plate of first kid. Then the next, who has had time to set her plate nicely I then set rest of table while waiting to see which remaining kid is behaving best and take them to wash. By the time I cycle through I've washed everyone, they've eaten their veg, are sitting at the table and I am free to bounce around the kitchen because they are all in there with me and I finish making lunch.
I always do veg, grain, protein, fruit then milk. They eat as I'm filling their plate and food lady thinks I'm a great multi tasker
We chat, giggle, have fun. They ask for seconds I dole out everything and when they are done we do the same thing in reverse to leave the table.
I like that idea, but I have a three year old that throws fits because he's decided that he doesn't like vegetables anymore...I can see him not eating and starting to whine because it's on his plate.Because I am always within sight & sound of my kids except when I potty I put mine @ the table.
Here's my routine,
I get them to our ' holding spot'
Mine is the threshold between my kitchen & play room.
I have them sit ' cross cross apple saice'
I grab their veg ( always fresh or frozen) toss it in pan w just a smidge of water. Turn on high.
Wash the hands of best behaving at that time kid.
get the to table. Turn off veg, lid it. Give child at table pile of napkin silverware & plate. While he seperates and sets his place setting I'm washing hands of child num two. He gets to table & I add veg to the plate of first kid. Then the next, who has had time to set her plate nicely I then set rest of table while waiting to see which remaining kid is behaving best and take them to wash. By the time I cycle through I've washed everyone, they've eaten their veg, are sitting at the table and I am free to bounce around the kitchen because they are all in there with me and I finish making lunch.
I always do veg, grain, protein, fruit then milk. They eat as I'm filling their plate and food lady thinks I'm a great multi tasker
We chat, giggle, have fun. They ask for seconds I dole out everything and when they are done we do the same thing in reverse to leave the table.