Default Style Register
Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Was I Wrong?
daycarediva 03:52 AM 04-10-2013
I have a ft dcg, she is usually an awesome kid, but she hates, and I do mean HATES going outside. When her Mom enrolled her in fall/when she turned 2 she was fully aware of how often we are outside and that was one of the main reasons she wanted dcg in my program.

We were only able to get outside 30ish minutes a day all winter due to the cold, since dcg is an early pickup, she never gets PM outside time, but Mom's schedule changed and now she does.

But....now it's spring!

It is creating HUGE issues. She is ok for the first 10 minutes. Yesterday it was 65 & sunny. All of my other dck's have coats stripped off and are running for joy. Dcg asked to go inside every 2 minutes, literally. She followed me around begging to go inside. She complained about dirt, grass, bugs, leaves, sticks, ohhh goodness. Same with PM outside time. When that didn't work, she refused to eat snack (fresh fruit salad) outside. She said 'I'm not eating until I go inside, bugs will get in my food." I said fine, left her snack on the table outside and then tossed it when we were done.

Dcp's were all picking up from outside, which is our usual summer routine, note was on the door. They can walk around the gate, open it from outside (I leave the inside unlocked for about an hour at pickup times) and then leave from outside.

Dcg's Mom came, walked through my house with her shoes on to get to the back (big no no here). I told her that next time, please walk around the gate to get dcg when we are outside. There is a concrete pathway, which leads onto a concrete patio where I have a gazebo/kids picnic tables set up. I place all of their things on the concrete for pickups. Dcg proceeded to tell her Mom that I made her stay outside (dcm rolled her eyes) until dcg said "and we had to EAT our snack OUTSIDE!" and dcm was like "wha?"
I think I know where dcg gets her loathing of the outdoors from now! Dcm was upset that dcg was 'forced to eat' outside (oh poor baby, on regular plates, with regular silverware, on a clean, sanitized picnic table.

I told dcm that it happens ALL THE TIME in summer, is perfectly acceptable by the state and the kids enjoy it. We even PICNIC. I also told her that dcg refused to eat snack, and then dcg threw a massive fit about being hungry and wanted a banana. Dcm had the AUDACITY to ask me if she can grab a banana for her off the counter when they left. I said NO! She was offered snack, she refused it. If I let dcg have a banana, I had 7 other kids there that would have wanted one and it wasn't fair.

I just got a lovely email about dcg being 'unable' to eat outside and since it is supposed to be nice all week dcm wanted to know my plans for dcg!

I am sooooo irked by this!

Was I wrong to refuse the banana? WWYD?

*I have about 3-4 bunches of organic bananas on the counter in my kitchen at all times. Bananas are snack about once a week and I pack them in lunches for DS, DS, DD and DH so they are all pretty much accounted for. If I handed out 7 extra, I would have to go back to the store and buy more or find something else for the lunch/snack bags for my own family.*
Reply
MissAnn 04:06 AM 04-10-2013
You are not wrong! Nip it in the bud! If mom doesn't want her to ear outside, mom needs to pick up before snack. I had a kid whim hated outside and would not come off the deck, but she got better. Hopefully yours will do the same.
Reply
Laurel 04:23 AM 04-10-2013
You might tell mom what you told us. You just don't have enough bananas for everyone and once one child asks everyone else wants one also.

I think I would tell her that you are planning to have the same routine all summer and if she would like she could bring a snack for dcg to eat on the way home in the car. If she gives her child the snack she brings in front of the other children natural consequences will take over. SHE will have to explain to the other children where theirs are so she probably won't do that twice.

Laurel

P.S. In the scenario that happened I would have given her the banana but told her this time only but tell her to take it out of the house before she eats it so the other children won't ask for one. Then I would do what I said above.
Reply
daycarediva 04:32 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by MissAnn:
You are not wrong! Nip it in the bud! If mom doesn't want her to ear outside, mom needs to pick up before snack. I had a kid whim hated outside and would not come off the deck, but she got better. Hopefully yours will do the same.
I doubt it, she's a stubborn one! She didn't even participate when we spray painted snow, blew colored (frozen) bubbles, made giant snow letters, built a snowman, she JUST complained. GRR!
Reply
daycarediva 04:36 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by Laurel:
You might tell mom what you told us. You just don't have enough bananas for everyone and once one child asks everyone else wants one also.

I think I would tell her that you are planning to have the same routine all summer and if she would like she could bring a snack for dcg to eat on the way home in the car. If she gives her child the snack she brings in front of the other children natural consequences will take over. SHE will have to explain to the other children where theirs are so she probably won't do that twice.

Laurel

P.S. In the scenario that happened I would have given her the banana but told her this time only but tell her to take it out of the house before she eats it so the other children won't ask for one. Then I would do what I said above.
I will tell Mom that about the bananas today. Great idea about her bringing a snack for dcg for the car.

All of the kids were standing around because dcg was LOUD and kids loveeee some drama, so if I said yes to the banana, everyone would have heard/wanted one.

I also didn't want to reinforce that if dcg does something/asks in front of her Mom, I will give in. kwim? She KNOWS if she doesn't eat, I don't offer second chances.

We eat lunches outside in summer AND pm snack, we also go to the playground to picnic (on blankets!) on our field days. I see a hungry dcg and a mad dcm in our future.
Reply
bunnyslippers 04:37 AM 04-10-2013
You were not wrong, at all. Your program, your house, your rules.
Reply
NeedaVaca 05:14 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by bunnyslippers:
You were not wrong, at all. Your program, your house, your rules.
I would not have given the banana either, she had her chance to eat and it would not be sending the right message to give it to her. I can see kids not liking to go outside in the winter, but in warm weather?? My kids BEG to be outside all day. Picnics are FUN, I wouldn't change anything and hopefully the DCG will eventually come around.
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:24 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by MissAnn:
You are not wrong! Nip it in the bud! If mom doesn't want her to ear outside, mom needs to pick up before snack. I had a kid whim hated outside and would not come off the deck, but she got better. Hopefully yours will do the same.
YEP or bring a snack in the car, like someone else suggested! The poor little darling will not starve with snack being delayed a little bit.

As for her whining, POOR YOU. That is awful! When children who have never been outside join my program, they tend to do the same thing but since I ignore them completely and will not answer that nor will I stand around listening to it (I walk away) they tend to get over it relatively quickly. My ears would bleed if it continued on like your DCG has.
Reply
cheerfuldom 05:29 AM 04-10-2013
oh my goodness. who do these people think they are? royalty? sheeesh. I say dump both of these princesses in a third world country and then bring them back a week later. You bet they would eat whatever was served then....even if it had (gasp) a bug on it.
Reply
AfterSchoolMom 05:35 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
We eat lunches outside in summer AND pm snack, we also go to the playground to picnic (on blankets!) on our field days. I see a hungry dcg and a mad dcm in our future.
I think you should discuss this with her now to avoid issues later. Just lay it all out for her - that you go outside for very large portions of every day, you eat outside every day, that you picnic, etc...and that you do not plan on bending your rules for DCG. I think you'll save yourself a lot of hassle in the end.
Reply
hope 05:40 AM 04-10-2013
You are not a fast food joint. I don't understand why parents ask for food and drinks to go. She was there to pick up her daughter. She should do just that and then either have snacks in the car, go somewhere to pick up a snack or have DCG wait till she is home to eat. Why should you supply food after care is done for the day?????
Reply
daycarediva 05:43 AM 04-10-2013
The Mom is aware, it's in my parent handbook that during nice weather, we rarely come indoors (for potty breaks and for me to prep food, essentially). We eat meals outside, we have a circle time area outside, we do art outside, it's a perk to my program that kids get so much outdoor play. Now that it's actually happening, dcm seems to be backtracking with how much she thinks dcg needs the outdoor time.

I spoke to her this morning at drop off and told her, this is how it is, if you don't like that, please remember to give me two weeks written notice. I reallllyyy don't want to lose dcg, but I refuse to hear it from her AND her mother all summer long either! Dcm was essentially saying that I should allow dcg to eat indoors as I prep snack, and then the rest of the kids can eat outside 'if they prefer that'....heavy on the 'sarcasm'. I reiterated that this is how I do things, the kids and other parents love it, it is NOT changing. I also handed her a new copy of my parent handbook, with these sections highlighted.
Reply
daycarediva 05:48 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
oh my goodness. who do these people think they are? royalty? sheeesh. I say dump both of these princesses in a third world country and then bring them back a week later. You bet they would eat whatever was served then....even if it had (gasp) a bug on it.
I agree! Dcm is a self professed 'diva' and said on interview that she is an 'indoor girl' and dcg had never played outside until she came here. EVER. She lives in a condo, dcg didn't know what a playground was, or how to use a swing (which she is petrified of). First kid I ever knew that didn't own play clothes, Mom refuses to even let her paint or play with playdoh at their house. THAT kind of diva.
Reply
SilverSabre25 05:50 AM 04-10-2013
Heck NO I wouldn't have given her the banana! I think you did the right thing. No one ever died from eating outside. And no one ever died from getting a bug on their food either.

We would spend a LOT more time outside in nice weather if I had a better access to the back yard. Someday...when we have the money to knock a wall out of the kitchen and put in a door and build a deck...
Reply
Meeko 05:53 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
The Mom is aware, it's in my parent handbook that during nice weather, we rarely come indoors (for potty breaks and for me to prep food, essentially). We eat meals outside, we have a circle time area outside, we do art outside, it's a perk to my program that kids get so much outdoor play. Now that it's actually happening, dcm seems to be backtracking with how much she thinks dcg needs the outdoor time.

I spoke to her this morning at drop off and told her, this is how it is, if you don't like that, please remember to give me two weeks written notice. I reallllyyy don't want to lose dcg, but I refuse to hear it from her AND her mother all summer long either! Dcm was essentially saying that I should allow dcg to eat indoors as I prep snack, and then the rest of the kids can eat outside 'if they prefer that'....heavy on the 'sarcasm'. I reiterated that this is how I do things, the kids and other parents love it, it is NOT changing. I also handed her a new copy of my parent handbook, with these sections highlighted.
Good for you! Hopefully she'll stop with wanting the princess treatment!
Reply
daycarediva 05:54 AM 04-10-2013
My house (albeit a little too small for my large family + daycare) is perfect for daycare. I use my former great room for daycare, which is adjacent to a small florida room, and there are double doors which lead to our large two level deck (lower is daycare, upper is family), and then our large fenced in yard with a 20x20 concrete patio with a gazebo for shade. When we looked at houses, I drooled in anticipation of the perfect daycare space (well, perfect within my budget!)
Reply
Patches 05:57 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
Heck NO I wouldn't have given her the banana! I think you did the right thing. No one ever died from eating outside. And no one ever died from getting a bug on their food either.

We would spend a LOT more time outside in nice weather if I had a better access to the back yard. Someday...when we have the money to knock a wall out of the kitchen and put in a door and build a deck...
And I'm sure no one ever died from delaying a snack for 30 minutes
Reply
Heidi 06:02 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by AfterSchoolMom:
I think you should discuss this with her now to avoid issues later. Just lay it all out for her - that you go outside for very large portions of every day, you eat outside every day, that you picnic, etc...and that you do not plan on bending your rules for DCG. I think you'll save yourself a lot of hassle in the end.


Just get it over with...lol.

I'd be outside MORE just to get dck acclimated faster. Breakfast, lunch AND dinner outside! dramatic play, science, math, literacy...I'd love to have my whole program out there, for that matter. I think Melskids does that all summer...

http://mountaintopdaycare.blogspot.com/

Can you imagine if your program were like this?

throotsfieldschool.org/classes/forest-kindergarten/

This is actually my dream, BTW...
Reply
countrymom 06:04 AM 04-10-2013
I would ignore mom and girl. I don't do tantrums or crazy request. Mom is bullying you into giving her daughter "special", if she wants special, then charge her extra. If she doesn't want princess to go outside, then tell her that its going to cost her extra because then YOU will have to hire a helper to stay inside with her. If she wants her to eat in the house then YOU will charge her extra because then you have to supply twice as much food. As nannyde aslways says--attatch money to it
Reply
countrymom 06:05 AM 04-10-2013
I had the oppisite problem, I had meltdowns yesterday because no one wanted to come in
Reply
originalkat 06:16 AM 04-10-2013
WoW! That little girl would have a hard time in my program too!! We eat outside as often as possible. In the nice weather we spend hours outside every day. She and her mom are going to have to get over it or take a hike. I would just explain to her the goals of your program and how spending ample time outside in nature so the children can get fresh air and exercise is very important. I would also explain the banana situation and let her know you have just enough for designated snacks and lunches. Good Luck!
Reply
MyNana23 06:36 AM 04-10-2013
I'm DYING for it to get warm enough here to spend most of the day outside...and to eat snacks outside, bugs and all...LOL! I wouldn't let the mom take a banana either...same reason as most others here...she expects special, wants special, demands special..doesn't happen here EVER !! It's not fair to the others OR to me! Why should I (or you) have to go to the store and spend extra money for your family because of her "pint-sized diva"??

The Child Diva will expect special treatment(or snacks) everyday if you give in even once..not everyone can or does or wants to live in a house where you can spend time outside but if I lived in a condo and had a child, I'd be thrilled to death for the child to have outside time!

I had a family here once with 2 girls and they HATED the outside SO much...I always had to drag them out, not let them make 200 hundred trips back in to the bathroom (because I'd come to check on them and they'd be sitting inside playing!!) , and not listen to their constant whining about being out..I couldn't believe my ears , when years later, my daughter-in-law ended up working with that dcm and the dcm told her she was so happy about how much time I spend with the kids outside! The mom used to try to wheedle around me asking if we could spend a little LESS time out or let HER girls stay inside..alone!!

Because she's kind of a bi**H, she was probably just being a snot about it to my DIL so she'd tell me...LOL!
Reply
daycarediva 06:41 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by Heidi:


Just get it over with...lol.

I'd be outside MORE just to get dck acclimated faster. Breakfast, lunch AND dinner outside! dramatic play, science, math, literacy...I'd love to have my whole program out there, for that matter. I think Melskids does that all summer...

http://mountaintopdaycare.blogspot.com/

Can you imagine if your program were like this?

throotsfieldschool.org/classes/forest-kindergarten/

This is actually my dream, BTW...
That's near me.

I have a small dramatic play area (kitchen, food, grill) , a tools area with a bench, toy chainsaw, toy yard & garden tools, the kids have their own garden (we just started seeds indoors) we have a truck area with dirt they can dig/play in, we bring our science things outdoors to put in the sand/water table, we have an 'art line' and 2 pop up easels outdoors for free art, we have lots of ride on toys, a large swingset, several play houses, a bouncy house, a ball/sports area, a drive through car wash (sprinkler), logs set up in a circle for a faux campfire which is where we do circle time outside, I have slooowwwlllyyy been adding to this for more and more outdoor time.

If only I lived in a warmer state, my program would be OUTSIDE based 99% of the time.
Reply
Heidi 07:01 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
That's near me.

I have a small dramatic play area (kitchen, food, grill) , a tools area with a bench, toy chainsaw, toy yard & garden tools, the kids have their own garden (we just started seeds indoors) we have a truck area with dirt they can dig/play in, we bring our science things outdoors to put in the sand/water table, we have an 'art line' and 2 pop up easels outdoors for free art, we have lots of ride on toys, a large swingset, several play houses, a bouncy house, a ball/sports area, a drive through car wash (sprinkler), logs set up in a circle for a faux campfire which is where we do circle time outside, I have slooowwwlllyyy been adding to this for more and more outdoor time.

If only I lived in a warmer state, my program would be OUTSIDE based 99% of the time.
me too! Alas...Wisconsin, which is beautiful of course, but the winters are long and cold, especially when you have young infants.
Reply
snbauser 07:05 AM 04-10-2013
I would respond to her question of how you are going to handle it with:

Per the policies you received when you enrolled, we spend a majority of time outside whe the weather is nice. This includes eating snack outside. Your plans for dcg are to continue to offer her snack where and when everyone else eats. It is then her choice ot eat it or not. The alternative is for you to pick her up before snack time.
Reply
MNMommy2 07:13 AM 04-10-2013
Nope, no banana! Seriously, some people. I find the older I get, the more easily irritated I am.

And don't do anything "just this once." People choose not to hear that clause.
Reply
Luna 07:22 AM 04-10-2013
Sorry Mom, no banana. We serve snack, child chose not to eat it. We will be doing the same every day all summer so adjust your attitude accordingly.

You sure don't need to explain to mom what you intend to do with your bananas sitting on your counter in your house. She can bring her own snack for Princess to eat in the car when she leaves. Good Gravy some people. Just when you think you've heard it all...
Reply
MyAngels 08:20 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by AfterSchoolMom:
I think you should discuss this with her now to avoid issues later. Just lay it all out for her - that you go outside for very large portions of every day, you eat outside every day, that you picnic, etc...and that you do not plan on bending your rules for DCG. I think you'll save yourself a lot of hassle in the end.
I vote for this, which it sounds like you've already done. It'll be interesting how this plays out over the summer . I read somewhere once that we're raising a generation of "hot house kids" and it's so true, unfortunately.
Reply
Brooksie 08:27 AM 04-10-2013
No way! You're totally right here. If a child refuses snack they don't get an alternate snack. Absolutely not. Definitely not fair to other kids.
Reply
daycaremum 08:29 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by AfterSchoolMom:
I think you should discuss this with her now to avoid issues later. Just lay it all out for her - that you go outside for very large portions of every day, you eat outside every day, that you picnic, etc...and that you do not plan on bending your rules for DCG. I think you'll save yourself a lot of hassle in the end.
I totally agree with this. This mother and daughter are ridiculous. As for little girl following you around whining. I would tell her if she whined she would have to go sit by herself. When she's ready to go play she can get up whenever she likes as long as she's not whining. If she chooses to stay there the whole time, that's her choice. I would continue to ask her every ten minutes or so if she was going to go play, but the choice is hers. But no one will follow me around whining, how annoying. How old is this child?
Reply
Laurel 09:02 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
I will tell Mom that about the bananas today. Great idea about her bringing a snack for dcg for the car.

All of the kids were standing around because dcg was LOUD and kids loveeee some drama, so if I said yes to the banana, everyone would have heard/wanted one.

I also didn't want to reinforce that if dcg does something/asks in front of her Mom, I will give in. kwim? She KNOWS if she doesn't eat, I don't offer second chances.

We eat lunches outside in summer AND pm snack, we also go to the playground to picnic (on blankets!) on our field days. I see a hungry dcg and a mad dcm in our future.
I do know what you mean!

My children have always loved to eat outside. I like it too. We don't do picnics in the park per se but we take snacks/drinks sometimes.

Laurel
Reply
sharlan 09:14 AM 04-10-2013
I understand, in a way, where the mom is coming from, but not really, if that makes any sense at all.

My kids' first daycare fed all the kids, every single meal and snack, outside, regardless of the weather. The kids were not allowed to eat or drink anything in her house. She had a covered patio, but was open to the elements on the sides. My kids were no longer going there when my daughter finally told me. I never thought to question where they ate. I also never thought to question why her house was always so immaculate, either. No toys were allowed in the house. The kids either played in the converted playroom or outside.
Reply
daycarediva 09:18 AM 04-10-2013
My dcg is 2 years, 7 months almost to the day. She started with me the day after she turned 2. (I only take 2+) so she has never been here for summer before. My other kids all love love love outside, even in winter they are asking to go out, and crying when we have to come in. During summer I have to say POTTY BREAK, only ONE minutes inside, everyone hurry so we can go back out, etc because otherwise there WILL be meltdowns.

I have been just redirecting dcg to something fun (never works), and ignoring her whines completely(Im good at ignoring, thankfully!) I can't have her sit for the majority of her day. For instance yesterday we went out at 8:30 and came in at 11:30/prep lunch, we ate indoors since the kids had already cleaned and set the table. After nap, we were back outdoors from 2:30/snack until pickups. My last daycare kid left at 5:45 and we were still outside.

So out of dcg's 9.5 hour day at daycare, 5.5 hours were spent outside, the rest was drop offs/breakfast, lunch and nap. That is how it will be everyday in summer.
Reply
sharlan 09:24 AM 04-10-2013
If she truly hates being outside, what about setting a blanket down for her and letting her have some quiet activities like puzzles or something to do. She can either sit and play by herself or she can go run and play with her friends.

I don't think your are going to be able to force her to like the outdoors.
Reply
sharlan 09:26 AM 04-10-2013
As for the bananas, I wouldn't be passing them out to all the kids when they left, either.

My kids' one provider (the one who fed them outside) would give any child complaining of hunger a carrot as they walked out the door.
Reply
Laurel 11:12 AM 04-10-2013
As far as the whining/begging, etc. another provider I know had a good idea for that sort of thing. She hangs up a picture of a big ear and tells the child to "Go tell it to the Ear". I've heard of one provider who did this but had the president's picture on the wall, lol. At the time it was George Bush but now it could be Obama. "Go tell the president honey."

Laurel
Reply
daycarediva 11:20 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by Laurel:
As far as the whining/begging, etc. another provider I know had a good idea for that sort of thing. She hangs up a picture of a big ear and tells the child to "Go tell it to the Ear". I've heard of one provider who did this but had the president's picture on the wall, lol. At the time it was George Bush but now it could be Obama. "Go tell the president honey."

Laurel
omg that's hysterical! I just might steal that!!!


Sharlan- she won't sit down outside, on ANYTHING! Yep, that bad!
Reply
MNMum 11:38 AM 04-10-2013
This is group care. You are the one in charge. They don't have to like it, but you don't have to change your plans for one child. Keep doing what you are doing. Be honest with the parents that this is what you will continue doing. If either the mom or the kid don't adjust, then term. If the child is hungry enough, she will eat with the group. If her mom trains her to wait until pick-up and provide the snack for the car ride home, so be it.

In other words, I would have responded as you have!
Reply
Laurel 11:48 AM 04-10-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
omg that's hysterical! I just might steal that!!!


Sharlan- she won't sit down outside, on ANYTHING! Yep, that bad!


Laurel
Reply
Reply Up