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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Pet Peeves in the World of Day Care
Magic 08:45 AM 08-20-2014
1....parents wearing shoes in house when walking past the sign on the door that states" Please take shoes off children lie on these floors "

2 ...children arriving with sticky breakfasts in their hands ( mostly 2 year olds )

3... late or no show and no call

4....no one remembering to sign in or out ....

5 ...no one doing time request sheet ..or having me still total the cost of the month payment

6....having the day care provider do all the faxing for subsidy even months into car ( offered in enrollment cost for the beginning not forever )

7...asking me to print out pay stubbs ex with my ink

8...parents sitting on top of tables and such ...while all day I ask the children not too ...

your turn !!
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Blackcat31 09:01 AM 08-20-2014
I don't have a lot of daycare pet peeves but these come to mind

Other pet peeves:

People who talk on their cells LOUDLY while shopping or especially when going through check out lines.

People who park in fire zones or no parking zones because "they are only going to be a minute"

People who allow their children to run amok in a public place, like stores or restaurants.

People who chew with their mouths open or talk with food in their mouths

People who do not use blinkers/turn signals, tail gate or are just plain old rude drivers

People who apologize and then add "But....".
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AmyKidsCo 09:20 AM 08-20-2014
- Not signing in/out. (I can get written up if a parent forgets)
- "I'm trying to get her to..."
- Parents saying they're going to pick up early then not.
- Kids being picked up 5 min before closing when I know a parent is home.
- My family being loud/walking through the room (repeatedly!) when the babies are napping, even after they wake the babies
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Second Home 09:24 AM 08-20-2014
kids being picked up exactly at closing then the parent wants to talk about their child's day for 15 minutes .
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Annalee 09:25 AM 08-20-2014
People that obviously think I have "STUPID" written on my forehead or they would NOT act, say or do the things they do....
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BrooklynM 09:28 AM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't have a lot of daycare pet peeves but these come to mind
  • Children capable of walking being carried in/out
  • Children paci's in their mouths 24/7
  • Sippy cups
  • Parents who use phrases such as "He/she won't let me" or "I tried to get them to...."
  • Parents who think EVERYTHING their kid does is cute, unique or "special"
  • Parent definitions of "gifted" "advanced" or "special"

Other pet peeves:

People who talk on their cells LOUDLY while shopping or especially when going through check out lines.

People who park in fire zones or no parking zones because "they are only going to be a minute"

People who allow their children to run amok in a public place, like stores or restaurants.

People who chew with their mouths open or talk with food in their mouths

People who do not use blinkers/turn signals, tail gate or are just plain old rude drivers

People who apologize and then add "But....".
I hate it when people chew with their mouths open! Number one pet peeve for me, it really bugs me. The blinkers but me too big time because I feel like I am a very thoughtful signal giver and I give plenty of space between the car in front of me. I hate it when people merge between me and the car in front of me. UH.. that was my buffer zone! Also I hate it when people change lanes constantly only to end up back where they started!
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drseuss 09:31 AM 08-20-2014
Anything that could be classified as non-parenting. "She wouldn't xyz" or "she made me buy xyz".

Also, I have two dckids who do not eat healthy foods at home. Lately we have been talking about healthy eating and healthy bodies, which the parents know. These two parents are actually offended by this, and apparently quite passive aggressive too, because now they are showing up with their kids in the morning with packaged doughnuts and 'bug juice' from the gas station. Kids covered in frosting, etc. And they plunk them down at my island and go. They have chosen to take it personally that I am teaching their children healthy choices. This is the kind of thing that will eventually cause me to quit this job. Not soon, but eventually.

As hard as I try to not let it bother me when parents feed kids nothing but crap, It Drives Me Bongo. For these parents it is a conscious choice.
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BrooklynM 09:34 AM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by drseuss:
Anything that could be classified as non-parenting. "She wouldn't xyz" or "she made me buy xyz".

Also, I have two dckids who do not eat healthy foods at home. Lately we have been talking about healthy eating and healthy bodies, which the parents know. These two parents are actually offended by this, and apparently quite passive aggressive too, because now they are showing up with their kids in the morning with packaged doughnuts and 'bug juice' from the gas station. Kids covered in frosting, etc. And they plunk them down at my island and go. They have chosen to take it personally that I am teaching their children healthy choices. This is the kind of thing that will eventually cause me to quit this job. Not soon, but eventually.

As hard as I try to not let it bother me when parents feed kids nothing but crap, It Drives Me Bongo. For these parents it is a conscious choice.
I would not let that food into my house at all, I would just say at the door, oh, those things aren't allowed here, we have a no junk food zone policy.
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ColorfulSunburst 09:39 AM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by Annalee:
People that obviously think I have "STUPID" written on my forehead
I like that kind of people)))) I even can play a little and help them to think that I'm stupid. Especially if I have business with them. Very often it helps to win;

Hmmm ... I'm surprised. I don't have any pet peeve.
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Play Care 09:43 AM 08-20-2014
Anytime a parent compromises the safety of a child while on my property by disregarding the rules I have in place for that very reason.

No you should NOT allow your child to play in your vehicle(keys in the ignition) while I am quickly trying to tell you about their day.

No your child shouldn't be running through the driveway after you leave my house and as other parents are pulling in and out.

Or allow their child to damage/destroy my property because they can't tell them NO or control them.
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drseuss 09:46 AM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by BrooklynM:
I would not let that food into my house at all, I would just say at the door, oh, those things aren't allowed here, we have a no junk food zone policy.
I am getting there with my next policy update! Soon.

One of these parents is my niece and she is so stubborn I wouldn't doubt if she pulled over the new policy to try and prove something. Example: Yesterday she came in here b!tch!ng and eye-rolling, saying that her dental hygienist was so "bossy". She told her that she needed to floss more. Love her to the moon and back but wow. Not everything is personal.
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midaycare 10:50 AM 08-20-2014
My dc parents all want to chat for 10-15 minutes at pickup. No thanks!

My dc parents want way too much info about their day.
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KidGrind 10:57 AM 08-20-2014
My pet peeve:

P-A-R-E-N-T-S
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Annalee 10:57 AM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by ColorfulSunburst:
I like that kind of people)))) I even can play a little and help them to think that I'm stupid. Especially if I have business with them. Very often it helps to win;

Hmmm ... I'm surprised. I don't have any pet peeve.
My clients get the "stare" from me!
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melilley 11:04 AM 08-20-2014
Right now:

A certain child always coming in with a dirty face, arms, legs, and feet. He also has nails longer than mine, they are never cut. Coming in with clothes that do not fit.

Parents (specifically, 1 of mine) coming in talking on their phones.

Parents that do not work or have a lot of days off, but don't spend time with their kids.

Kids who don't know how to talk quietly.

Kids who sit at the table for an hour to eat.

Taking my time to send pictures of their child doing something and getting no response or thank you back.


Geez, just realized that most of my pet peeves stem from one family.
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melilley 11:06 AM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by KidGrind:
My pet peeve:

P-A-R-E-N-T-S
Luckily I only have one dcm that I don't really care for. She's not bad-like term bad, just super annoying.
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Childminder 11:11 AM 08-20-2014
1) Leaving keys in the car and/or vehicle running while they pick up or drop off
2) Not keeping extra clothing in the cubby.
3) Expecting nutritious food at day care but getting mountain dew and donuts on the way here or stopping at fast food joint on the way home.
4) Deciding that it's time for me to potty train their child when he/she is not anywhere near ready or not starting it at home.
5) Having to even bring up the issue of payment.
6) While parent in picking up their child and the parent is on the phone or texting. COME ON people! The child has been waiting to share his/her day with you show some attention.


In General:
1) Texting or talking on the phone while driving.
2) Going down the wrong side of the aisle when shopping and/or not looking before they step in front of you. This is especially bad at Costco in our area, DH says it's because we are so ethnically diverse and that their native countries drive on the opposite side.
3) Using the left hand turn lane as a merge lane.
4) When my DH takes the wrapper off of something and leaves it on the counter next to the garbage can.
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DaveA 11:14 AM 08-20-2014
Parents who try to put me in the middle of spouse/ ex disagreements.
I work with children because adults are too childish.
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Unregistered 11:22 AM 08-20-2014
Pet peeves:

1. Sausage pants. You know the ones I mean.
2. Parent who comes 5 minutes late, thinks I didn't notice, and wants to hear all about Little Schmoo-Moo's day.
3. Parent who comes 10 minutes late, whispers "Sorry", and rushes out. Then calls me from home so that I can tell them all about Little Schmoo-Moo's day. Yep, it's the same parent.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 11:22 AM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't have a lot of daycare pet peeves but these come to mind
  • Children capable of walking being carried in/out
  • Children paci's in their mouths 24/7
  • Sippy cups
  • Parents who use phrases such as "He/she won't let me" or "I tried to get them to...."
  • Parents who think EVERYTHING their kid does is cute, unique or "special"
  • Parent definitions of "gifted" "advanced" or "special"

Other pet peeves:

People who talk on their cells LOUDLY while shopping or especially when going through check out lines.

People who park in fire zones or no parking zones because "they are only going to be a minute"

People who allow their children to run amok in a public place, like stores or restaurants.

People who chew with their mouths open or talk with food in their mouths

People who do not use blinkers/turn signals, tail gate or are just plain old rude drivers

People who apologize and then add "But....".
YES to the bolded! Just witnessed it all today.
Almost 5yo carried in, like normal, 3yo wouldn't "let" mom change out of jammies, and 4.5yo rubbing his hands together and being told he is so cute.
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CraftyMom 11:31 AM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by KidGrind:
My pet peeve:

P-A-R-E-N-T-S
Yup! It all stems from here
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melilley 12:05 PM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Pet peeves:


3. Parent who comes 10 minutes late, whispers "Sorry", and rushes out. Then calls me from home so that I can tell them all about Little Schmoo-Moo's day. Yep, it's the same parent.
I have one who has come in on her cell phone, mouthed sorry and thank you to me and then has left. She then calls me hours later to ask about her son's day. I have learned to not pick up the phone for her after hours!
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nannyde 12:36 PM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by KidGrind:
My pet peeve:

P-A-R-E-N-T-S


He he he
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Shell 01:22 PM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by Childminder:
1) Leaving keys in the car and/or vehicle running while they pick up or drop off
2) Not keeping extra clothing in the cubby.
3) Expecting nutritious food at day care but getting mountain dew and donuts on the way here or stopping at fast food joint on the way home.
4) Deciding that it's time for me to potty train their child when he/she is not anywhere near ready or not starting it at home.
5) Having to even bring up the issue of payment.
6) While parent in picking up their child and the parent is on the phone or texting. COME ON people! The child has been waiting to share his/her day with you show some attention.


In General:
1) Texting or talking on the phone while driving.
2) Going down the wrong side of the aisle when shopping and/or not looking before they step in front of you. This is especially bad at Costco in our area, DH says it's because we are so ethnically diverse and that their native countries drive on the opposite side.
3) Using the left hand turn lane as a merge lane.
4) When my DH takes the wrapper off of something and leaves it on the counter next to the garbage can.
Having to even mention the issue of payment. AMEN to that!!!
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crazydaycarelady 01:50 PM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by :
My pet peeve:

P-A-R-E-N-T-S
Yes, this! It's rarely the kids and if it is I can change their behavior.
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Janiam 02:19 PM 08-20-2014
1) Parents that baby talk

2) The kids that are thirsty or hungry as soon as mom gets here

3) I forgot my checkbook or any version thereof

4) No call/ No show and don't want to pay for the day

5) People who set up interviews and don't call to cancel but try to set up another interview a week later....no thanks

6) The baby performance at drop off.....I think that should of been number one as it irritates me the most. The DCM's that do it come across as so needy that I would love to say ' put your big girl panties on and move along smartly'.
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Josiegirl 03:30 PM 08-20-2014
These are my major peeves:
Dcks whining so dcm gives in.
Yes on the dcks getting carried in and out plus dcm is usually loaded down with lots of other stuff.
Dcks not letting dcm go to work, kissing and hugging and calling her back, rapping on the windows, crying, pouting, oh my.
Dcg jumping all over my couch after repeatedly telling her not to, sitting on the top of the couch, running through the house, not leaving my dogs alone.
Dcgs want to bring things to my house which I don't mind but they don't want to carry them.
All these by the same 2 dcks.
Then there's the dcb who is terribly sneaky, is an instigator, sasses terribly, mocks me, then if he gets really mad about something he throws things, hits and kicks me. 6 yo and I cannot wait for school to start!
His sister who gets up about 10 times during every single nap time and is loud so nappers wake up early and are cranky for the rest of the day.

*sigh* This is why we have weekends. Just to recover from the stress.
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kathiemarie 04:23 PM 08-20-2014
I hate it when parent complains constantly about their job. Umm if you hate it so much quit and find something else or figure out a way to stay home with your kid. It CAN be done on one income!

When parents say how much they miss snowflake but never keep them home if they are off so they can have a "me" day. Have your fr****g me day on the weekend and have your husband watch the darn kid. Or take you "me" day but don't complain how snowflake likes me better than she likes you.

I guess I just don't like complainers!
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Controlled Chaos 09:52 PM 08-20-2014
Originally Posted by drseuss:
Anything that could be classified as non-parenting. "She wouldn't xyz" or "she made me buy xyz".
This is mine!

"She MADE me..." "He MAKES me.." No, that little person weighs only 30lbs they are incapable of making you do anything! lol Take ownership for your own actions parents!
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renodeb 11:25 AM 08-22-2014
Great thread!

- Kids wearing sandals, flip-flops or crocs after repeated reminders to wear sneakers.
- kids that are given huge sippies of milk at home and still want more at dc
-children arriving in last nights diaper
- Children wearing shoes a 1/2 -1 size to big and they wont stay on when there playing
-children who just point and grunt at things to get what they want. They cant do that here but they do at home.
- parents that complain about how expensive dc is then rollup in a new car the next day!
Heres my favorite one:
"My checkbook is in the car, do you want your check?"

and thats just off the top of my head! Believe it or not I really do love my job!
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KiddieCahoots 11:33 AM 08-22-2014
The never ending snotty nose, that mom will insist is an allergy or teething.
If I had a dime for every time I heard allergy or teething, I wouldn't have to work anymore.
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MOM OF 4 01:41 PM 08-22-2014
CHOMPING on food, including very loud chips, not just my DCK's when I had them but ANYONE...RUDE and ANNOYING
Gum chewing! Like it's the LAST piece of gum. When I see a MAN chewing, it's even worse! lol

Yesterday at gymnastics (my son's) a MILITARY mom was chomping her gum LOUDLY, had her FEET on the wall (of the gymnastics area), and was screaming into her cell (because it was loud and neither party could hear each other, but we ALL could hear what SHE was yelling) and then instead of telling her child to do as the coach was ordering, was letting her run back and forth to mommy, thereby irritating the coach. The entitlement everyone feels is disgusting! Military or not, it's RUDE to behave that way.
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AmyKidsCo 02:23 PM 08-22-2014
Parents who say they're going to pick up early then don't.

Oh, I said that already. Grrrr! Another one:

Parents who pick up later than normal - only on Fridays.
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Lynn825 07:12 AM 08-26-2014
Originally Posted by KiddieCahoots:
The never ending snotty nose, that mom will insist is an allergy or teething.
If I had a dime for every time I heard allergy or teething, I wouldn't have to work anymore.
That's the worst! I get that all the time...I never knew allergies were contagious until I started a daycare.

I had a DCG show up with pink eye and DCM tried to tell me it was a bug bite.
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Unregistered 09:52 AM 08-26-2014
My pet peeves are:

1. Parents stopping their conversation with me about their child's day to give full attention to the three year old interrupting.

2. Parents telling me to stop using a bottle for the one year old and just give him a cup at nap time but they give him bottles at home, resulting in screaming fits at nap time.

3. Early drop offs after being told and reminded when I open.

4. Parents that let their children run their home and I have to deal with the consequences every single day.
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coolconfidentme 10:25 AM 08-26-2014
Kids who SCREAM cuz it works at home.
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Little Buttons 10:32 AM 08-26-2014
1) Wanting a 15+ minute conference at the end of the day...every.single.day.I give a 2-3 minute synopsis but your child's day was just like every other day. If anything happens or changes I will let you know.

2) Over sharing about your personal issues and expecting me to play therapist.Your bill would be so much higher if that was my title!

3) Late night text messages about your kids...or anything really.

4) Bringing your kid hours late, unfed with breakfast in hand expecting me to feed them.If you want to let them sleep in to the point of making you late for work, that is your problem not mine! Don't expect me to compensate for your lack of time management skills!

5) Coming in the door every single morning with some overly dramatic story.Get it together! You have been doing this parenting thing for 18 months now!

6) Packing your kid nothing but packaged junk food for the day.

7) The D*mn car seat...smacking my walls, wrestling your child into it every day, using it still even though I have said and showed you so.many.times. that he is over the height limit for it.

8) Taking advantage of family!
***So many of these will be fixed once I am licensed!
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Unregistered 01:54 PM 08-27-2014
I honestly don't "care" what parents feed their children. I don't do the whole healthy vs nonhealthy food thing for the children I watch. I also think (I'm not criticizing just sharing my opinion) most children under 13 don't understand the concept anyway. Why is an apple that has sugar healthy but a donut not? I also think it sends the wrong message. "Never ever eat sugar/fat/junk food/ect". When there are healthy fats and sugars. I'm not saying anyone is teaching children never eat sugar or fat, but to children (and the way their minds work) saying "Don't eat donuts all day every day because they have fat/sugar" is translated to eating food with sugars/fat is bad.

On the subject of food, I hate when parents say a child is allergic to something or not allowed to have it (say because of diabetes or something) and I see them bring it in or something worse. That's why I switched to all meals/snacks are provided by guardian. I reduced my prices, I'm still saving money.

Children who are hot or cold when everyone else is fine. I mostly blame the parents, though. Like it's 20 degrees out, I have the HEAT on. I don't know why parents are sending their children to me in long johns, a t-shirt, stretch pants, jeans, and a sweater. The way my heating and cooling system works, I can't turn the heat/air off/up/down in just one room. These are children who ride in a car. I had to term on little girl this summer, because she kept complaining about being cold. She was a little witch in general, though. I'm just waiting for the winter "I'm hot!!!!"s to begin.

Parents or some family member who want to hang around all day. I've noticed it's mostly the "Aunt Jenny is here for the week and lives in Nevada and never sees Suzy. Can she spend the day here?" types. WTF? No. Keep them both in your home. The other students are just going to love seeing Suzy being smothered in attention while they miss their bio families. I did have one grandmother try this everyday. I ended up terming. I think because she didn't speak English, the family thought she could hang around and learn English. Not only was it annoying, she always demanded snacks and food. Um, no. The best was when I termed the mother was like "She wants to eat the lunch and snack, because she sees you eating it". I was like "I bought it!"

Siblings/relatives. It leaves me with two spots to fill when they leave and I've noticed the sibling/relative rivalries come with it. I noticed the older sibling/relative tends to encourage the younger one to do bad things. In a few cases, I've had the older sibling want bottles or diapers or something the younger one had.

Parents who cook the books so to speak. I take part timers, but I always tell them and sign the contract that they pay for the full time/full week price. On the other hand, they don't have to ask me to switch to full time and they never have to worry about something taking their spot. I've had parents who switch their children to full time or be late and claim, they don't have to pay me because I was getting over paid. "We pick up Suzy 2 hours before closing everyday. The fives minutes were late yesterday you got paid for". Um, no.
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hope 04:45 PM 08-27-2014
The parent that sticks around at pick up even when I tell her that I need to leave at closing. She will look at me and ask how her child was today. When I say good she looks at me confused bc I'm not giving her a response that is conversation worthy.

The parent that looks for a problem with their child. Is that a bump, a limp, a lazy eye, developmental delay.....your child is fine. Please enjoy them!

Any attempt at negotiating over my rates

Passive aggressive parents.
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Unregistered 06:07 PM 08-27-2014
Originally Posted by hope:
The parent that sticks around at pick up even when I tell her that I need to leave at closing. She will look at me and ask how her child was today. When I say good she looks at me confused bc I'm not giving her a response that is conversation worthy.

The parent that looks for a problem with their child. Is that a bump, a limp, a lazy eye, developmental delay.....your child is fine. Please enjoy them!

Any attempt at negotiating over my rates

Passive aggressive parents.
I don't mind negotiating, because it's a sign I won't sign that child up. I hate parents who just blindly agree to everything (including price) and then a month or so in are like, "Well..." Well, I'm just going with the next person on the waiting list. I don't feel bad, because there are a lot of centers around here. I think I'm more rigid/strict than others on here. I saw too many things I did NOT agree with when I worked for someone else. I feel you give parents an inch they will hang you with it.
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Jamey 03:05 PM 01-11-2019
Originally Posted by Shell:
Having to even mention the issue of payment. AMEN to that!!!
Yes amen. Having to be told that they paid all their other bills and have nothing left to pay you!!! Ummmm I should be the first bill paid. I am the reason you can go to work at all!! I have almost quit due to parents and the payment issues.
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Msdunny 06:23 AM 01-14-2019
These days, the main pet peeve that comes to mind is the moms who say "I know I shouldn't rock her to sleep, but...". Leaving me to deal with the child who cries themself to sleep, and than only naps for 45 minutes because they aren't being rocked.
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Flowerchild 08:06 AM 01-14-2019
Patents bringing kids in sick not acting like they are sivk. Or bringing them back thinking they are not sick and get away with it. Like bringing kids in with fever and lying or thinking were stupid and won't catch it
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CeriBear 07:29 AM 01-28-2019
Co-workers who treat 4yos as if they are toddlers. Pre-k kids are capable of wiping up their own spilled water and putting on their own coats. If not we are supposed to be teaching them instead of doing everything for them.
Co-workers who use threats and yelling to get the kids to stop doing something. I’ll raise my voice if a child is doing something where he or another child could get hurt but yelling at Tommy to pick up his toys or else he’ll go to time out gets no results.
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Tags:2014, pet peeves, venting
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