Furious at this parent!!

[bright sparks]

So yesterday "that" kid picked a hole in the top of my daughters mattress right through to the stuffing. He sleeps either on top of her bed or my bed with a blanket. He obviously woke up early and was messing. He stripped her bed completely removing all of her sheets. He picked a hole about the size of a golf ball and stuffing is coming out.

I told mum who didn't say anything. I get it, at a loss for words, especially given how many negative reports I've given her recently about this kid. Her son started getting angry and saying horrible things as attention seeking in front of us both. I physically moved him because he wouldn't do as he was asked and she wasn't doing anything and I turned my back on him. I showed mum a photo of the damage and she didn't say anything. As she was leaving she mumbled and muttered with a half ass awkward embarrassed laugh saying send me the bill won't you. My response to my child behaving like this would have been , "Oh my goodness, I am soooo sorry. Please let me know how much it will cost to replace." I would be bending over backwards apologizing. Yes I may feel embarrassed of my child's behaviour, but I would make it very clear how sorry I was and would be looking to rectify things ASAP. Even more so given that we have had a business relationship for 5 years between both her kids.

I was going to try and fix it, maybe darn it with a thick synthetic thread...but who am I kidding. If the thread is to strong, it will just cause the material to rip on the other side of the original tear because of the tension. If I use a regular thread, it will snap. So much pressure is put on the area of the bed effected by my growing teenage daughter, inevitably this is going to break further, tomorrow, next week in a month, eventually. I don't have a spare grand to replace it, especially at this point two weeks before officially becoming unemployed.

So another parent drops off this morning, telling me how they'd bumped into a couple of kids last night. One was at the daycare centre they'd been to see as the other family had a back to back appointment. Then they were walking home past the ice cream store, and yes you guessed it. "That" kid and his sister and mother not much more than an hour after I told her what he'd done, were happily enjoying an ice cream cone each. WTF!?! I was absolutely livid when I found that out. I'm not suprised at all, but so annoyed because so many of his behavioural issues are as a result of being spoilt and lack of discipline and this is just the icing on the cake.

I was nervous about asking for such a high ticket item to be replaced, but screw it. It's in my contract that any damage incurred as a result of inappropriate play or malicious behaviour will be at their full expense to fix or replace.

I'm friends with this woman, and a few things over the last 6 months have had me questioning it. This is my breaking point. Kids will be kids, going through their naughty stages and I'm sure he'll grow out of it. Parents can parent their child anyway they see fit, but when their choices and actions result in things like this at my house, nobody should expect me to be polite about it.

I'm going to talk to her at the door today about how I'm going to get her a written quote from The Brick for a new mattress and she needs to pay me Monday for it. If it costs us our friendship and she gets all arsy with me, then it just further reinforces that this wasn't a positive person to have as a friend and just lets me know that she clearly has no morals.

I'm really disappointed and upset that my daycare work is ending with all of these behavioural issues and conflicts. I wanted so badly to have a lovely happy fun packed notice period to end this career chapter on a high with good memories.

[5 Little Monkeys]

That really sucks!! I'm sorry that it happened!

Hope you guys can come to a solution that makes both parties happy!

[bright sparks]

That really sucks!! I'm sorry that it happened!

Hope you guys can come to a solution that makes both parties happy!

I called Sealy to see if it's even feasible for it to be fixed and all the while not voiding the warranty. I'm waiting to hear back and hopefully before pick up time so I've got something to tell his mother.

[babydom]

You are not alone!! Although mine is worst. The neighbours kids broke the handle off of my seesaw little tikes slide climber. Cost 250$ for that and it was my daycare kids favorite. I was so upset. One it was WEEKS after I got rid of it when she said oh you got rid of the seesaw and I said well I had to someone broke the handle and it was dangerous for the kids. She was like oh ya that was my kid!!! One she didn't even tell me her kid did it. Two she didn't even say sorry and three I asked for a replacement and she is refusing. These big climbers are always out on my front lawn because our backyard is small. So I said well he can't play on them then if he's just going to break it. But like she's going to listen when I'm not around. This is the neighbour I gave countless free daycare for cuz they needed help. And now I just found out they came into a lot of money and she's bragging how they're going on a trip and buying another car. But yet you can't even buy my kids a new slide or repay me for all the free daycare. Urgh!! Sorry that's my rant. At least you have a contact and it's a daycare kid. Sooooo get the mom to replace it. Such selfish ppl in this world.....sigh!!!

[bright sparks]

That sucks! Although the mattress cost $1000 and it's in my contract for this parent to pay for replacement, I can't imagine what would happen if it was a neighbours kid!!

[babydom]

I know. That's what I was saying. I know your item costed more but at least u have it in writing to get the mom to pay. I should get my neighbour to sign something if she wants her kid to use my items. Lol

[playfelt]

As annoying as the parent's reaction is the problem is we are already being paid to supervise the children and that includes during naptime. So if we leave them unsupervised and they wake up and decide to play then it is really on us not the parents. At the same time getting up and playing with your daughter's toys or reading one of her books is one thing but doing what was done is wilful destruction but how long would the child have to have been awake unsupervised to do that degree of damage.

[kindertime]

I totally get that this isn't the point - but if Sealy isn't going to fix it and the mom doesn't cough up the money, (cuz, honestly, with only a couple more days till you close... why would she?) You could try a patch. I don't know if you can sew, but it's what I would try. Go to a fabric store and buy the smallest piece of upholstery fabric you can (maybe 1/4 yd) and make a patch. Tell the person at the store what you need, they might be able to help you. You are right, darning isn't an option, but a patch might work.

But seriously! To strip the bed and spend that much time doing that much damage, that's not normal. I don't think that's a phase. He's doing this stuff at home too. Gotta be! Good luck.

[kindertime]

Oh and if you did go that route, get an upholstery needle. They are curved for use on flat things where you can't pull through to the other side.

[bright sparks]

As annoying as the parent's reaction is the problem is we are already being paid to supervise the children and that includes during naptime. So if we leave them unsupervised and they wake up and decide to play then it is really on us not the parents. At the same time getting up and playing with your daughter's toys or reading one of her books is one thing but doing what was done is wilful destruction but how long would the child have to have been awake unsupervised to do that degree of damage.

I'm furious at the parents response to this behaviour by taking her kid to get ice cream. It is our responsibility to watch their child, but if it was intended for a child to be watched over for every single minute of naptime, rates would be higher and the ratio would be 1:1. Obviously this is impossible.

How many times as a provider left the room to pee and come back two minutes late to find all sorts of havoc has let loose. Also this is a naughty kid, who goes out of his way to be deceitful and he has a track record. I check every kid at least once an hour and should there be any noises, much more frequently. This child has been with me for over 3 years. One incident at naptime when he was on a nap mat on the floor was when he very quietly got up, removed his soiled diaper and smeared poo all over the carpet. Is that really as a result of me not doing my job properly? Or simply the reality of a caregiver seeing a child sleeping at routine checks and going about their other tasks for naptime. He has been sleeping in our rooms for over a year and there hasn't been a single incident. He gave me no cause for concern regardless of how he behaves during awake hours. I didn't charge this parent for the poop because it comes with the territory, but if I can not trust a child to lay down and sleep or rest, or do as they are told without fear of them being destructive, then what am I to do? Don't under estimate a child who is acting destructively with intent and full knowing that what they are doing. Sneaky and smart, even at this age. I've turned my back for a minute and seen him push a kid off the chair because my back is turned. I've heard this kid say to another kid when a chair was given up, "come and sit here quickly before so and so comes back" That is really nasty and malicious behaviour for a 4 year old. Fitted sheets, off in a minute or two maximum. Picking pulling at threads. He would have only had to have got to pulling just right to start that hole and the rest is history once he got his fingers in it.

[bright sparks]

I totally get that this isn't the point - but if Sealy isn't going to fix it and the mom doesn't cough up the money, (cuz, honestly, with only a couple more days till you close... why would she?) You could try a patch. I don't know if you can sew, but it's what I would try. Go to a fabric store and buy the smallest piece of upholstery fabric you can (maybe 1/4 yd) and make a patch. Tell the person at the store what you need, they might be able to help you. You are right, darning isn't an option, but a patch might work.

But seriously! To strip the bed and spend that much time doing that much damage, that's not normal. I don't think that's a phase. He's doing this stuff at home too. Gotta be! Good luck.

I intended to sew it, kind of like darning to give it some reinforcement. Even looked into patching it. Problem there is that it voids my warranty and this mattress is only 5 years old. I'm waiting to hear back from Sealy in case there is the option to have them professionally repair it. I imagine pricey, but still a cheaper option than a replacement. That said, The Brick have 50% off at the moment so likely the $1000 ticket would at least be reduced to about 5 or 600. That being said, Why should I care about her purse strings when she's rewarding her child for such behaviour.

[5 Little Monkeys]

As annoying as the parent's reaction is the problem is we are already being paid to supervise the children and that includes during naptime. So if we leave them unsupervised and they wake up and decide to play then it is really on us not the parents. At the same time getting up and playing with your daughter's toys or reading one of her books is one thing but doing what was done is wilful destruction but how long would the child have to have been awake unsupervised to do that degree of damage.

Yes, that's a good point too. I've had children break (on purpose) items but I've never thought to make the parents pay as I feel I should have been supervising better. One of my old dck's was sooo disruptive during nap and that's the reason Ive invested in 2 video monitors lol. Checking in on them 1-2x an hour wasn't enough with this child!

However, she has it in her contract so the parents should be prepared to pay if she asks. I do agree with another poster that it may be hard to make them pay though.

It really sucks though because it is a high ticket item!

[Suzie_Homemaker]

If this child has pattern of sneaky behaviour, not following rules, being disruptive, I would have him sleep in main area where I can see him.

[bright sparks]

If this child has pattern of sneaky behaviour, not following rules, being disruptive, I would have him sleep in main area where I can see him.

In the 3 years he has been here there has only been one incident during nap time and it was the Poo incident which was a good 18 months ago. Even if he slept on the main floor, the only way he would be under constant watch is if I sat over him constantly. He wouldn't sleep well, I'd get nothing done And he would more than likely be a worse kid post nap time as a result. Needless to say, today he slept in a play pen.

[bright sparks]

Yes, that's a good point too. I've had children break (on purpose) items but I've never thought to make the parents pay as I feel I should have been supervising better. One of my old dck's was sooo disruptive during nap and that's the reason Ive invested in 2 video monitors lol. Checking in on them 1-2x an hour wasn't enough with this child!

However, she has it in her contract so the parents should be prepared to pay if she asks. I do agree with another poster that it may be hard to make them pay though.

It really sucks though because it is a high ticket item!

Even with a video monitor, I'd have to sit staring at it constantly. It's unrealistic to do that. Also I'd need to purchase numerous given that these kids don't all sleep together. I think it's completely acceptable to check in frequently without the need for these cameras. So this sounds like a toss up over the question of whether I was supervising properly or not. This wasn't damage that occurred because I wasn't in the room when I should have been, or a child playing inappropriately. This was malicious behaviour from a child old enough to know better during a time when he shouldn't have done this and should be able to be left unattended TO NAP, with regular check ins. He did not have any kind of track record at nap time regardless of how he acts outside of nap time. He never ever gave me cause for concern. He's a kid after all and can't always control his urges or realize the consequences of his actions. Shit happens to all of us. Again though...my concern and anger is not actually directed at his actions merely his mothers rewarding with ice cream and lack of discipline and how this has directly contributed to him being a toxic little three year old when he is at daycare. I mentioned at pick up today that I was waiting to hear back from Sealy about getting it fixed but it didn't seem likely. I also said that the brick has mattresses 50% off currently so at least it would be a much cheaper replacement. She laughed and said something to her son along the lines of come on kid I'll have to go search for a second job if you carry on like this.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Well hopefully she pays up since this is what she agreed to in the contract.

As for video monitors, I will always highly reccomend them. I for sure do not constantly stare at it but if they make a noise I hear it and it's much more convenient than checking in all the time (and risk waking them!! Lol) I have 2 monitors but only use one right now as they thankfully are great nappers and all in one room. Most days I just have to turn it on towards end of nap so I can hear when they're awake. My disruptive one had to sleep in the kitchen. That little stinker put a hole in his playpen one day!

[bright sparks]

Well hopefully she pays up since this is what she agreed to in the contract.

As for video monitors, I will always highly reccomend them. I for sure do not constantly stare at it but if they make a noise I hear it and it's much more convenient than checking in all the time (and risk waking them!! Lol) I have 2 monitors but only use one right now as they thankfully are great nappers and all in one room. Most days I just have to turn it on towards end of nap so I can hear when they're awake. My disruptive one had to sleep in the kitchen. That little stinker put a hole in his playpen one day!

Did he put the hole in his playpen even with the video monitor or did you purchase one after the fact?

[Lee-Bee]

They sound like they have no ability and no desire to discipline their child. To make the comment you will need a second job to pay for the damage your child is doing is ridiculous! How old is the child?

I hope they do pay up. It sounds like they may, sounds like this isn't the first time they have paid for their children's actions!

If they don't. Is it a mattress that can be flipped? Maybe a combination of sewing a solid patch on it then flipping it so the patch is on the bottom and isn't getting pulled as much will help.

I have a video monitor that has 4 cameras. So I only have to carry one receiving device for 4 rooms. It was a life saver when I had 5 children in daycare here. Now that I am down to only 2 kids I use 2 of the cameras in the upstairs playroom. I can monitor the room while doing some house work. Even on the lowest volume setting I can hear my daughter tossing and turning so I'd know if she was awake. Because of this I keep the volume off at night but have the video on so if I hear her calling out I wake and look to see if she needs me or not. With this I am pretty sure you'd have heard him stripping the bed down.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Did he put the hole in his playpen even with the video monitor or did you purchase one after the fact?

After. He was the reason I invested in them lol. I had to check in on him 2-4x an hour as he was a terrible napper but needed that quiet time or he was an absolute bear in the afternoon!

[mickyc]

My video monitor turns off when there is quiet, as soon as someone makes noise the screen turns back on. I love it.

It sounds like mom is expecting to pay. Hopefully everything works out

[playfelt]

Why is it any business of yours what the mom does after hours - just because the kid was a brat at daycare doesn't mean mom and daughter etc have to suffer and why should mom have to deal with temper tantrum by refusing child dessert. The other side of the coin is parent shows up at the door and says child misbehaved before coming and therefore dont' let him go outside to play today or don't let him go on the museum trip or don't let him go in the splash pad - are you really going to cancel the promised plans for everyone else and stay home or deal with a tantruming child on your outing when the "problem" was between the child and parent.

[Lou]

Why should mom have to deal with a temper tantrum??? Because she is a mother and it is her job to parent. My son is 5. If I was told that he destroyed something at school, you can sure as hell bet that he would not be getting any special privileges that evening, so that I was working WITH his teacher to promote better behaviour in the future at both home and school. They know better at that age, it's not like it was a 2 yrs old.

[Lou]

Anyways, I totally get your frustration Bright! I would be furious too that my expensive property was destroyed...especial ly by a child who is old enough to know better, and then find out that his behaviour was rewarded by a trip to the ice cream store. Vent away!

[bright sparks]

Why is it any business of yours what the mom does after hours - just because the kid was a brat at daycare doesn't mean mom and daughter etc have to suffer and why should mom have to deal with temper tantrum by refusing child dessert.

It's my business when as a direct result of her lack of disciplining this child ongoing and chronically which it is, her child comes into my home, my daycare and regularly causes problems. That is what makes it my business. I also have a relationship with this family outside of daycare so have seen for years that their is a massive lack of discipline with both her kids even prior to the divorce. I am Emergency contact for her kids school, when her son went to hospital one night with calculator buttons stuck up his nose, I took her daughter as a friend would and fed her and bathed her because I am her friend. When mum is to go have surgery on a cancellation list and needs a last minute ride to and from hospital at a moments notice and I'm not available, my husband goes, because we are friends. I have a relationship with this family, I am invested for money on our contracted days and outside of that as a friend. Not by manipulation but because over the last 5 years I have developed a relationship with the kids mother. Our friendship is based on honesty and she thanks me for my honesty outright even when she doesn't want to hear it. If a parent or friend alike doesn't want to know my opinion, then they shouldn't ask. During working hours I tread very carefully not crossing the line, and as a friend I am honest, do not pacify, but also always stay conscious of the fact that we are all human and I can remain kind without sugar coating it. This woman asks me all the time, at least the last 12 months as things have got really bad, what can I do, what can I do. I have told her that she needs to discipline him and offer consequences for her mouth is empty threats, or you give him friggin ice creams and toys left, right and centre even though he is being destructive which is very different than being a brat....AND as a direct result his behaviour isn't improving. She is human and makes mistakes, or has a different parenting style and I don't have to like it, but yes playfelt, it is absolutely my business when she makes it my business by constantly complaining to me, asking for helping and not following my advice to even give it a try, and then sending her child into my home whose behaviour is escalating as a result of her actions, who then intoxicates the dynamic of all my 2 year olds who now parrot him on a level I have never seen before resulting in parents complaining. I told mum after he bit my son the other day, in front of me, that if I weren't closing, I would be giving immediate notice because his behaviour has escalated so much. This wasn't an ice cream for desert, this was pacification and feeding into the problem, which directly impacts me so makes this my business!


because the kid was a brat at daycare doesn't mean mom and daughter etc have to suffer and why should mom have to deal with temper tantrum by refusing child dessert

...because that's called parenting and how the kids learn. Lesson for him and lesson for his older sister. This was a treat. I know because that is the exact word she uses to say lets go for ice cream as a treat. The child caused a good $1000 worth of damage, I wouldn't compare that to a bratty child throwing a temper tantrum because they didn't get their own way.

[babydom]

All I can say is that u sound like you have a lot of patience. By the sounds of this child I'd be sooooo letting him go like 3 years ago. Lol. Thank goodness your almost done....hang in there!!!

[TinyTwigs]

I definitely get both sides. I would be livid if that ever happened to me but at the same time it's not your place or business to tell someone how to treat/discipline their child. If she took him out for ice cream then so be it, its not your place to get mad or to even stress out about something like that.
Friends or not do you really think she's going to change her parenting style for you? Clearly not bc if she did her sons behaviour would have changed and it clearly hasn't. Your biggest mistake was keeping him on and not terminating after everything you listed he did.
He sounds like a little punk and I would have kicked his ass out after the shit smears on the walls! That isn't typical temper tantrum behaviour that was extreme brat behaviour and would I never put up with that. I would have billed the parents for the cleaning lady to come disinfect my walls. I don't put up with behaviour like that from my own kids there's no way I would do it for strangers.
You're stressing yourself over something that you can't change bc even after you this something his new daycare provider or teacher will have to deal with it's not going to change bc the parents don't seem to care.
Forget about it and focus on the positive you have going for you!;)

[TinyTwigs]

Ps I wanted to add that I do not agree with the ice cream reward but then again that's something that isn't my business. Some kids a spoiled brats and this is how their parents raise them. If my kids EVER did anything like that they know their ass is grass. All privileges would be taken away for a min of 3 months. I have never had an issue ever again after grounding lol

I know some people will argue that since we have a small number of children we co parent blah blah blah. There is no co parenting done on my part and there never will be. I have my rules and expectations and if that doesn't work for the parents then see yah later. My job is to educate someone's child using the preschool curriculum not to parent then. I do not get paid to parent I get paid to teach, feed, assist with potty training and discipline/redirect when necessary. I feel may providers try to wear many hats and at the end of the day there is only so much you can do for these parents and raising their children isn't our job it's theirs.

[bright sparks]

Just to clarify though, I haven't told her how to parent, and while I'm furious at what commenced with the ice cream, I'm not confronting her about it, I've come here to vent instead. I'm human, and I'm allowed to feel what I feel which is seriously annoyed. As I mentioned earlier, this behaviour has only become increasingly bad over the last 6-12 months and it's not been daily, like in waves and recently there has just been a series of massive incidents, everything else I've been happy to work on as what I would consider, normal all be it bad, 3 year old behaviour. I think also knowing I was closing, I've likely put up with more than I should have knowing this. Also, I think it's much easier to say what we would do in a situation when we aren't in it.

This boy was also 2 1/2 when he smeared poo on the carpet, and it wasn't malicious, naughty yes, but not simply to be awful. Never happened again, and he was all together a different child.

[bright sparks]

As an update on the mattress...Sealy are sending me an iron on patch that they have. Will prevent further tearing and said its impossible to pull off. Given the size of the hole, they said stitching it wouldn't work. By applying their patch, my warranty is still good too. I'll hear back Monday or Tuesday as to the cost, but it will save me invoicing the parent such a large amount and dealing with that drama when really all I want is for it to be made good. I'd also sooner not end things on such a sour note regardless of how she chooses to parent her kid. When it's all over, I'd really like to take positive memories of my last days doing this with me.

[TinyTwigs]

I never implied in my post that YOU specifically were parenting anyone's child. I said in general I know providers do that. Smearing poop on the walls or floor isn't normal behaviour and I wouldn't put up with that and also if he changed and was altogether a different child I don't think you would have a hole in your mattress.
I am on your side here lol The poop smears and mattress incidents alone make me fume for you lol I can't even believe there was more in between!

[bright sparks]

I never implied in my post that YOU specifically were parenting anyone's child. I said in general I know providers do that. Smearing poop on the walls or floor isn't normal behaviour and I wouldn't put up with that and also if he changed and was altogether a different child I don't think you would have a hole in your mattress.
I am on your side here lol The poop smears and mattress incidents alone make me fume for you lol I can't even believe there was more in between!

I think it happens more often than you think that a child takes a diaper off at nap time and messes with it. What's normal for one kid is not for another and it's absolutely normal for a child to test boundaries even if sometimes that means acting out in an extreme way. A lot of kids can not control their impulses. My daughter smeared Poo all over her cot at 14 months, so she isn't normal....that's fine, she turned out okay. It was a one off and because I handled it in a certain manner, it didn't happen again. Or maybe it was just shear luck lol Huge difference between a 2 year old doing that and a 4 year old. Kids go through phases and his behaviour at 2 would have been due to different reasons than his acting out over the past 6 months and he wasn't a naughty kid back then. As I said, was an isolated incident. I'm not a push over nearly 10 years in my job. If it had been chronic back then, I would have termed but it wasn't. I also think it is normal for two and three year olds to go through phases that even when very bad, can be resolved. If I'd terminated at every episode of bad behaviour Id have no kids. Even when something huge occurs, I think every child deserves some extra effort to help them overcome these issues. It's only his recent spout of incidents and his bad attitude over the last 6 months that has become a chronic problem. And as I said, had it not been for my planned closure, he would have been gone already.

I also didn't take it as providers in general that you were refering to as you clearly stated a few times the word "you" in relation to the subject matter. I get it though. The beauty of this kind of communication and how easily info is misinterpreted. Thanks for clarifying though.

[Lee-Bee]

I never implied in my post that YOU specifically were parenting anyone's child. I said in general I know providers do that. Smearing poop on the walls or floor isn't normal behaviour and I wouldn't put up with that and also if he changed and was altogether a different child I don't think you would have a hole in your mattress.
I am on your side here lol The poop smears and mattress incidents alone make me fume for you lol I can't even believe there was more in between!

Oddly enough smearing poop is actually a fairly common incident with toddlers. I've known many perfectly normal, well behaved children that have done this.

Doing this continually, in addition to other red flag behaviors is another story but as a one off incident it is indeed fairly 'normal'.

[TinyTwigs]

No I did not mentions you in anyway for parenting/co parenting. If you look up in the conversation you can see I never mentioned your name and said "some providers".

Everyone has different opinions as to what they find as normal/not normal behaviour. Just like the opinions with the ice cream treat.

As for you implying that I said your child wasn't normal for smearing poo on the walls or floor I never said that. I simply said that that type of BEHAVIOUR wasn't normal and for me personally I don't think it is and that is just the way I see it. I have four kids and many nieces and nephews and friends with kids and that it something that has never happened.
Many might find it perfectly normal but I my opinion I don't after the age of two.
Thanks

[Van]

/
wow!!!! Bright Sparks what a end to your home daycare career, if it was me I would be running to university looking forward to all the new changes even if I was nervous about it all and close the book on daycare for good , and enjoy your holiday with your family in England

[bright sparks]

/
wow!!!! Bright Sparks what a end to your home daycare career, if it was me I would be running to university looking forward to all the new changes even if I was nervous about it all and close the book on daycare for good , and enjoy your holiday with your family in England

Thanks so much for the well wishes Van. I'm looking forward to University for sure, but I'm also a little sad closing this chapter even when there are little buggers like this fella lol I've had the luxury of being here for my own kids 24/7 and like anything, you don't know what you've got till its gone. I'm going to miss that aspect a lot, but I know that it is the right time and will give them greater opportunities for independence.

7 more daycare days till I close and 11 more days till we go on our 3 week vacation. Baptism, Bridal Shower and Wedding in England, Family reunion on my husbands side coming together from Canada, UK and Portugal and then a vacation just the 4 of us to stay in a treehouse in France with a stop off in Belgium along the way. I CAN'T WAIT!! :) Going to be our last vacation for a long while.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Can I come too???? :)

Enjoy!!

[Van]

Give a little wave when you are flying over Ireland for me :)
Enjoy

[daycaremom9]

Thanks so much for the well wishes Van. I'm looking forward to University for sure, but I'm also a little sad closing this chapter even when there are little buggers like this fella lol I've had the luxury of being here for my own kids 24/7 and like anything, you don't know what you've got till its gone. I'm going to miss that aspect a lot, but I know that it is the right time and will give them greater opportunities for independence.

7 more daycare days till I close and 11 more days till we go on our 3 week vacation. Baptism, Bridal Shower and Wedding in England, Family reunion on my husbands side coming together from Canada, UK and Portugal and then a vacation just the 4 of us to stay in a treehouse in France with a stop off in Belgium along the way. I CAN'T WAIT!! :) Going to be our last vacation for a long while.

Oh wow bright sparks that sounds like such an awesome vacation! Have a blast and enjoy your new life.

[bright sparks]

Got a call 5:30 yesterday afternoon from Sealy saying they don't have the iron on labels anymore. Crap!! Waiting to hear back from management now as to the warranty if I get my own patch. It's not looking good for this kids mother after todays behaviour along with what looks like a full mattress replacement. It's not like I'm not trying to find a solution that works for both of us, but I want to protect my investment and not be stuck with the expense of replacing the mattress in a couple of years because her sons actions voided the warranty...gahhh what a last couple of weeks!

[daycaremom9]

Well if you had any reservations about your decision, this only makes you feel better about everything and you will not be second guessing yourself.