How much do you love your dc kids?

I was actually thinking about this yesterday and am glad to see this thread here today! I am not overly affectionate with my DC kids...if one of them comes to me for a hug then of course I give it, and when they are hurt or scared I comfort them right away, but that's about it. I tend to leave it up to the kid how close they like to get and find that it varies a lot. But there certainly are parents out there who think we should be hugging and kissing these kids all the time and that just doesn't come naturally to me.

I agree with the others. I love my own children, and I love my grandchildren. I like my daycare children just fine. They are adorable. But love them like my own? Are you kidding? Their parents can pull them from my care at any time, and if I got attached to them, that would be sad. If any of these children left, I'd probably wonder how they were doing, and would be delighted if the parent sent an update once in a while, but I wouldn't cry or miss them. I'm sure if I ran into them in public we'd have a big hug and hello, but in the end, they are my clients. My love is reserved for my children and grandchildren.

A lot of parents these days equate love with stuff so they show love to their kids by buying them gifts or making their favourite lunch more so than in hugs and kisses which is sad. Compared to parents though we do come across as cold and distanced with the children. That doesn't mean as others have said that we don't know when a hug or cuddle or soothing words is necessary it is just that we reserve them for when needed and keep our professional distance otherwise. We do walk that fine line of sexual accusations should we be forcing the kids to hug us or giving them kisses or raspberries on their tummy. That is not our place. If I bump into a daycare family in the community almost certainly the kids run up and give me a hug. I have one now that hugs me and says bye every night and I graciously accept it but I don't demand it and truly I am jut as happy to see them all go hugs or waves or nothing.

That's a good point too Playfelt. I don't kiss my dck's or give raspberries, etc...although I will kiss a bo-bo on the finger etc...but I do give lots of hugs and cuddles. I would never force a child to cuddle or hug though. I will scoop them up and tickle or snuggle, but not if they are resisting in any way.

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Originally Posted by BlueRose

I am the same way. They are my clients NOT my kids. I feel that I would be disrespecting my children if I "loved" the daycare kids. I do like the kids in my care, but no hugs or kisses from me, those are for my kids.

If a parent wants someone to love their kids then maybe they should take the time to do it. JMO

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i definitely don't love the dck's like i love my own son. i don't think that's even humanly possible. it's a totally different relationship. i don't cry when they leave my care. i don't coddle whining or wimpy behavior. i don't have patience for that kind of stuff. i am strict with the rules and would sometimes look downright "mean" to a parent who thinks you should never lay down the law.

that having been said, i'm baffled that it would be considered "disrespecting your own children" to be loving, warm, and showing physical affection to the dcks. i hold them, cuddle them, kiss them, and tell them i love them. i feel children deserve that kind of care, and for me personally, it's not hard to give. i think it benefits my son to see that i have enough love to go around, and that i don't love him less while i love others, too.