5 yr old shows up with a coffee!!!

This should have been my warning! Coffee...really?! Bingo...must be ADHD. First day today with a 5 & 8 year old that I have taken for the summer (every other week). I saw in interview that this kid was everywhere in the playroom...flitting from activity to activity in seconds (with no tidy up in between). I asked lots of questions about behaviour issues; nothing divulged. So, I chalked it up to a normal, excited 5 year old in a new place (with lots of stimulii around!). 8 year old has been a wonderful helper with my other little ones (I have a 1 day overlap; being all teachers kids, the last of my full-timers, are done for the summer today). I could cry; I so have my regular group well on their way to cleaning up as they go....these 2 new kids aren't happy doing one activity for more than 1 minute! My playroom was a complete disaster in 15 minutes (doesn't help that the taller 2 can reach all the stuff I have stored on upper shelves & activity bins). We all went to our local park; 5 min. in those 2 were tired and wanted to go back to the playroom (no way!). Not to mention, 5 year old so does not listen...that won't last long here, trust me. I am exhausted and it's only 10:45am! I just have them for 4 weeks, and I'm sure it will be easier when my age gap isn't so big; so I'm not going to leave this family stuck...but tell me it gets better.

Forgot to add...8 year old has been to the bathroom at least 10 times in the last 4 hours (she did this during interview too)... What's up with that?!

You mean he actually brought a coffee to drink????? Parents sent him with it? I am a bit flabergasted! I would definitely not allow such a thing to come with a child! I don't do school aged care, so I have no advice, only moral support to offer! Good luck!

I too can't offer much re: older kids BUT the coffee would not make it past my front door unless it was for ME!

Are they european? It's very common for kids to have coffee with a LOT of milk more like 3 parts milk 1 part coffee. Last time I visited 'backhome' my 3 & 7 year old cousin were having it for breakfast and it was a common thing there. I was like WTF? :laugh: but also used to be if you can reach the counter you can get a beer & smoke. It's a bit tougher now (have to be 16...OOoooOOoo) but if they are it's a "normal" to them.

where other than the title of this post is coffee discussed? Am I missing it?

Yeah I was kinda confused....

Please enlighten me, I want to help

Some parents give coffee to their kids with ADHD as an alternative to stimulant medications.

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Originally Posted by Starshine

Some parents give coffee to their kids with ADHD as an alternative to stimulant medications.

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Exactly; sorry, I should have clarified that one.

wow! Really? I had no idea!

Wow... I didn't know that about ADHD but even still I would not be ok with children having coffee in my care. Or before they come to my care haha. My 2 year son old once had a drink of my iced coffee (my head was turned BAH) and he hated it so now he stays away from it but that is the one experience I have with children and coffee. Caffine and children just do not seem to make a good mix in my head.

I have my fingers crossed for you that it gets better, perhaps ask the parents not to caffinate thier children before coming to care and see if they are better then?

So...update...I've addressed the caffeine issue (no outside food). New development; 5 year old has had a pee accident every day he's been here (despite frequent and lengthy bathroom trips...urinary tract infection possibly?). I've documented and communicated all to Mom. I also wonder if it's defiance...this little guy is a challenge; flat out "no" or total ignore to commands...extremely short attention span. I am exhausted. There is absolutely no downtime with these two. Quiet time is a joke. About an hour of me reminding. How on earth do you keep a 5 year old participating in quiet time if he can't seem to be still for even 1 minute (even at mealtimes he is up and down...requires constant reminders). He told me he was going to the bathroom; I follow after him a minute later...he's up in my kitchen going through my cupboards, or I've found him up 2 floors to my son's room playing his DS (I am really strict about daycare space boundaries...our upper 2 floors are family space and off limits). I've talked to Mom and she backs me up on any consequences I feel are necessary in enforcing/teaching. I spend so much of my day laying down the hammer that I am always shocked when they cry because they don't want to go home at the end of the day. 17 more days...but who's counting;)

Forgot to add; Mom comes to pick them up and says "I've freed things up at work and have decided to take the day off to spend with the kids...is it okay if they don't come tomorrow?"....I must have had the biggest smile...almost managed not to jump for joy;)

Oh wow ~ sounds like that little dude needs more than a 'home childcare environment' can provide him ... at least in a centre type setting there are extra hands to support him while others are still able to be there for the other children!

Yes, fortunately this is my low time of year...and I am fortunate to have my teacher husband off for the summer to ease the load. When I even think of doing this next summer...somebody send me a virtual kick, okay?

Wow dream, I would be exhausted too! Coffee for a child is a mindblower! But then, I didn't let my children have koolaid or pop either and wouldn't allow any of these things in my daycare either. But everything else you are describing makes me think of Judy's great advice......NEXT!

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Originally Posted by Momof4

Wow dream, I would be exhausted too! Coffee for a child is a mindblower! But then, I didn't let my children have koolaid or pop either and wouldn't allow any of these things in my daycare either. But everything else you are describing makes me think of Judy's great advice......NEXT!

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Oh boy do I think of that quote about 10 times a day!! But, Mom is a single Mom; going through a tough divorce (probably explains some behaviour issues). They are opposite weeks with each parent. The Childcare providor on opposite weeks (that the father found) quit on the 2nd day. I just don't have the heart...if this was a more long term arrangement; oh for sure...find someone else! For her to have to scramble and find someone else for 3 weeks of care & uproot once again these kids during a stressful time, no. Mom already approached me to take them on the other weeks as well....I just can't and won't. Thanks for letting me vent...much needed!!

Hey, I was a single Mom of 4 children and they were all properly nourished and dressed and disciplined! You see, that's why my children all turned out to be wonderful adults! It ticks me off when Moms use that excuse when they only have one child, haha, because it can be done and done well. And I worked outside the home all my life until 4 years ago when I started this career. It is difficult and stressful and exhausting when a child is going to two houses with two sets of rules and you throw daycare into the mix and there are 3 houses and 3 sets of rules. I understand that completely. But coffee? Let me guess, triple, triple with a donut on the side?

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Originally Posted by Starshine

Some parents give coffee to their kids with ADHD as an alternative to stimulant medications.

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FYI..........I think this is why for the coffee

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Originally Posted by Mamma_Mia

FYI..........I think this is why for the coffee

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Yup this was suggested for my stepson ~ we opted NOT to because the caffeine in a growing child has nasty side effects for health as well ... choosing treatment for a child with ADHD is not easy to say the least :(

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Originally Posted by Momof4

Hey, I was a single Mom of 4 children and they were all properly nourished and dressed and disciplined! You see, that's why my children all turned out to be wonderful adults! It ticks me off when Moms use that excuse when they only have one child, haha, because it can be done and done well.

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Amen to this. Momof4, I applaud you and all those like you. There is no excuse for poor parenting. The kids come FIRST. Your own bullshit comes a distant second.