This kid is going to be the death of me...

[Momof4]

I see several things in your post that I would like to mention but I don't want to upset you, just trying to help, ok?

A 13 month old should be on solid food and able to feed themselves. Cut the food really small and every month a little bigger. Even children this age with NO teeth can eat solid food. But they do need practice.

I don't pick up children when they cry for no reason, although I will bend down and pat their back and head and talk to them about not crying unless they are hurt. I soothe them but tell them I will pick them up and hug them AFTER they STOP crying.

If a child takes a toy that is in the hands of another child I always make them give the toy back.

If parents don't work WITH me I will not continue. I believe the child will learn and thrive and be happier and healthier if things are consistent at home and at daycare. When an issue arises I always ask the parents 'This is what I'm seeing at daycare, how do you handle it at home?" I make it clear to the parents that I want to follow their lead but we MUST be doing the same thing or it won't work.

I don't let the children walk around with their sippie cups either. Food and drink are at the table. In the hot weather I take their juice or water every where we go so they can have some on demand but inside they have to be in the dining room.

I always ask for a supply of wipes to be replenished when they are only about half gone so that I get them before I run out. It's ridiculous that they aren't sending you a new package! I pay for the wipes that we use at the table and outside (tax deduction), but there's no way I'm paying for all the wipes necessary for diaper changes. That is a part of diaper supplies that the parents must bring.

If my little ones aren't in bed by 12:30 we have a meltdown situation, but our routine is no morning naps and afternoon naps run from 12:30-2:30ish.

Can you ask your own child to keep hands off for a while until this daycare child adjusts to whatever he is going through? As Reggio said, it may be a teething phase. That can throw children off in all kinds of ways because they can't figure out why they feel so rotten.

Don't cave on any of your rules or routines. For me, routine is key and the children's bodies know how our day transitions and are ready for it breakfast, outside or inside playing/learning, lunch, circle time, nap, snack, playtime. Again, it's my opinion that children NEED routines.