Should I take her?

[Starshine]

I have two kids right now that are right around the 12-month mark, and I have a family that would like to have their daughter start with me (16-month-old). The other kids I have are all over 3. One of my 12-month-olds is leaving at the end of August, though. I am hesitant to accept her because I will then have 3 kids that are quite young, but it will only be for about 6 weeks, and then I will be down to just 2 young ones. Would you take her? I think having 3 that young, even for a short amount of time, is going to make it difficult to do things for the rest of the summer, field trips, splash pads, etc. Thoughts?

[Toregone]

I have one child under 18 mos in my program and I wish I had never taken him on. He has no "issues" I need to deal with I just do not like having kiddos that young. So the thought of having 3 for *any* length of time makes me cringe. But even if you dont mind children that young it will really limit the amount of stuff you can do over the summer. We live in Canada, summer is prime time. You might regret missing out on stuff when you're cooped inside day in and day out come this winter.

[Crayola kiddies]

Well I figure if you already have two one yr olds your kinda limited anyway aren't you? Don't the 12 month olds still nap in the morning? I find that splash pads aren't really for 1 yr olds anyway ... Most of them hate the squirting water and the water is so cold ..... Personally I prefer to bring them in at that age cause then I can train them the way I want and by the time the winter comes this 16 month old will be almost two and will be able to play outside instead of having to be in a stroller or sled ..... I have one that's 15 months right now and in sept I'm getting a 22 month old and i hope to find one more young one for the fall. So my answer is.... why not ? You have the older ones that will play together and the younger ones that will begin to play together and like you said it's only for 6 weeks and it saves you looking for someone to fill the spot at a later date. Interviewing ... Not my favorite pastime.

[michellesmunchkins]

I would for sure take her but I'm the opposite of some members on here. I love the younger ones and the older ones I'm ready to send out the door by the time they are 3 (unless they have been with me because then I got to train them lol). I find when my group is all around the same age it makes things so much easier. I get frustrated with the bigger age gaps and how to keep everyone entertained. I like getting them at 12 months because although they might have some 'issues' from being home with mom/dad its so much easier to re-train those issues away at a younger age Plus, I love a baby fix!!!

[Crayola kiddies]

Well I like to have small age gaps so they dont all leave for school at the same time and I have to fill several spaces I would rather just have to fill one or two at a time .... I don't like getting them at three cause then they are gone in a year and I have to Interview and integrate again

[Inspired by Reggio]

Ya we are all going to have different priorities ~ ultimately you have to weigh what is more important to you ~ the stability of the continuity of income since you know you are loosing another one in 6 weeks or the freedom over the course of the summer to do field trips and so forth?

Do you think you can line up another replacement for your one leaving or will you end up being down 'two kids' if you pass this one up in favor of easier summer?

Do you 'need' the income or can you budget for a buffer of being low to enjoy the quiet summer at the splash pads without 3 under 2?

For ME I would have to pass even though it is only six weeks cause the extra infant would mean I was stuck at home all summer cause I do not have a triple stroller to transport kids around AND the risk to my back from the extra lifting and bending with that many wee ones could result in me being not able to work at ALL so better to forgo the income of 1 than the income of the other 4 cause I am laid up in traction again.

But if I was young and spry, needed the income and did not go snaky being stuck on my property 5 days a week all day ~ in a heartbeat cause I do love the wee age group and they are more inclined to be with you for longer!

[Crayola kiddies]

Ahhhh yes Reggio I am in the country with no neighbours and stuck on my property 5 days a week .... It boggles my husbands mind as too why I disappear all weekend running errands, grocery shopping , visiting friends and so forth and not stay at home and work in the yard and enjoy the peaceful solitude.....he works two jobs and is gone from 9 am to 10:30 pm four days a week and cant wait to be at home in his oasis for three days ... He truly can't figure out why I need to get away from here on my days off

[sunnydays]

I would take her! I have three 17-18 month olds and even when they were 12-13 months, we still went out to the park etc. Yes, we have to work around morning naps, but we still get out 2-3 times a week and that is fine for me There are some outings we can't do (like the RCMP stable tour I had signed up for until I was told I couldn't take a stroller...there is no way I could take them all out with no stroller!). I think Reggio hit the nail on the head when she said it really depends on your situation in terms of income, ability to fill the space, comfort with having so many little ones.

[Starshine]

Thanks for the replies. I'm really torn! In terms of income, I don't need it right now, but I will need it come September. However, I am confident that I will be able to fill that space with someone else. It would be nice just to know it's filled though, but I don't know how difficult those 6 weeks would be. I don't have a stroller for 3, just a double, so I would have to put one of the little ones in a carrier when we go out--which is going to be pretty uncomfortable in this heat!

[Momof4]

I understand your reluctance to be grounded and unable to get out to splashpads and parks. That's me too. I have the little backpacks with the rope on them that I call my 'toddler restraint systems' and any child aged 2 or 3 wears them and walks beside me and the double stroller. It takes a while for some children to catch on, but my new 2 1/2 year old boy was a pro the first day he tried it out. That's how we travel SAFELY!