Am I just a "mean" provider?

[Mamma_Mia]

I agree with above and I would for sure say it in front of the parents.

It's a big HELLO that the child CAN do it if you MAKE them do it....you know, that little thing called being THE PARENT!!

[Inspired by Reggio]

Ya ~ I have the same belief around food ~ if you refuse the food served at one sitting you go hungry until the NEXT scheduled time food is offered .... this is not a restaurant nor a buffet and you do not get to turn down the healthy stuff in hopes of getting a 'cookie' or something 30 minutes later or that I will 'warm up' your food again once it has been cleaned up and we have moved on to something else!

As for the behaviour around his choice of throwing a fit about the realization that he is going to have to go hungry now ~ yup quiet time alone on his bed would be the same consequence here cause I would not be 'negotiating' with that either ... why should the rest of the group have to listen to him whining about his choice ~ no one forced him to go hungry he CHOSE to so now he either sucks up that consequence and chooses to keep himself busy playing nicely so it is not so 'noticeable' that he is hungry or he can choose to wallow in his self pity alone focusing on the negative consequence of his choice and at 5 years of age he runs the risk of MISSING OUT on snack time too cause he has chosen not to get control of his body cause he would not be coming off his bed until he was in a 'better frame of mind'

[kidlove]

I view it the same way: DCP, I always step back and let the parent have authority when they come through the door...however..if the child treats me with disrespect, I correct them immediately. and if a child treats the parent poorly, I give the parent the control the first "offense" but if the parent doesnt do anything, then I will correct the child in front of the parent. 1) to show the parent how you should respond to a disrepectful child and 2) to let the parent know.."I got your back, man" ha ha

[Momof4]

Oh, I have a 4 1/2 year old drama king who puts on shows for his Mom like you wouldn't believe and cries at least once a day, usually more for practically no reason. He's been like that for 3 1/2 years here. However, I give him timeouts or make him lay down on the bed to relax just as you mentioned you do. I won't put up with it. He can tantrum all he wants, but he won't get any treats or special treatment or be allowed to be with the other children until he is totally relaxed again.

I serve breakfast at 8:30 and children must be fed if they arrive at 9 or wait until lunch, so I'm with you 100% on your decision this morning.