Ok! I REALLY need some advice

[kidlove]

ok just finished the rest....ha ha , can you tell where my son gets his hyperactivity from, I can only focus on one thing at a time. after reading the rest I have come to the BIG issue......you dont seem to have full control yet!!!!!! you need to take it back from these kids. dont mean to smite you, you are doing a great job, but in this job if you are not "tough" you have chaos. alot of it seems to be created by the size of your home and your choices, of sleep arangements and other stuff. You NEED a crib for the little one, this child is obviously not sensing your authority plus (the child is 2) this kid needs to be places in a crib and told to "go to sleep" if the child moves around, gets up, or tries to climb out, you need to be "on gaurd" catch them in the act, and correct it quick and firm. "this is not ok...go to sleep". use your mad face if you have to until these kids know you mean business. Children will push if they know there is room! and they know how you feel, if you are upset, some kids will push harder. dont let them run you girl!!!!! this a tough world, daycare. it will chew you up and spit you out. (sarcasm) good luck keep things posted!!!!!

[godsgirl]

Up until 2 weeks ago they have been pretty good (the 4 year old has always given me a run for my money - when it's just him he is so good though). As for the 2 yr old, he can't talk yet so I have no idea if he understands what I'm saying as he just stares blankly at me with this grin on his face. But I think I'll be moving him to the living room from now on. I think you are right kidlove 'that I may not have full control yet'. The 2 & 5 yr old are brother and sister and they came from a daycare and the 4 yr old came from a previous day home that he was at for 3 years. So it's all probably a bit of adjustment for them too in regards to them getting used to new place, new rules, finding out their boundaries, etc. It's normally during free play when the 4 yr old goes crazy so I think I just need to limit it and when he starts to get hyper with the 5 yr old then I need to redirect them to something else or separate them. I have a 1000 sq ft one level house (basement is partially finished but we don't go down there). The day home space is kind of in a 'L' shape with an open kitchen and dining room which are connected and the living room off of the kitchen with our 2 bedrooms down the hall. The kids normally bounce between the living room and kitchen and play at the kitchen table in the dining room. Thank you all so much for your help. I am learning so much from you guys!!!