Running into DCK outside of usual environment

[daycarewhisperer]

You may be misreading what they are doing and personalizing it. Very common response but if you know the root of why they do that it will help you to handle it differently in the future. The reaction of the kids is more that their position or power position changes when you are with them. Imagine them walking along... being at the top of the heap and in control with their parents... and bam... they run into the one person who they are NEVER the top of the heap and never in control. What's a kid to do? Grasp their power source (parents) and hold on for dear life. Who wants to come down from the top?

So next time you run into a kid away from the house do "no touch" "no talk" "no eye contact". Completely put them on ignore and position your body so that they don't see anything but your side or back. Do ALL the talking to the Mom and be VERY chipper. Don't say anything to the kid and don't look at the kid. Completely ignore and focus on the one who writes you a check every week.

If you do this the kid will see you have NO interest in them and their position is secured. Let them be a bystander but not a participant. Now they may see you are shunning them and try to engage you but don't buy it. Just stay focused on the parent and leave the kid out of it. If the parents try to force the kid on you just say "oh he's on his day off... he's on MAMA time"