Junk Food?? My feelings are pretty hurt.

[Crayola kiddies]

Can you bake me a pie kidlove ????? Cherry please ; )

[dodge__driver11]

MMMMMMMMMMM pie sorry to high jack the thread

[Inspired by Reggio]

....Should have heard how mad she got when I baked a pie for HER and hubby, but gave it to hubby to bring home. calls me later and says "so you baked my husband a pie!"......uh no, I baked your family a pie! Controling.

Seriously ... would have taken me all I had not to be sarcastic with an 'oh honestly baking him a pie is the least I could do after all the wonderful things he's done for me' and than just let her jealous ole controlling mind go to town with what that might mean.

[dodge__driver11]

HAHAHAHA reggio you are awesome!

[apples and bananas]

This is exactly why I don't post my menus. I don't want any parent nit picking at my choices. I don't want someone to see Mac and Cheese and judge me. When really, my mac and cheese is home made, real cheese, purree'd veggies and whole grain pasta. Kids aren't going to eat veggies and lean chicken breast all day every day. You have to take the favourites and make them healthy. I've always told my parents... I serve healthy alternatives. No processed, lots of dairy, lots of veggies and lots of fruit.

And when one of them asks at the end of the day what he ate I can explain what I fed him honestly, rather then having a posting up for them to interpret.

[bright sparks]

I have to say that while everyones comments are accurate and I agree that this woman is clearly a bit of a headcase trying to micro manage things and be a complete control freak, you did mention that you are not able to afford to let this child go right now. So, in the hopes of offering some productive advice to maybe get her to back off with her over the top ridiculous comments about things, I suggest you call her on it.

I would say to her at next pickup that you are puzzled at her comments about junk food and while you welcome her feedback on such things as the menu, you would prefer it if it was constructive and specific as otherwise it is easy to misinterpret, and leaves you questioning your abilities to cater healthy foods to the kids which isn't fair to you. Ask her outright what it is that mispleases her about your menu. Explain that while you may not agree with her, or change your menu as a result, you would like the opportunity to be made aware of her concerns and explain things to her.

As the parent she has the right to question a daycare provider, she should just do it in a manner that isn't offensive and rude toward the provider. It doesnt mean that they are right, or what they are asking isn't stupid, but I believe its better to address the issue rather than let it brew inside you and piss you off. Maybe this won't help the situation but it may help to bring some relief to you in the meantime while you advertise and try to fill the spot.

Parents don't have the right and shouldn't treat us childcare providers like crap, but I find its best to try and confront them on things, as sometimes, they dont mean to be awful, and other times its just a way to clear the air a bit until you are in a position to stick a boot in their arse and kick them to the curb. Then who's having the last laugh

Good Luck

[Play and Learn]

Yup, with A & B on this one. I don't post menus because I saw parents act out the way this mother did at centers that I used to work at. I also don't feed junk food - maybe the odd fruit cup when I ran out of fresh fruit or boxed KD because I need to really get groceries.

ADVERTISE as much as you can! You really NEED to be rid of this family!!!!

Good luck!

[playfelt]

I don't post menus either. I decide more on the spare of the moment and what is left in the fridge. It is a ton easier now though to have a better idea of what is available compared to when my son was at home and I would open the fridge and find all the leftovers gone - half to his lunchbag and half to his midnight snack.

[dodge__driver11]

I do not post menus eithier I have had parents decide to bring things for snack..but I welcome that

[Inspired by Reggio]

I stopped posting the menu as well and just have a list of 'typically served foods' and 'favorite meals and snack combinations' on my website .... that said I do still menu plan with the children each Friday for the upcoming week and record that on my computer in my daily log as a reference for ME cause I am one of those people who need to make a grocery list based on what I need for the planned meals and menu and so forth otherwise I end up not having something I need for a recipe.

I do admit that not having it 'posted' for parents gives me the freedom to serve it in whatever order I feel like each week so I might have the 'chicken stir fry' listed as Tuesday meal but might decide to serve it Friday instead and have Friday's soup and sandwiches and Tuesday or whatever... I do have some clients who ask daily 'what they ate' and well others who once they have been here a couple months just trust that their child comes home happy, healthy and thriving so they must be eating well