Really? I mean.....really???

[cfred]

I've got an 18 mos old girl with me who has been in my care since 3 mos of age. I adore her, but I have to say, she's a bit on the high maintenance side, diet wise. She has a number of issues and is under the treatment of a natural doctor. Fair enough. The long and short is that she can't have dairy, eggs (not even in baking), wheat, almonds and any meats except pork and fish. Needless to say, her meal prep is a considerably bigger deal as I try to give her something similar to the other kids' meals, but within her restrictions. I don't mind doing this; it's something I offer and it's a great learning experience.

HOWEVER....I have asked repeatedly that the parents let me know what time she's coming each morning so I know whether or not to make breakfast for her, which is typically a totally separate meal from the other children. Breakfast is at 8:30, so I always need to know if she's coming. They've been getting a little better but not stellar. On Wed, I got notification 15 mins before breakfast was to be served that she'd be here. Today, having not heard anything, I got up an hour early to make her vegan muffins so she could have the same thing as everyone else. My bad, I should have known better. 9:00 now, and no show. Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So freakin' annoying!!!

[daycaremum]

I don't know if I would even take a child on with so many diet restrictions. Kudos to you If I did have her, I think I would likely require the family to provide her food as my own kitchen prep area would not be nut, dairy, etc, etc, free.
I wouldn't be willing to restrict that stuff for my own family in order to have a safe environment for a daycare kid with allergies.
You are great for doing this for them. And you should be annoyed, perhaps you should explain the whole thing to them as you described it to us, about getting up early to make her special food.

[Sassygirl]

I agree. Kudos for you. Personally, I would have told them to supply her own food. That is alot of work for you.
I would say something as well. Maybe say that you are just finding it too much can they supply her own food.

[cfred]

None of her restrictions are life threatening. They're really just sensitivities. For instance, we break the rules once in a while. If I get timbits for all the other kids, she can have one too. It just can't be a regular thing. I don't mind doing the extra work as it's a great learning experience for me and it's kind of what helps give me a leg up. I'm trying to develop my business in a new area with oodles of competition, so trying to set myself apart. Seems to be working as I'm full in under a year. But, it annoys the hell out of me when I get up early to make sure she's got the food she needs, then she doesn't show for that meal. It's just really aggravating. In addition, she's got a physio appointment here this morning which she's late for. Ugh.....called mom, they were all still in bed!

When they did show up, I told mom gently that though I didn't want to harp on the issue, I really needed to know the day before when she's coming. I know she felt badly as I also mentioned that I'd gotten up very early to make the special breakfast. They're really great people, very appreciative of what I do for them. They even followed me here from the old location though it's well out of their way to do so. They didn't want her with anyone else, so that's says something. They certainly have their hands full with their little one as she's got multiple issues, one of which is the newly discovered 'absence seizures' that I noticed a couple days ago I can get why they're maybe preoccupied.....I just needed a little vent. Hopefully our little chat this morning sank in.

Feel better now

[playfelt]

I would probably stop worrying about her having what the others are having at breakfast and keep a supply of her muffins in the freezer and thaw them as needed when she arrives.

Another option is making her arrival time half an hour before breakfast time so that if she is not there by then the parents have to bring her fed. Expecting a special diet and then being rude is not acceptable.

[sunnydays]

I was just going to post something along the lines of what Playfelt posted. Put thos muffins in the freezer and you can pull one out as needed. Maybe you can freeze a few different items that can be pulled out and thrown in the microwave. However, they should be courteous enough to let you know when she is coming or stick to the same time every day.

[apples and bananas]

I agree... great job to you for taking on such a high maintenance child. Very few would. However, I don't think it's unreasonable to tell the clients, you need 12 hours notice for breakfast, otherwise you won't make it.

Ingredients for her high maintenance diet probably cost more and would be ashame to use them and then have them wasted.

Send out a letter, you could even make it look like it's meant for all clients explaining you are trying to cut down on waste and need to know 12 hours in advance. Otherwise, there will be nothing prepared for them.

[Skysue]

I have to say you have been going above and beyond in the way you have been providing for her. Since she has been with you since 4 months it is now a standard and the parents are seriously taking advantage. Set some clear boundaries and time lines if they give you less than an hours notice they must provide breakfast.

Also you should freeze some of her menu items ahead of time to take the pressure off your self. What an amazing loving provider you are to go the extra mile.

Any child I have had with special dietary needs the parents always provided there meals.

[cfred]

Thanks for all the kudos ladies! But I really don't mind doing the special diet. It behooves me, being the new kid on the block, to go the extra mile. And honestly, I just adore this kid...the whole family. She's been with me since a teeny little baby, when her future still wasn't certain. She had a very difficult birth and the prognosis for survival wasn't stellar. I feel it's the utmost compliment that her mother felt comfortable enough to leave her with me at such an uncertain time. But, she's beaten the odds and I'm very attached to her, so the extra mile is something I'm happy to do. This family involves me in bday parties, etc, mom and I go out for meals, she and her daughter have joined us for family dinners with my sister's family. We're just closer than is customary for clients. Perhaps in that closeness, certain liberties are taken without thought. I have talked with mom openly and have drawn my 'line in the sand'. I could see she felt badly. I really think with the newly discovered worry of seizures, she may be a bit preoccupied.

Hopefully this has rectified the problem. But yes, I did go ahead and make a pile of muffins to freeze