How to approach?

[sunnydays]

Skysue, I think it's great that you are able to accommodate this child and try to help him. Be aware that the parents may not be on board (from the sounds of it) and there is only so much you can do on your end. I do disagree though, that it is mean or uncaring to not accept extremely obese toddlers into our daycares. Personally, I would not be able to manage it myself. I have a six seater stroller, so I can accommodate many toddlers and babies and if they are tired walking, I can put them in. But, I do not allow my 45 pound 5 year old to ride in it because he excedes the weight limit of 40 pounds per child and it also makes it extremely hard for me to push. I avoid carrying and lifting the children as much as possible because I have had lower back issues and do not want them to flare up again. There is no way I would be able to lift a 60 pound child on a regular basis without suffering physically and ultimately putting myself at risk of having to lose my daycare due to back problems. I would not be able to accommodate a toddler or baby that was obese as they are at the age where they often need to be lifted or carried and I would not be able to manage that. I also cannot accommodate children with special needs for a similar reason. I am not trained to help them and I physically cannot manage it while caring for 4 other children plus my own. This is not prejudiced, it is realistic and knowing my own limits. If you are able to do it, that is wonderful, but those of us who know we are not able are not uncaring or mean or discriminatory...we just know our own limits.