Attachment Parenting.....

[mickyc]

It is so hard to say what will happen. I had a parent contact me about a spot I had open and she mentioned attachment parenting. I didn't even know what it was LOL. Once I looked it up I immediately cancelled our meeting. She begged me to reconsider but I still didn't meet with her. It is so far from my parenting style and I had had a boy who was extremely difficult at nap time I certainly wasn't open to meeting with someone who had a higher chance of having issues sleeping.

I always stress is my interview that the parents need to work on getting the child to self sooth before starting daycare as well as weaning off the soother and cutting back on amount of bottles needed during the day. I don't know why this mom would want to do that to her child!?!

I did have a boy once who screamed from the time he got dropped off until I called mom to pick up in the middle of nap because he was keeping everyone else awake. After the 3rd day I terminated. I was already the 2nd daycare!

I would make it known to mom that you only allow a certain amount of time to transition and if he doesn't transition within that time frame there is the possibility she may have to look for new daycare. Tell her the sooner she can start transitioning him at home the better off he will be with you. Some parents are so selfish sometimes. The don't want to do the work needed to help their child transition easier.

[nschildcare]

I would have an honest conversation with the mom about: 1 - how he will be going down for naps in group care and that she should start getting him used to that routine now, and 2- that your transition period is x weeks long and that if he hasn't settled by then they will need to find care elsewhere.

He needs to learn how to self-soothe. It can be done gradually and gently if she starts now. Otherwise it's going to be a huge shock to the little guy when he starts. I'd really emphasize how hard it will be for him. If she doesn't believe you, ask her to follow your naptime routine (whatever it is: ie: tuck him in awake, turn on music, walk away, etc) and see how he does.

Mom needs to understand that while she may love the ap philosophy, it does not translate very easily into group care unless she is prepared to do some prep work. She may not care, though, because she won't have to deal with the fallout. You will.