My kid

[Lee-Bee]

My youngest was 11 months old when I started the daycare. I let her follow me around as I do things for the other kids as much as possible, and help as much as possible. She is 22 months old now.

I don't know your setup, but the baby gate to keep her out of the bathroom might have to go. I find I have to make concessions for my own kids that I wouldn't make for the daycare kids.

It sounds like tough love at nap time is necessary, just put her to bed and walk out. Put all the other ones to bed and if she is still crying when you have everyone in bed then go back and check on her.

It is definitely harder taking care of my own two girls than the daycare kids. They are well behaved but are definitely more demanding of my attention since I am their mommy. My 4.5 year old isn't too bad now, she is pretty independent. But my younger daughter keeps me busy.

I try to give hugs and kisses during the day, but the most focused attention they get is at the end of the day after supper.

I can't remove the gate to bathroom as my kids are all 12-15months and one is a toilet dipper and they would just dump the diaper bins all day. I have allowed my daughter to sit at my feet and play while I do diapers...but for the most part she just screams at my feet instead of at the gate so it doesn't help much.

My daughter goes down easy for naps so she'd be long asleep by the time the last one is asleep if I put her down first. I can think about changing the routine completely to put her down first. I don't think it's quite as easy as it sounds since she wakes the latest of the group since she is on-site and one little guy has to go down early as I wake him at 10am or he'd sleep until 11am and then not go down at the same time as the others in the afternoon. I will give it some thought and see how it'll work.

I am hoping it is short term as she was fine the first 2months with my coming and going. I wore her on my back yesterday and this morning and it is working. nothing like carrying around 50pounds of kids, up and down stairs!! The kids all find it amusing that they can touch her and talk to her while we do diapers and nap routines so it's working so far.

[AmandaKDT]

I can't remove the gate to bathroom as my kids are all 12-15months and one is a toilet dipper and they would just dump the diaper bins all day. I have allowed my daughter to sit at my feet and play while I do diapers...but for the most part she just screams at my feet instead of at the gate so it doesn't help much.

My daughter goes down easy for naps so she'd be long asleep by the time the last one is asleep if I put her down first. I can think about changing the routine completely to put her down first. I don't think it's quite as easy as it sounds since she wakes the latest of the group since she is on-site and one little guy has to go down early as I wake him at 10am or he'd sleep until 11am and then not go down at the same time as the others in the afternoon. I will give it some thought and see how it'll work.

I am hoping it is short term as she was fine the first 2months with my coming and going. I wore her on my back yesterday and this morning and it is working. nothing like carrying around 50pounds of kids, up and down stairs!! The kids all find it amusing that they can touch her and talk to her while we do diapers and nap routines so it's working so far.

It is a difficult thing to get things sorted out, hopefully you find something that works. In a few months I think you will find it easier to deal with the needs of your child as she gets more mobile and capable and understands more. Good luck!