Parent Appreciation Day

[SevenwatersDaughter]

Good morning everyone!

Who else does a Parent Appreciation Day? I got the idea from another day care in town. I'm doing it the first Monday of each month. Today I met the parents with a smile, a cup of hot chocolate, a homemade muffin and a jar of homemade apple butter!

They seemed to really like it!

[bright sparks]

Good morning everyone!

Who else does a Parent Appreciation Day? I got the idea from another day care in town. I'm doing it the first Monday of each month. Today I met the parents with a smile, a cup of hot chocolate, a homemade muffin and a jar of homemade apple butter!

They seemed to really like it!

That seems like a really nice gesture but not something I would likely do. I would rather invest my time into the program I offer, and honestly I know being a parent is hard, I have 2 of my own, but isn't that the idea behind Mother's Day and Father's Day. I also think there should be a "Parent's get your act together day" too then lol....that would likely be way more productive lolol Sorry I do think it was really lovely of you and I am glad your families received it well but after nearly 10 years in the job I personally don't think it's worth it.....I have little appreciation for some of these families when I am continuously dealing with mundane BS repeatedly asking them to meet the basic needs of their children. I do however love it on the occasion that a parent brings me a hot tea in the morning but certainly making it a regular thing would result in an amount of expectation.

[Dreamalittledream]

What a great idea! I had never thought of that. I say go for it. These parents give you their trust, a good chunk of their income (which, of course, we fully earn) and if they're like mine provide excellent recommendations and referrals. Not to mention generous gifts and thank yous. I like it! Something as simple as a baked good and a thank you card would hardly put a dent in my budget

[5 Little Monkeys]

I agree with dream....what a nice and thoughtful gesture. I also think it only adds to your program!! We have a give and take relationship with our families and I know I appreciate when they do small kind things for me so I imagine they would love it too!

I would love to do this but I'm too forgetful lol and would forget too often! I might do this or something similar around Christmas time though. Thanks for the idea! Did they stay and enjoy it or take it with them? I find mornings tend to be hectic as parents are rushing off to work but I think putting it in a to go cup would work.

[Lee-Bee]

While nice in thought I think it means a whole lot more to receive the smile, hot cocoa and thanks a day after they do something that was appreciated rather then because it is "parents appreciation day". when it just gets lumped into a specific day and all parents get the same regardless of them being incredibly great or incredibly annoying to work with then it just loses some meaning.

I would save such gestures for parents when they have shown that they trust, respect and appreciate you.

[SevenwatersDaughter]

That seems like a really nice gesture but not something I would likely do. I would rather invest my time into the program I offer, and honestly I know being a parent is hard, I have 2 of my own, but isn't that the idea behind Mother's Day and Father's Day. I also think there should be a "Parent's get your act together day" too then lol....that would likely be way more productive lolol Sorry I do think it was really lovely of you and I am glad your families received it well but after nearly 10 years in the job I personally don't think it's worth it.....I have little appreciation for some of these families when I am continuously dealing with mundane BS repeatedly asking them to meet the basic needs of their children. I do however love it on the occasion that a parent brings me a hot tea in the morning but certainly making it a regular thing would result in an amount of expectation.

Do you like doing childcare? Just curious lol. I think everyone likes to feel appreciated -- I'm sorry you seem to have had such bad experiences with parents -- for me, most of my experiences have been excellent. And treating people nicely shouldn't be conditional -- for me, I wanted to treat them and let them know that I appreciate their business -- they could go elsewhere, after all! I put 110% of my energy into my program, but I also like to go an extra mile -- and really, a treat once a month for the parents will go a long way to foster respect and appreciation, IMHO.

[SevenwatersDaughter]

I agree with dream....what a nice and thoughtful gesture. I also think it only adds to your program!! We have a give and take relationship with our families and I know I appreciate when they do small kind things for me so I imagine they would love it too!

I would love to do this but I'm too forgetful lol and would forget too often! I might do this or something similar around Christmas time though. Thanks for the idea! Did they stay and enjoy it or take it with them? I find mornings tend to be hectic as parents are rushing off to work but I think putting it in a to go cup would work.

They just took it as they were leaving. One of the moms took a picture of her hot chocolate, jar of apple butter and muffin and posted on Facebook about how much she loves my dayhome. This is a word of mouth business after all and while good press isn't why I did it, it sure helps!

[SevenwatersDaughter]

While nice in thought I think it means a whole lot more to receive the smile, hot cocoa and thanks a day after they do something that was appreciated rather then because it is "parents appreciation day". when it just gets lumped into a specific day and all parents get the same regardless of them being incredibly great or incredibly annoying to work with then it just loses some meaning.

I would save such gestures for parents when they have shown that they trust, respect and appreciate you.

I think that would show favouritism, and I need to treat all parents -- and children -- the same, whether they are difficult to work with or not. Just my opinion!

[mickyc]

Nice idea but not something I would likely do.

I usually buy flowers for mother's day to add to the mother's day crafts. I usually write a nice note in their Christmas card (with child's gift). I think as a parent they would appreciate me doing things for their child instead. I like to send nice texts to parents on occasion. Today I texted one mom telling her that her son's new boots are fantastic.

[AmandaKDT]

Do you like doing childcare? Just curious lol. I think everyone likes to feel appreciated -- I'm sorry you seem to have had such bad experiences with parents -- for me, most of my experiences have been excellent. And treating people nicely shouldn't be conditional -- for me, I wanted to treat them and let them know that I appreciate their business -- they could go elsewhere, after all! I put 110% of my energy into my program, but I also like to go an extra mile -- and really, a treat once a month for the parents will go a long way to foster respect and appreciation, IMHO.

I think she is just being realistic, and is no longer in the "honeymoon" phase of this career. I could definitely see some situations where it would be hard giving a parent appreciation gift monthly to a family that is not being appreciative of YOU. I have only been doing this for 1.5 years, but have had some families that I definitely wouldn't be giving a gift of appreciation to.

For example - "You never dress your child appropriately for the weather and are often late picking up - but here is a hot chocolate and thank you card!"

I would rather make it a spontaneous showing of appreciation, as opposed to a monthly thing where it becomes expected.

There are so many ways you can foster respect and appreciation without the giving of material things. But it is a nice idea maybe every once and awhile.