Fundamental Differences in Parenting Style

[torontokids]

I have this one family with a boy who is now 18 mos. I have had him since he was 12 mos old. I have spoken about him before. He has been a difficult transition, in fact the only difficult transition I have had since I opened 2 yrs a go. He always screamed to be held, wouldn't eat, just generally had a hard time. The parents are really sweet. I like them and they are trying but I get more and more of a sense that the mom is clueless. They have worked hard to help him transition; stopped picking him up as much was the big thing but there are still a lot of food issues at home. It is becoming clear that we have very different ideas about parenting.

He has made huge gains here. He sleeps the whole nap time and when he doesn't he lays in his cot quietly, he eats most of the time, he plays independently much better and doesn't need to be held all the time....do I just keep trudging along? Do I meet with the parents? WWYD?

I feel this kid has cost me a lot really. I didn't fill one of my Sept spots because he is so high maintenance and I wanted him to settle in more. I have also been leery of another baby at the moment because of his needs. It's been 6 mos now though!