Need to vent...going to snap!

[Rachael]

Damn, it's always the cute ones who are a pain in the butt initially. It's the kitten syndrome. LOL

Although it sounds like the parents are listening to your advice, it also sounds like some of it is being taken with a pinch of salt when their justifications/excuses are offered. I know it's so damn hard when it's going on.

Baby-ing by parents is my pet peeve too. I'm having this at the moment here with a 2.5 year old who is one of the oldest so I feel your pain.

Take the weekend - put some distance between you and the situation and then decide. If it is too much, then fair enough but don't make a rash decision at the end of a long, hard week. In terms of notice, it's not a lot of difference if you issue it Friday evening or Monday morning.

[Kathleen12]

I think you need to be a little easier on this kid and his parents. If their child is upset and they choose to comfort him in the way that is best for their family, that is their choice as parents. Withdrawing love and affection from children, when they are going through a tough time, is counter-productive. I think any reasonable daycare provider would know this. It hurts my heart to see these posts. Yes, you have a hard job, and children can be challenging and frustrating, but the more you deny a child the physical and emotional comfort he NEEDS, the more difficult and challenging he will be as he gets older. I would seriously question any provider that tells me not to pick up, comfort and hold an 18 month old. Perhaps they would be better off with someone who is a little more understanding about high needs babies.

[FSD]

From my understanding, Torontokids has been VERY understanding when it comes to this child! It sounds like this child is spoiled, and Torontokids isn't withholding love/affection from him, she's just refusing to coddle, which I completely agree with. I didn't coddle either of my two daughters, and if anyone insinuated that I withheld love from them, you have another think coming! I believe because I DIDN'T coddle them, they have both grown to be independent, respectful, children! This little guy needs to learn that he's at daycare, and there are certain rules, like staying quiet in bed until nap is over. All my dck's learned it, but the ones that were coddled/spoiled at home, took a little longer to figure it out. Torontokids, I would take the weekend to think it over, but I have a feeling you've already made a decision. Good luck!!

[torontokids]

Thanks for the feedback.

I will take the weekend to think things over. I appreciate the perspective re: withholding affection as you call it. I think there is a difference between being affectionate (which I am) and answering to every child's beck and call and holding them 24 hr's a day. We would clearly not be a provider/parent match.I think that kind of parenting is a recipe for burn out really. I have friends that parent this way. Not only do they start to resent their child and lack of me time but their relationships with their partners are put on hold as one person can only give so much