Quote Originally Posted by Other Mummy View Post
Vent away...that's what we are here for to support each other and bounce ideas of one another. I see how you are caught between a rock and hard place. You are friends with the family which makes it a whole other ball game.

You are not going to get any help from this family with his behaviour. If its really horrid, I would be tempted to end the friendship and let the dcb go. What else can you do?? Is he starting school in September? can you hold out until then? If his behaviour gets worse and he is hurting children then you might be forced into terminating him regardless.

Sorry you are dealing with this.
She is the only daycare parent I have ever been friends with. It happened very gradually and we have terrific boundaries which I am forever grateful for. She has never asked anything extra of me. This is just where we butt heads a little, although not by way of exchanging words but just our styles are different. I am strict and consistent and she totally respects that I do things my way at my house, but she seems to be constantly trying to appease her kids and feels guilty all the time. I can only give her advice, which may in fact not be right for her, but I can not make her change her ways. Even with her best intention she is human and not perfect. She likely is trying her best with everything that is going on but I'm just not sure how to word it when I talk to her about handling him and next steps with this current phase.

This little guys is very good when he has consistency. The minute daddy fails to collect as promised or its back to mums after a weekend of being spoilt rotten, it all hits the fan. How exactly can mom do anything to control her sons reactions to that stuff. I know she tries hard to maintain consistency but it's like she thinks damage control by way of bribery and pacifying them is her only option. Rarely does she say no either. Tough love I say, but everyone has their different way. Nowadays, parents don't even shout at their kids. Obviously for every little thing, shouting isn't helpful, is cruel and becomes the predictable norm, but when he is super naughty why can't she try the shock effect. Put a bit of fear into him, maybe that's what he needs, maybe he doesn't but what she is doing now sure as hell isn't working.