Maybe i'm old school in thinking this....

[MommaL]

I don't think it's necessarily a case of parents not trusting their daycare providers to look after their children when they are out. I find that a lot of parents like daycares that go out on outings, and that's why parents come to you to begin with. But I do wonder if it's more likely that they are concerned about not knowing where their children are at any given time. It's just like when schools give notice that they are taking the kids on a school trip. Most parents don't question it at all. However, if the school let the parents know after the fact that they went somewhere that day, there would probably be a lot more concern and questions from parents about where the kids went, with who, how they got there, etc. There's just a sense of comfort when you know where your kids are. I think because I have two little kids under 5 years old myself, I get it. I certainly don't consider myself a helicopter parent. I'm not watching over them every single minute of day and I want them out doing things. But I do like to know where they are and have the opportunity to say "no" if it's something I'm not comfortable with for any reason. And as a daycare provider, I want to keep this in mind with other parents as well.

[babydom]

I don't think it's necessarily a case of parents not trusting their daycare providers to look after their children when they are out. I find that a lot of parents like daycares that go out on outings, and that's why parents come to you to begin with. But I do wonder if it's more likely that they are concerned about not knowing where their children are at any given time. It's just like when schools give notice that they are taking the kids on a school trip. Most parents don't question it at all. However, if the school let the parents know after the fact that they went somewhere that day, there would probably be a lot more concern and questions from parents about where the kids went, with who, how they got there, etc. There's just a sense of comfort when you know where your kids are. I think because I have two little kids under 5 years old myself, I get it. I certainly don't consider myself a helicopter parent. I'm not watching over them every single minute of day and I want them out doing things. But I do like to know where they are and have the opportunity to say "no" if it's something I'm not comfortable with for any reason. And as a daycare provider, I want to keep this in mind with other parents as well.

I understand this. But I also think that the parent should have trust in the caregiver and know that the caregiver isn't going to go anywhere where she would put the kids at risk or leave them with anyone she wouldn't trust. I'm a parent as well and have worked as a nanny longer then home daycare. And I have always told the parents that I am child led....I don't always have my days planned out. Or if the weather changes from rain to sun we change activities from indoor playgroup to a park or something. So I don't always know what I am doing first thing in the morning for the day to tell the parents. I just expect the parents to trust me, as they picked me to use my care. And know that even u don't know where we are trust that I wouldn't bring your children to a bar over a park. All my parents trust me in this way. I give a general idea of what we may be doing but most of the time they find out when they pick up. And ask so what did u guys do today, anything fun? They also always know I have my cell on me at all times. So they always have access to their child at any time regardless where we are. And if they want to know where we are they can text and I reply immediately

[crafty]

I appreciate this post so much ! I very much agree it's going to far with the "Hovering" I was just at a playgroup this am with 3 kids and my own 13 mo and there was a mom following her 2.5 yo around CONSTANTLY. Everything was padded for gosh sakes and other than a 3 foot high indoor type slide. Needles to say she "OMG GASP" when my 13 month old fell from a ride on car and I felt like the worst mom ever because I did not even go see her. She wasn't crying she moved on on her own ... but then I started thinking ... should I have picked her up just so I don't look like this big mean mom who doesn't care ? hahaha Problem is none of us should care what other people think. But I get it, I also don't go places sometimes just because I fear how people will judge me even though I am 100% capable of handling it. But honestly why visit a playgroup if YOU are the one playing and following your kids 100% of the time. Poor kid never has a chance to play with a child and have experiences of his own.

Thanks for posting hope you guys all have a great weekend!

[kindertime]

... but then I started thinking ... should I have picked her up just so I don't look like this big mean mom who doesn't care ?

NO. Because what you were doing was being an example for the other parents. You were sitting calmly while your child went to explore the world. I often wonder if the parents who hover secretly know they are being ridiculous, and wish that they could stop.

I have a couple of Little Tykes ride-on cars, (the one with the roof) and every child who has been here as a toddler has at least once gotten stuck. Turned around backwards, on their knees, where they can't get up because the steering wheel is in their back and they are pushing with their feet and the car keeps rolling backwards. I just watch. They might be screeming bloody murder, and the other kids are wondering why I won't help, and I'm sure the parents would be horrified, but I just keep thinking about all the things the child is learning. Learning about their body, spacial relations, physics, problem solving, emotional control and of course the sense of satisfaction that they fixed it themselves! Why on earth would I take that away from them?