Birthday Idea for a Mom

[Momof4]

Wow, apples and bananas, look at all the very intelligent caregivers who took time out of their busy days to help and advise you. I hope after you calm down you will come back to this thread and read every single word because there is a valuable stash of information hidden in all the posts that could help you so much if you read them with an open mind. Same goes for all the other new providers who think it's all sunshine and roses still. No, this isn't about a card, it's about the principal of the entire thing.

I've raised my children and have gone past the birthday with the 5 at the front and I'm still proud to say that I learn something from others every single day, about running my daycare and about life in general. If you close your mind you are doomed.

Now there are always going to be the people who are proud they fart rainbows and don't see that other people are actually pushing them around. There are always going to be the people like me who want to learn to do a better job every day and are proud that they are standing behind their contract and not being pushed around any more after a lifetime of being pushed around. There are always going to be the babysitter type, goofing off, and hence the parents who come to us with wide eyes after they realize they were promised one thing and it was all lies. We are all different. But we are here to help each other.

You came to this forum and asked for advice. We gave you lots of advice. Good luck to you if you don't heed at least some of the fantastic advice that was given to you.

[apples and bananas]

Wow, apples and bananas, look at all the very intelligent caregivers who took time out of their busy days to help and advise you. I hope after you calm down you will come back to this thread and read every single word .

I have not only come back to the thread, but I've been commenting all the way along. You didn't see that? I'm not convinced that you've read every single word based on that comment.

I have seen lots of opinions and I've given lots of opinions... but little advise.

And for the record, there was never anything to calm down from. I'm not sure I understand what the point of your post was.

OTher mummy... I agree, the title is a little misleading now isn't it. Wouldn't it have been wonderful if it was 7 pages of useful ideas... much like I asked for to begin with. Oh well. Some very intellegent and great caregivers PM'd (as I've already stated) and I got a great craft idea from that. And my child left glowing and very proud of himself that he made something wonderful for mom.

Regarding my avatar... someone made an off handed comment about a unicorn in and around page 3 so I thought I'd just fit the part.

[Spixie33]

I have been reading this thread and really enjoying the different viewpoints and points raised.

Personally I see nothing wrong with other providers expanding on the thread and taking it in a different direction. Some people stayed on topic and others raised other points. The other points raised were still in relation to the original post and how other providers would handle the situation. Hearing how others would handle a similar situation is the whole beauty of this thread. That is how threads work and there were good and thoughtful points raised.

I had a day a couple of weeks ago where we did some finger-painting and then the next day the parent dropped off his daughter and said " Make me another one of those cute paintings today."

Um.....I am not doing finger-painting or painting two days in a row. That would be repetitive. I just smiled and wished him a good day and didn't do it or give in to the pressure to produce more artwork. It was a nice, mild winter day so we spent extra time outside instead of crafting. The fresh air is much better for them and makes them much happier and I am worried about what makes for a fun/successful day for the kids.