Parent Appreciation Day

[5 Little Monkeys]

I agree with dream....what a nice and thoughtful gesture. I also think it only adds to your program!! We have a give and take relationship with our families and I know I appreciate when they do small kind things for me so I imagine they would love it too!

I would love to do this but I'm too forgetful lol and would forget too often! I might do this or something similar around Christmas time though. Thanks for the idea! Did they stay and enjoy it or take it with them? I find mornings tend to be hectic as parents are rushing off to work but I think putting it in a to go cup would work.

[Lee-Bee]

While nice in thought I think it means a whole lot more to receive the smile, hot cocoa and thanks a day after they do something that was appreciated rather then because it is "parents appreciation day". when it just gets lumped into a specific day and all parents get the same regardless of them being incredibly great or incredibly annoying to work with then it just loses some meaning.

I would save such gestures for parents when they have shown that they trust, respect and appreciate you.

[SevenwatersDaughter]

While nice in thought I think it means a whole lot more to receive the smile, hot cocoa and thanks a day after they do something that was appreciated rather then because it is "parents appreciation day". when it just gets lumped into a specific day and all parents get the same regardless of them being incredibly great or incredibly annoying to work with then it just loses some meaning.

I would save such gestures for parents when they have shown that they trust, respect and appreciate you.

I think that would show favouritism, and I need to treat all parents -- and children -- the same, whether they are difficult to work with or not. Just my opinion!

[Lee-Bee]

I think that would show favouritism, and I need to treat all parents -- and children -- the same, whether they are difficult to work with or not. Just my opinion!

I disagree. The world is gone wonky lately because of this misbelief. Not everyone needs to be treated the same. YES everyone needs to be respected, treated nicely and fairly...but fairness IS NOT sameness.

This is why children in schools today are not doing nearly as well as generations past. I've taught K-6. It annoys the hell out of me when teachers feel that every student needs to get everything the same. Giving all children a sticker on their spelling test is dumb. Why does every student get one whether they got 5/5 or 0/5? It's a waste of stickers and it means absolutely nothing to the students.

If we rewards people who go above and beyond the bare minimums in life they we encourage everyone to strive to go above and beyond. If the slackers get the me rewards as those that do that do strive to work harder then why would the slackers improve and why would those that excel continue to strive to excel?

We need to be respectful, polite, nice and all that to every human being but we can certainly go beyond that to reward those that go the extra mile. I think society benefits. The workplace certainly does this...the harder you work the bigger your bonus. The harder you work the more promotions you get. Why can't we teach children this at a young age? They will go farther in life if they learn they have to work harder to receive the added perks of being a hard worker, for striving to be their best, for going the extra mile.

[SevenwatersDaughter]

I agree with dream....what a nice and thoughtful gesture. I also think it only adds to your program!! We have a give and take relationship with our families and I know I appreciate when they do small kind things for me so I imagine they would love it too!

I would love to do this but I'm too forgetful lol and would forget too often! I might do this or something similar around Christmas time though. Thanks for the idea! Did they stay and enjoy it or take it with them? I find mornings tend to be hectic as parents are rushing off to work but I think putting it in a to go cup would work.

They just took it as they were leaving. One of the moms took a picture of her hot chocolate, jar of apple butter and muffin and posted on Facebook about how much she loves my dayhome. This is a word of mouth business after all and while good press isn't why I did it, it sure helps!

[5 Little Monkeys]

They just took it as they were leaving. One of the moms took a picture of her hot chocolate, jar of apple butter and muffin and posted on Facebook about how much she loves my dayhome. This is a word of mouth business after all and while good press isn't why I did it, it sure helps!

It definitely helps!! I don't know about you but where I live, hdc's are everywhere!! Anything that helps set you apart is a good thing!

[SevenwatersDaughter]

I've been in childcare for six years -- as a nanny, a child care assistant at a day care and a day home provider. I'm not in a honeymoon phase. I just like to spread a little sunshine... am actually shocked at how many of you seem to be so bitter about our jobs! Are there parents that are a struggle? Yes. But my child care coordinator gave me great advice: deal with the issue and move on. If you have a parent who is repeatedly violating your wishes over and over -- that's kind of on you. You need to deal with it and make it stop. I'm a glass half full gal and I like to make people happy... it makes me happy too

[AmandaKDT]

I've been in childcare for six years -- as a nanny, a child care assistant at a day care and a day home provider. I'm not in a honeymoon phase. I just like to spread a little sunshine... am actually shocked at how many of you seem to be so bitter about our jobs! Are there parents that are a struggle? Yes. But my child care coordinator gave me great advice: deal with the issue and move on. If you have a parent who is repeatedly violating your wishes over and over -- that's kind of on you. You need to deal with it and make it stop. I'm a glass half full gal and I like to make people happy... it makes me happy too

If you knew me in real life you would find I am very friendly, personable and my daycare families really love my program and show me a great deal of respect. When I have a parental issue I deal with it and move on. But I also really dislike it when someone makes judgments about people they don't know, without knowing where they come from and what they deal with on a daily basis. So when I see that I feel compelled to stand up for them, as I did for Brightsparks. I don't know if you are including me in the "bitter about our jobs" group, but I for sure am not. But I also don't feel that people should be praised and rewarded if they are undeserving.

I know you did not start this thread expecting it to go is way, and I am glad you are excited about it. As I had said, I think it is a nice once and awhile idea when you feel inspired to do so.

[bright sparks]

I've been in childcare for six years -- as a nanny, a child care assistant at a day care and a day home provider. I'm not in a honeymoon phase. I just like to spread a little sunshine... am actually shocked at how many of you seem to be so bitter about our jobs! Are there parents that are a struggle? Yes. But my child care coordinator gave me great advice: deal with the issue and move on. If you have a parent who is repeatedly violating your wishes over and over -- that's kind of on you. You need to deal with it and make it stop. I'm a glass half full gal and I like to make people happy... it makes me happy too

I can only speak for myself but I didn't imply that I was bitter in my job, just that I don't think poor behaviour on any level, with respect to any situation should be rewarded.