Thread: Do you do this?Feeling guilty

My daycare is set up in my basement, with only the entrance and kitchen being used upstairs. I do art projects almost every day, we have outside time and story time, etc. along with the scheduled meals snacks and nap. We also often cook something, or do an experiment or project. But when the children are having play time, I often will do my own thing. I will for example sit at the table down in the daycare and surf the internet on my laptop...

I do other stuff for sure. But I'm not certified, so I promote a little bit more relaxed environment. Plus, all my kids are under the age of two right now. If the babies are sleeping, you can bet I am going to try to sit down for five minutes. Especially first thing in the morning, the two older kids play awesome together and don't need me so I check my e-mail and start laundry. (Of course, they love laundry, so that doesn't...

I think children need to learn to play without constantly being "entertained" by adults. Yes, I spend a lot of time with my daycare kids- but I also will surf the net occassionally, eat my breakfast, clean up the dishes or counters after kids meals, etc? while they play I also work with an assistant, in addition to my teens, so there are days where i get a lot more done- I'll deep clean something on a day I have 4-5 kids,...

I think doing your stuff while they are free playing is fine (like you described in the morning.) as long as you do play with them at other times and of course supervise like you say you do. The 9 year old Def should be able to entertain himself, but perhaps he also just needs some more personal attention. Children that age can be trying but they still need that positive reinforcement. Does he have homework you could help him with during...

I tell the daycare parents, my job is not to play with their child but to teach their child to play.? My job is to promote independence.? Therefore I am doing my job when I do not play with them and do not interfere with how they are playing.? I don't have 30 kids to keep from killing eachother, so yes, I do many things while supervising with my ears or glances between pages.? So stop feeling guilty and be proud that you are fostering a...

I do feel guilty also.? I try to remind myself the I do laundry, grocery shopping, and pick up craft supplies on the weekend so it works out.? I do think kids should play by themselves but I worry about the parents. ?As far as the 9 year old, can he watch tv.? At the end of the day I let the late pick up kids watch a half an hour of tv.? That way the daycare is picked up and I know when the last one leave I'm done. Jen

Your job is not to play with the child especially a 9 yr old? children need large blocks of selfdirected activites, ? If he does not know how to play yet he needs to learn pretty fast.

I have 2 after school kids and when the preschool kids leave the 2 school kids are still here. I have them go to the daycare room get there cleaning basket pick out a few toys or crafts to do then we head off to the living room where I start dinner fold laundry I may turn on a movie for them. I also use this time to have them finish there home work. Its not like they cant play by them selves I have the same problem. However if I leave them in...