Transitions Part 2

Posted by Carrie Henderson Weston Apr 16, 2006

I have occasionally joked that working in the childcare industry would be a breeze if it weren't for the parents, but in this joking I have forgotten that daycare would also be impossible without all of the great parents of my students.

A few things that have frustrated me in dealing with parents have been when they are on the phone every day as they pick up and drop off their children, when they do not even walk into the center (they may have their kids walk in to pick up little brothers and sisters) or if they become frustrated with me or other daycare workers over an issue of a payment or other issue that is completely beyond our control.

But its too easy to focus on the negatives. Its too easy to let things frustrate us and build up barriers between people who should normally be friendly. Inherent in the parent/childcare provider relationship there are issues because no one would do every aspect of child-rearing in exactly the same way, but there are several things that both parents and daycare workers can do to make the time in the morning and evening picking up and dropping off the children as pleasant and smooth a process as possible. In Part 2 of my article, "Transition Troubles," I discuss the difficulty that results at the end of the day, as worn out parents try to pick up their children.

Visit my article, Transitions Part 2.