Ah, the day after a long weekend. What could be better than coming off of three or four glorious, carefree days to a group of overtired, cranky, sugar-hyped kids? Sometimes long weekends are a curse rather than a blessing. The end result is always the same - daycare providers are forced to deal with the fall-out.
I love opening the door on Tuesday morning, the first day back to work after an extra long weekend, to have parents inform me that their child is very tired as they were not given the opportunity to nap since leaving my home the previous week. And then, in the next breath the parent will also inform me that the child was up half the night as they could not settle into sleep. It's at this point I roll my eyes, my blood pressure rising with the feeling my head might literally pop off of my shoulders. Yeah. Great. I love caring for cranky kids because the parent just couldn't bring themselves to parent over the long weekend. Thanks. And while we're on the topic of parenting how exactly do daycare parents rationalize that they could not get their child down to nap over the weekend but I can manage to not only successfully nap their child but four of his friends? The answer is simple; they just don't care. They created the little, overtired monster they drop on my doorstep. And the minute they step out my door, their child left behind, he is no longer their problem. Nope, he's my problem. Super.
If there is one positive aspect of the first care day after a long weekend it is this - it makes for a very long nap. Any daycare provider who has experienced the long weekend daycare fall out will undoubtedly have a list of things she plans to accomplish during nap time. The children in my care normally have a two hour nap period. However, today that nap period will be extended by one hour. This is a completely selfish act that benefits only me. Not only do I get an extra hour of my "Union Break" I also ensure that tonight, these same children will go down to sleep and therefore not cause me grief tomorrow. Okay, I lied, my ability to parent benefits not only me but the child and the parent.
I wish I could ask daycare parents to chronicle the sleep quality and quantity of their children during a holiday weekend and then the two days following that weekend. I have no doubt that after a mere one day back in care their child sleep longer and sounder that very night. Yes, we daycare providers are miracle workers. Imagine the special powers we must have to ask a child to lay down to sleep and set out the clear expectations to that child that sleep will, in fact, occur. No, it is not a miracle; it's parenting.
There are many items on my list of things to do today. I have plenty of time to get them all done too. Having completed item number one here on the blog I plan to move on to number two. So, if you need me I'll be busy - napping.
For concerns, advice or suggestions I welcome your email at judytrickett@yahoo.ca
17 comments:
Right on the money again Judy. Another true to form post.
Cranky, Over Tired, Caughing and Noses running is what I opened the door to this morning. Ah long weekends are soooo bitter sweet.
All my kids came not only tired, cranky, pushy, and snot-nosed, but also up to an hour late. It has been quite the day but they are all sound asleep now and I am feasting on the last piece of pie which I totally deserve. Is it Friday yet?
My long weekend travelling kids were apparently 'poopers' the entire weekend. Not sure if mom meant they were sick with the flu/diahrea. They've been fine here so far today other than after a long weekend, they seem over the top annoying compared to other days. If I have to listen to the 5 year old in her baby voice ask if we can do another craft today I may just have to put her in time out~ Oh well, off to school with her tomorrow where she can annoy her teacher to no end! Another of my kids is home with Gramma who decided to stay an extra day. That was a blessing since he would have been the one who came in overtired and whiny. It is just a shade after lunch here and already my two yr old girl is in bed because she was melting down even before mom left the house this morning. It was early lunch for us so that I could send the to bed early and hopefully nap time is extended here too!
I love the first day back!! Yes teh kids are whiny, yes they are overtired and over stimulated but boy do I look foreward to that nap :0). All my kids went down an hour early today, and all of them crawled happily into their beds, snuggled in and went right to sleep. I just don't get how it is that so many parents can't get their kids to nap?
I also wish some parents would keep a sleep journal, then they'd realise that napping actually imporves the quantity and quality of night time sleep and they'd quit keeping their kids up.
Mustbenuts....my kids came in almost 30-45 minutes late this morning too! Guess parents weren't in a rush to get to work either. Too bad i had to sit and wait with no phone calls. A few extra zzz's would have been nice for me.
And yep, cranky kids here too.
Cranky kids here too. I guess it's all around! Bring out a Turkey and some long lost relatives and suddenly parents can't have them nap because they need to spend time with family!
It's so frustrating. And yes...nap time has been extended here too.
Noisy, cranky and mouthy and exhausted.
God Bless us Daycare workers.
Oh boy, I'm guilty of the crime! I think it's hard for parents on a long weekend to keep any schedule at all. And I mean us, as parents too. How many of us had two or three big family events that would have involved leaving home before nap was done or even started? Or perhaps we even hosted one?
I'm all for routine when possible, but in the same token, the routine gets thrown out the window at holiday time around here. My kids are excited to see grandparents and cousins and aunts and uncles. I'm happy that they are excited to see them. Doing something out of the ordinary adds a touch of spice to our lives. I look forward to opportunities to shake life up a bit!
It does mean though that I plan accordingly. I didn't plan a single thing today for my dc kids.
My dc parents know this too and are okay with it. Yep, my home on the Tuesday after the long weekend (or on most Mondays for that matter) is a downtime/relaxed space.
But then I'm also lucky that I don't have to walk anyone to school or take the kids out to library programs etc., like some of you have to do. I imagine it would be much more difficult to keep up the monday/holiday tuesday routine for you with restless kids.
most of mine didn't come in cranky as for what ever reason most of the parents decided to let them sleep in an extra hour or so each. So nap here was not the break it should have been.
Cranky, tired & snotty noses and no sharing all morning here. That led to early lunch - then extended nap for an extra hour today! AHHH BLISS!
Tomorrow - back to the normal activities and routine.
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As my 2 year old twins walked thru the door at 6am this morning i was told they weree up late last night and that they were still feeling effects of the cold that they have. OH freaking joy!! The girls go back to bed and i am to get them up no later them 730 and they are not to nap in the afternoon. So seeing as they are not feeling good and were up late i decided to let them sleep in...till 930!!! Lets just say I have 2 very well rested children today. Curious to hear what time they went to bed tonight....oh well not my problem!!
ROFL @ Knitwit - I'm curious too at their bedtime from last night - but no afternoon nap? How'd you cope?
As a parent, I took FULL advantage of my time with my kids and we spent the WHOLE day outside on Saturday and Sunday. My 1 child who naps, napped later in the day. Sunday we stuck around home and nap time was close but not normal.
Firtunatley, we have 1 parent at home but 2 did go to school a bit tired. That's what comes with wanting to spend time with my kids. ;-) Good thing providers know this and can make accomadations right?!?! ;-)
LMM
Well I don't know about you guys, Mondays are like this everyweek weather it was a long weekend or not.
I have to agree with this, I dont what it is exactly but somehow weekenders always facilitiate for long time pooper time for most of the kids in my daycare, maybe it has something to do with the culmination of their days away from a routine activity or they just are plain tired from the week.
I think that many parents are guilting of weekend long hour naps and its kind of sad to think about it. Having less time to spend with your children on those days where you have the full day with them is symptomatic of people who want to put their agendas first than spending time with the little ones. Sounds too mean but thats the reality of life.
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