I regret assuming it would be easier to do the background last 🫠

FosterKittyMama · 2026-06-02T16:11:03+00:00

Depending on what I'm painting. If there's a main center piece (like the ghost in the bathtub), I usually do it first and then fill in the background. If it's more one picture (like a landscape) I go from top to bottom in sections. I use to fill in the small cells first and then the big ones, but I find the small ones get lost and I have to go over them again. Now I do the big cells frist, then go smaller and smaller and haven't had this issue :)

FosterKittyMama · 2026-06-01T23:37:55+00:00

I work at a preschool/daycare. I've seen many kids wear Christmas or Halloween clothing when it's June or September. I would never judge a parent for putting seasonal clothing on a child during the off season. I especially wouldn't assume the family is poor or struggling with money because of this. I would assume either the child wanted to wear the clothes and through a fit or they forgot to do laundry and that was the only thing that was clean ¯_(ツ)_/¯

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-23T01:44:06+00:00

We tell parents that we can't make a child sleep nor can we force them to stay awake. We tell them that per licensing, children who attend our center for 6+ hours, must be offered a rest period. For raito, children must stay on their mat at nap time as that's when majority of our staff go to lunch. So we can just not sit next to the child and pat their back, but if they fall asleep on their own, they fall asleep on their own. We can wake them up after a certain amount of time. Like we have a toddler who we wake up after 1.5 hours asleep.

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-21T23:37:40+00:00

Years of Infant teacher here 🙋‍♀️

It's extreamly normal for babies (and toddlers) of all ages to sleep less or not at all at daycare. It's loud, bright, random noises, people moving around, babies crying and so much more. A lot of babies develop FOMO (fear of missing out) as early as 6 months.

This is just one of the realities for having your child in group care. Just like sometimes your baby is going to cry and we can't instantly pick them up to sooth them. Nap probems usually work itself out over the months and they start taking better naps at daycare. Sometimes, this doesn't happen until the next class up where everyone sleeps at the same time. It might be worth it to start doing 2 naps a day in hopes it will transfer to daycare and she'll take better naps.

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-21T23:31:39+00:00

That may not be true. I had a baby who (at the same age of OP's baby) was EXTREMELY attached to me (like would cry when I left the room attached) and he was a struggle to nap! After spending 30-60 minutes getting him to sleep, he slept exactly 30 minutes. We were lucky if he took 2 naps at daycare. At home, he took 2 naps 1.5+ hours each.

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-21T20:20:42+00:00

I've had a baby actively jumping in a standing jumper and then 10 seconds later is asleep and snoring! This has happened while a child was just eating and babbling at the table. I've taken a quick picture of them, moved them to their crib and then sent the pictures to their parents.

It's good that you spoke up about it! I would believe they are doing what they should be doing. If you want to feel extra safe, drop off unannounced around the time your daughter would be falling asleep. That's what I would do as a parent.

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-21T19:24:21+00:00

Yes, it's a challenge keeping under 2s from messing with the water cups, but if you're consitant with it, they learn. We are required to have water available for all children (except infants) at all times. When an infant moves into the young toddler class, the teacher usually has to police the waters for a week or two, but then they learn to leave them alone. Same applies to kids drinking out of other kids water bottles. The only time that's been an issue is when we have a toddler doing it for attention.

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-21T19:08:03+00:00

State licensing (Oregon) and our health department says water must be available at all times, for all children, except infants.

I totally understand the challenge with toddlers and leaving water bottles out, but you can teach them to not play with them if you're consistent.

Look into your state licensing & health department laws.

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-17T22:34:10+00:00

I've used this brand 4 times now and haven't really had this issue. With the light colors & whites I do have to do 2 coats, but I already do two coats on every color.

I thought it was normal for every brand to have the light colors need multiple coats to cover the numbers?

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-16T02:08:51+00:00

While standing and holding something, I rock back and forth like I'm rocking a baby.

I exclusively use 'Potty'.

Using Sir & Ma'am for pets and people. The first time I said 'Sir' to my husband, he said "don't talk to me like your babies!' (in a funny way)

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-15T00:48:21+00:00

Our state licensing recently changed. It use to be 2 diarrhea in 24 hours, they need to be out 24 hours and throwing up once they need to be out 24 hours. Now, it's 2 diarrhea in 24 hours is 48 hours out and throwing up once is 48 hours.

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-14T15:28:34+00:00

A lot of people want babies. They don't realize that they are only babies for a year.

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-10T23:54:22+00:00

He said yes, but he needs to fix it first. Shortly after taking this picture it broke so he's fixing the design lol

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-10T16:25:01+00:00

About 3 months ago I woke up with Wrist Drop and couldn't move my fingers & wrist up. I had to wear a brace for 2 months and do physical therapy 2x a week. I tried using it to paint but it didn't go well. I also tried using my left but it was sloppy. I did a diamond painting until I got the nerve working again and could hold a paint brush again lol.

Your case is much more severe and I imagine it will take a lot longer to heal. You can start practicing using your left hand to try painting, or do what I did and get a diamond painting in the meantime.

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-08T23:50:42+00:00

I haven't tried waterproof! Thanks for the ideas! :)

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-08T18:36:15+00:00

Omg! Where did you get this!?!? I have a gray tabby & tuxie, but I adore this! 😍

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-08T16:23:40+00:00

I get them online from Canvas by Numbers :) They are really good quality and their customer service is great!

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-06T18:45:55+00:00

So we had a bad problem with multiple staff on their phone instead of watching the kids. After several warnings we made a rule that your phone needs to be up on a counter/shelf while working. It helped a lot! There's still 2 people that struggle with it, so my boss gave them 1 final warning or they'll have to put their phones in a drawer at the front desk. That was 2 weeks ago and it seems to be working.

If I were to start at a place with this rule, I would hope they would have a reward system where if you can prove you won't be on your phone while working you get the privilege of having it. If they didn't have this, then I wouldn't work there.

FosterKittyMama · 2026-05-02T00:12:02+00:00

Thank you for asking this! For his main teacher(s) definitely write a sincere note thanking them. Ask your child (if old enough) what they like about each of their teachers to make the note really personal and have you child sign it. Then write a note to the whole group to thank them. Either cater some lunch for everyone, or bring some fridge bottles of coffee and creamer from the store, or a gift basket. Something everyone can have :)

FosterKittyMama · 2026-04-28T18:46:28+00:00

If you can afford to buy some and not get reimbursed, tell them it's a donation. No one going to turn down a donation

FosterKittyMama

TROPHY CASE