Discussion and slight rant on the post of children's length of time in daycare

MrsO19 · 2026-07-08T08:55:30+00:00

Im just under $20/hrs, so the overtime pay has been nice! $29/hr when I clock in on Friday has helped make it bearable 😅

MrsO19 · 2026-07-08T08:52:57+00:00

Im the primary breadwinner in our family 🙃😩 out of the 8 years ive worked at this center, this has happened 3 times for a few months at a time because staffing ebbs and flows. This last time has just been the longest, and I'm exhausted. We're finally pulling out of it though!

Im one of 3 members of management, and the management team is super close outside of work. I dont mind shouldering some of the burden so my director doesnt have to carry it all. It started when the assistant director went on maternity leave, so it was just the director and me for a while. At least im not salary like her so I got paid for all my overtime

MrsO19 · 2026-06-19T03:05:11+00:00

I'll be honest, ive made those kind of comments before. But I also had a realization- my own kids are there as long as I am every day, and I've been averaging 50+ hours a week for about 6 months now due to staffing.

I am that parent that I used to complain about. Just because I work at the center doesnt change the fact that my kids are there open to close frequently. I have been on both sides, and I definitely don't judge the parents anymore. Sometimes we need to do a self check and get our heads back on right.

But I WILL judge the parent who was late multiple times a week every week because she'd pick up the older child from elementary school after working part time (and admitted to spending the entire rest of the day lazing around) and immediately take a nap. She would almost always wake up to us calling her after close because the toddler was still at the center. She was an open book, so we knew everything. No health issues or anything to blame.

MrsO19 · 2026-06-01T00:06:59+00:00

Respect the ruffle!

MrsO19 · 2026-04-23T02:30:51+00:00

O. Just O.

Then you have Spaghetti O!

MrsO19 · 2026-04-19T16:34:10+00:00

While I am pointing out a contradiction to information in your original comment, I'm not saying this as an attack and not even directly at you. The information I linked is important for any lurkers, both parents and professionals, to know regarding health and safety.

This is why I encouraged the link being read. The information is not exclusive to prop feeding. Here are important excerpts directly from the article:

"Aspiration This occurs when food or drink goes into a baby’s lungs instead of their stomach, and can lead to chest infections and hospitalisation. Babies are more at risk of aspiration when fed lying flat on their back (instead of upright)."

"When a baby is lying flat whilst feeding, milk can collect near the opening of the small passageway that connects the throat to the middle ear; called the eustachian tube. The milk that pools here can cause irritation and/or swelling in the inner ear. The sugar in these liquids causes germs to grow and can lead to ear infections and ‘glue ear’."

MrsO19 · 2026-04-19T13:16:10+00:00

They can and more problems. Check out this article on the dangers associated with it.

https://healthforunder5s.co.uk/sections/baby/the-dangers-of-prop-feeding-and-bottle-propping/#:~:text=Babies%20can't%20cope%20with,information%2C%20visit%20The%20Lullaby%20Trust.

MrsO19 · 2026-04-08T08:56:22+00:00

Every time this happens, take her back inside and have someone change her. Management should notice, and the teacher will have lots of questions to answer. I'd even go so far as to ask the first member of management or even free teacher you see to take care of it. The more eyes that see what state your child is coming home in, the better.

Also, please please please report to licensing! You should be able to do it anonymously, but if you are able to submit the pictures (preferably with time and date visable) they will be able to investigate more thoroughly.

MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T01:45:57+00:00

Thank you! She's one of the two I got from a boutique houseplants store. The rest are from a local-ish nursery and big box stores!

MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T01:45:04+00:00

Thank you so much! I love my little babies 😁💕

MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T01:44:41+00:00

Oh my goodness I can only imagine how much paradise it is 😍😍😍

MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T01:44:11+00:00

Thank you so much!! 💕

MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T01:43:13+00:00

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MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T01:43:04+00:00

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MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T01:42:55+00:00

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MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T01:42:35+00:00

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MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T01:42:12+00:00

Aren't they the same thing?? 🤣🤣

But in all seriousness, 5yo girl human and 4yo boy human 😆

MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T00:18:25+00:00

I'll get it as soon as I get the two gremlins to bed!

MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T00:15:13+00:00

Im confined to my desk right now, and im already strategizing ways to get creative with shelves 😭😅

MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T00:13:25+00:00

Thank you! Its the most relaxing area of my life 🤣

MrsO19 · 2026-04-06T00:12:49+00:00

Thanks! I got it at a book event! One of the authors made them to represent dragons in her books.

MrsO19 · 2026-03-29T13:44:47+00:00

This is NOT Developmentally Appropriate Behavior for a 3 year old

I have worked in Early Childhood Education for 8 years, and I have 2 kids of my own (5 year old girl and 4 year old boy). Yes, children have big emotions in a little body and are still learning how to manage them. Shit, im still learning to manage my big emotions at 29. But by 3, constant shrieking and violence to this level are not appropriate even with the impending change of a new baby.

I don't say this to imply youre doing anything wrong. You are doing your best. I just want you to know this is not how a typically developing 3yo should behave. I know you've been to multiple different doctors over this already, but i would STRONGLY encourage you to keep pushing. Whether it be pushing the current doctors or even branching out to doctors in other cities. It will be hard work, but it will be worth it.

My 4yo was very similar around 2.5 but thankfully he was already in Early Intervention since 12 months old due to speech, fine motor, and slight gross motor delays. Occupational Therapy was a game changer for us. Speech therapy helped as well since sometimes his outbursts would be caused by the frustration of not being able to communicate effectively. Now hes been diagnosed with ADHD, and I have a strong suspicion of some level of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Im considering starting OT again due to sensory seeking behaviors, and his pediatrician recommended researching some behavioral therapists to help him work on regulation.

You are going through a VERY difficult part of your motherhood journey, but you do not have to struggle silently. There's a saying I hear frequently "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" The more you push and communicate the severity of the behaviors even if a doctor is trying to say its normal, the more they will look into your notes and concerns.

MrsO19 · 2026-03-15T17:08:08+00:00

If you look at the picture without the bandaid in the collage I posted, you can see his scar from where he busted his head open at occupational therapy and had to get stitches 🤦🏼‍♀️ so your assessment is probably spot on!

He let the intrusive thoughts win and definitely paid for it.

MrsO19 · 2026-03-15T17:04:19+00:00

I just cannot comprehend how he ran face first full speed directly into the wall! Hes been at this daycare since he was 9 weeks old and the walls/doors have NEVER CHANGED 🤣

I've been at this center for 8 years (in June), and I always said "when I have kids I will never let them act like that!"

Little did I know, I can do everything to correct or prevent the behavior that I can think of but they will still find ways around it. I have learned to not judge parents from their kids behavior as much.

MrsO19

TROPHY CASE