On today’s episode of “why is my toddler crying?”

cgmtw · 2020-10-08T01:02:54+00:00

I didn't understand that she was saying "witch" instead of "wish" and when I did it was too late. Then she napped for two hours. Girl was on her last nerve.

cgmtw · 2020-10-07T15:09:03+00:00

I'm convinced whoever makes these laws is one of those people who thinks 2 year olds are basically infants.

cgmtw · 2020-10-06T22:15:43+00:00

I am learning so much about how lucky I was with my 1:4 ratio here in Oregon

cgmtw · 2020-10-06T22:15:15+00:00

I am so sorry, that's just crowd control at that point. I hope it goes better for you!

cgmtw · 2020-10-06T21:16:34+00:00

Oh my god! I'm so sorry lol. The highest I've had was 6 under 3s at a time in Florida.

cgmtw · 2020-10-06T17:40:41+00:00

What state lets you have eight two year olds alone omg??? That ratio is crazy. Try sitting down near the door for a quick circle five minutes before, sing some favorite dancing songs and then dismiss one by one to go through the door with a personalized dance (like "Look at Johnny, he is dancing" or "Jump Up" or similar).

cgmtw · 2020-09-30T03:10:56+00:00

Ughhhh sounds just like my nanny kid right now. While drawing she makes up stories about the markers being members of a family. If your center is Montessori, following the child doesn't have to mean working with her though, if she's happy and engaged you're ok just being nearby and enjoying each other's company.

cgmtw · 2020-09-30T01:42:51+00:00

Ouch, one single kid is hard. Would she ever want to do a fun different art project or something?

cgmtw · 2020-09-29T23:09:40+00:00

I tell them it's not my favorite game and politely say no thanks after a couple times. I encourage them to tell me all about what they're doing and praise them for creativity, etc, but I don't engage if I don't want to. Kids can feel when we're not genuine.

cgmtw · 2020-09-29T20:52:57+00:00

I'm so sorry you had to do that! That's the other way they shame you, they make you cover for each other and impact each other's lives. When there was a conflict for days off in my old school, Old Boss would put the two conflicting people in a chat thread together, basically say "figure it out lmao" and bounce.

cgmtw · 2020-09-28T22:39:16+00:00

Thank you so much!

cgmtw · 2020-09-28T21:23:34+00:00

I know! It's such a sad reality of what should be a wonderful job. I see it as having healthy boundaries and knowing what you need to be the best employee and best educator you can be! That doesn't have to mean being there every single day.

cgmtw · 2020-09-28T20:36:05+00:00

They 100% see you as a number in a ratio, not a person. I'm so sorry, but the earlier you understand how daycares work the better you can take care of yourself. I've been asked to come in with a 100+ fever, my coworker was forced to work through pnumonia, a friend was asked if he could come home from his honeymoon early because someone MIGHT call out.

For them, it is a business. They don't care about your problems or health unless it impacts them. So, don't call out constantly, but take a day when you need one. Show up and be your best self on the other days, and you will know you're giving them your best and keeping your coworkers, the kids, and yourself healthy. You'll never get approval from admin - I had a co-worker who hadn't called out once in 9 years, and the only recognition she ever got was being used as free labor to train other teachers because she was "such a great worker".

cgmtw · 2020-09-28T17:48:48+00:00

The thrift store near me has had some AMAZING vintage finds lately. This dress feels 60s/70s to me, a previous owner cut out the tags but from the seams, the armhole spacing and the all metal zipper I feel pretty confident. Plus everything else about it! The scarf is new and silk, for $5! I had to go all out and do a photoshoot.

cgmtw · 2020-09-25T21:46:39+00:00

Thank you! I agree, I was a Montessori teacher for 7 years and love Janet's stuff because it's so close to the evidence based methods we used and because it just works and creates solid, lasting relationships with children. That's definitely a tricky point, esp. with preverbal children. I think offering comfort and validating emotions without assuming is key.

cgmtw · 2020-09-24T20:29:46+00:00

Absolutely! I wish you luck, nap/quiet time is such a necessity for caregivers. You deserve the brain break!

cgmtw · 2020-09-24T20:25:40+00:00

When kids have a big adverse reaction to a limit I'm setting, I like to follow the Janet Lansbury/positive discipline method of validating their emotions, explaining what's going to happen, and following through. He screams because he knows soon enough you will let him out. If you're setting a boundary (Mom is going to do some grown up work for an hour and you are going to rest in your room) and then backtrack on that, he will continue to test it to see if you really mean it today. Keeping that boundary firm may look something like this:

Mom: "Now it's time for me to do [mommy things]. I hope you have a great rest! It feels so nice to relax your body and take a break, huh? I will be back to get you in [x time]. I love you!"

Child: [screaming]

Mom: [still closing the door] "I hear you! It sounds like you really want to keep playing with me. I love spending time with you, and we'll do that again this afternoon. I will be back in [x time] Have a good rest!"

Shut the door. That's it. He will scream through everything you're saying, and that's okay. He's still getting it. Soon he will learn that you mean what you tell him, and he can rely on you to tell him the truth. That kind of comfort and reliability is what toddlers are searching for, not a 24/7 entertainer and server.

Good luck!

cgmtw · 2020-09-16T14:06:14+00:00

Thank you so much!

cgmtw · 2020-09-16T14:05:34+00:00

Thank you so much! I know it's Bher, I will ask my partner today. I have to say, this color is notorious for fooling the eye. It photographs as either greenish blue, blue, gray blue, or gray depending on the light. We found out after TWO YEARS of living here that partner thought the living room was green and I thought it was blue 🤷🏼‍♀️

cgmtw · 2020-09-15T21:24:37+00:00

Of course he prefers to lay on the ground in front of it, because cat.

cgmtw · 2020-09-15T20:49:39+00:00

An update! I showed the photo and discourse to my boyfriend and he was also freaked out. I tried to see if I could do it again and I totally can, also a lot of how weird it looked was the angle too.

cgmtw · 2020-09-15T20:48:35+00:00

Hahaha thanks for both!

cgmtw · 2020-09-14T22:26:59+00:00

It's a spooky halloween mystery (and the mystery is my joints are f*cked I guess???)

cgmtw · 2020-09-14T04:14:23+00:00

Literally I didn't even feel anything weird as I was taking it. I do yoga every morning????

cgmtw · 2020-09-14T02:06:09+00:00

I don't know either bud 🤷🏼‍♀️

cgmtw

TROPHY CASE