parents! a little rant,sorry

[haribo]

was excited this week to get my childrens diaries up and running and gave two sets of parents one at hometime just got them for the little ones for now. one dad just said oh is it gonna be regular then and i said well yes and you can write anything in it that i should know as well i will be useful to exchange info . well back he comes today no mention of the diary. looked in his bag when hed gone and they hadnt even signed it never mind put any comment! feel really deflated now and like i wasted my time. tonight ithink will say ok if u dont want to use it at least sign it before you go to aknowledge my effort in recording his day. has anyone experienced this and what did you do?thanks for any help x

[angeldelight]

First of all rant as much as you like and do not be sorry !!

Sorry that the parent made no comment

Please do not feel deflated it is what most of the parents do so we do all know how you feel

It can be really annoying I know

I would just continue to put the book in the bag then ask them if they are reading it

I do not do my book every day I do it at the end of the week that way when it comes back Monday I hope they looked at it over the weekend

I think some parents can be like this my daughter came home from where she works in a nursery last night moaning about the same type of thing

It is not a reflection on you so do not let it get to you

Angel xx

[custardcream]

I gave up with diaries ages ago as the parents never used to bring them back.
I now have a seperate obs book for each child which i keep at my home and parents are welcome to look at it each day or when they like ( normally never). I also put pictures of the children doing activities and things, I link the obs to the EYFS and when the child leaves they can take the book with them, hopefully it will be a nice keep sake.

[sarahnev707]

I know exactly what you mean! You do all this work and get nothing in return..... or that's what it feels like!

The child is benefitting hugely though and that's what we're all about really isn't it?

I had a child leave recently with a 50+ page memories book full of comments, photos, drawings, cards, a gift, cd of pics etc and never even got a comment.. no text... nothing.. hasn't stopped me doing the same thing for all the others though!

Sarahx

[lisaurry]

Hi there,

I do diaries for the under 3's, and I do them daily but only give them the parents at the end of the week - that way they have time over weekend to read them. They love the diary, but one doesn't comment (but I know they read it as the verbally comment), the other does write comments every now and then.

I think sometimes, they don't really know what to put. But I do know that they really enjoy these diaries, which makes it worthwhile.

I've found its the Mom's that read them mostly, Dad's usually 'can't be bothered', as its not that interesting to them!

I still think its a nice idea, and something to look back on after a while.

Have you spoken to Mom about putting in comments back? Like I say, they might not do it everytime - just once in a while. Just mention it to her again when you see her next.

good luck
Lisa x

[haribo]

thanks for the replies! its brilliant to have people who understand exactly what this job is like. well id understand if they didnt know what to say but mums an infant teacher on mat leave at the mo and the child just comes to me for 2 days for now " to keep his routine" ! so maybe its a bit of a busmans holiday for her . anyway told dad tonight to just sign if they dont want to add anything. also put note in diary saying i need more nappies next week so as hes finished till monday we shall see if they arrive. i just think its great to be able to tell all about the day in this way cos it means i can get him out quicker lol if anyone read my thread on picking up children yes this is the same family.by the way i love the diaries think theyre off someone on here "childminding treasures"so thanks im getting lots more off that site asap its fab and has made me feel much more organised x

[smartimartie]

This job would be great without the parents!

Some of my Parents read and participate, some don't.

I use Post it Notes - I leave them hanging out of the Diary 'I Need..'

The children love looking through them and this gives me my sense of achievement.

PM'd you Haribo. Hoped it helped.

[helenlouise]

Hi Haribo

Tell me about It !!!
We HAVE to do daily journels supplied by our agency and i put alot of effort in, lots of photos, learning stories, precious moments ect. Often i send them home and they don't come back, have to keep asking.
One got left out in the rain and ruined.

They are such a great record of the child, i wish i had done them for my own children.

Helen.

[hazel2]

tochee!
hazelx

[susi513]

I don't get parents to sign my diaries. When they enrole I explain I will write what I can - some days its just brief info, other days they will get lots more feedback about particular activities or conversations/observations. I explain they can use this for messages to me or comments about their child, anything they think useful for me to know.

I send the diary home in their day bags, if they forget to bring it I write just brief notes on a form (the next ones I print I'm going to put "please don't forget the diary" or suchlike at the bottom. Some of these get taped into the diary.

Some mums write quite a bit (one is a teacher and writes me lots of useful info about her ds, she's also decorated the front and will clearly cherish as a keepsake). Others only write in it if they want to book extra hours or change contract but clearly read it from time to time. Some there is no evidence of it being read at all - I'm SO tempted to write "today I locked your child in a cupboard" to see if anyone notices!

[rubybubbles]

susi513 said:

I don't get parents to sign my diaries. When they enrole I explain I will write what I can - some days its just brief info, other days they will get lots more feedback about particular activities or conversations/observations. I explain they can use this for messages to me or comments about their child, anything they think useful for me to know.

I send the diary home in their day bags, if they forget to bring it I write just brief notes on a form (the next ones I print I'm going to put "please don't forget the diary" or suchlike at the bottom. Some of these get taped into the diary.

Some mums write quite a bit (one is a teacher and writes me lots of useful info about her ds, she's also decorated the front and will clearly cherish as a keepsake). Others only write in it if they want to book extra hours or change contract but clearly read it from time to time. Some there is no evidence of it being read at all - I'm SO tempted to write "today I locked your child in a cupboard" to see if anyone notices!

haha that will be the day they do read it lol!!

My new parents are very good , and often get it out of the bag for a quick scan before going home ;D The last set of parents well enough said after everyone's comment just not looked at!!