Crying siblings, help!!!

[Kingzog]

Have been looking after siblings aged 1 & 3 for 3 months now, once a week full day. 1 year old cries all day unless being held or eating. But today 3 year old has been crying, wanting mummy!! I'm at the end of my tether, in tears myself & wanting to give notice!! I've tried everything!! Why do children cry so much??? What is the psychology behind it?

I don't think 1 day a week is enough at that age, if they haven't settled after this amount of time then maybe it is time for you to give notice.

I have a 9 month old 2 days a week a nd she is always tense on the first day and visibly more relaxed on day 2, luckily from mid April she will be with me 4 days a week.

Do you take them out to activities? To the library etc? Are they tired? What do the parents suggest?

I find a brisk walk with a double buggy often helps all concerned feel a bit better, otherwise you could have the 1 yr old in the buggy and do a nature walk with the 3 yr old. Take a bag to collect rubbish exciting obejects in. Maybe stick them on to something when you get home.

You may note my outdoor theme ... it's my favourite place :)

If they really don't settle, then you need to have an honest talk with their parents about the way forwards.

I've tried taking them to play group 3 year old was fine 1 year old cried the whole time haven't been back since. 3 year old cried/screamed all the way to school drop off this morning, took them for a walk & they both weren't happy. Sigh.

Parents just keep saying they'll get used to it - they got used to her mum (their granma) eventually! Aren't concerned about it at all.

As you don't go to the group anymore are you staying in the whole time?
If you are you need to get out, put them in a buggy and head out taking snack time with you.
Try putting some double sided tape on a sheet of cardboard and seeing what you find on the walk, it will turn into a huge collage or start a big picture that can be added to the following week ask mum to involve the older child in bringing collage material from home, magazine pictures to cut out etc