Help!!! What do I do......

[Saz73]

when the 4 yr boy I've now been looking after for a few days keeps saying he wants to go home and that he doesn't like it at my house. I've tried doing all kinds of fun things outside and inside but do not get any response.

what does his mum/dad say about it. has he been to a minder before.

Yes, he's been to a minder and she save notice after 6-8 wks as she couldn't jell with the kids.

I'm going to have to talk to his mum tonite and see what she says. But it's upsetting for me it's the first mindee that's ever said that.

she needs to sit him down, and ask why he feels this way. he is old enough to tell her. have you suggested he bring toys etc from home that he could play with, favorite foods for his lunch. any chance you could speak to previous minder>

Hmmm. Does he seem particularly unhappy or distressed? Is he very distressed when his Mum leaves him?

I am not a minder - but my DS has cottoned on to this sort of thing, having told both my sister and my bf when they were babysitiing for him (and he loves both dearly, and has a great time with them) that he didn't like them, didn't want them to look after him, wanted me, and would they go home?

My bf distracted him (aka spoilt him rotten), my sister calmly and firmly said 'well Mummy will be back soon, in the meantime, I AM looking after you, I am NOT going home, so that's that, lets have a good time'. After a teeny mini sulk for show, he got on with it and has never said anything of the sort since.

This little boy may well be trying it on - I wouldn't assume that it is you, your house or activities that do not meet with his pleasure!! But would discuss it with his Mum before taking such a tack.

My older mindees say this sort of thing from time to time if I've stopped them from doing something they shouldn't! I just agree that there'll be no problem finding them a new childminder - and the panic in their faces when I start the "serious chat" with the collecting parent is a joy to behold! I've never yet been given notice.