CMs: Blimey you lot must be skinny!

[StrawberryMartini]

Decided childminding is great for dieting! Have not eaten a thing all afternoon - haven't had the time. 4 year old and my own 16 month ds kept me well busy! I take my hats off to you lot I don't know how you manage 6 of them.

Few questions:

1. New boy is muslim - will obviously talk to parents re diet, Ramadan has started so I assume he's not fasting, but is there anything else I should know? Does anyone know when eid is?

2. We went to a soft play centre this afternoon (for Looneytunes - the Madhouse!) and he was happily playing so I nipped off to the loo - was this ok? Otherwise how else do I do it?

3. He was a bit hyper today - is this normal for a first day or is he going to be like it every day lol! Can see myself fitting into my old jeans within the week... He's not naughty but couldn't sit still for a minute - again, is this normal?! Any ideas for calm activities?

4. Do you let your mindees watch tv? I switched it on while I was making ds's tea and peace reigned! Is it ok to use in moderation - I know he watches it at home.

All in all had a lovely day. Got 2 tomorrow as other 4 year old is coming for taster day.

in answer to Q2:

I wouldnt leave a child alone in soft play while i went to the loo...
I bring them all in with me, ideally into a disabled loo, cause then there is more room!

OR i make 4 year old use the loo in cubicle next door to my cubicle while i use the loo with 2 year old in with me!

Q4: watching a small amount of telly while you get on with other things such as making tea does no harm IMO!

Glad you had a nice afternoon! I would do the same as NL, use the disabled loo or alternatively, I have been known to be completely breaking my neck when I get home!

Nothing wrong with TV either, just not constantly. I used to switch on after playgroup for elevenses. It can actually be quite educational at times! Mindee who is 2 loves to do Boogybabies! Although I have to do it too!

Couldn't say really, if he was hyper today because its all new or if he's always going to be like it - spirited I think they call it! I'm sure you'll let us know!

Oh and I don't get my lunch til after pm school run sometimes, when the littlies are jumping all over the schoolies!

SM you were brave going to soft play om your own I go with London11 and tori32, (well somebody has to be the sensible one, and they deffo arnt) so we can nip off one at a time.

yes they do calm down, stories, lego, drawing, tabletop toys tend to quieten things down.
And yes I have the TV on while Im preparing food.

As for the Muslim question, have you any Muslim friends, if not books from the library?

Forgot about the religion question! I think Eid is in Decmeber sometime, not sure though. When you do have a chat with the parents, make sure you express an interest in what they cook that traditional! I've got 2 seihk boys and a Turkish boy and I get some lovely food sometimes!

hi strawberrym,

1. dont know what eid is, but sure u could google 4 it.
2. wouldnt leave him, would take him 2 the loo with me. 3)normal 4 1st day.
3. i let mindees watch t.v but only cbeebies educational stuff, most parents are ok about it. x

Hiya mate, let me know when next at the Madhouse and I may well join you if the time suits. I don't go on my own unless there are only 2 kids as otherwise I find it too much.

1. No idea, sorry
2. Sorry but no, don't leave them ESPECIALLY somewhere like that. I take them all in with me, actually, I sometimes leave ds if he's happy but that's my choice as his mum.
3. I'd say it could be excitement and should settle down, only time will tell. I'd take it as a good sign
4. Yes, they watch it (if they want) when I'm preparing lunch and preparing dinner. Otherwise I'd never get it done plus it helps calm them before mealtime.

mindees must always be within sight or sound. If you have to use public wcs you have to decide if its appropriate to take in cubicle with you. Little ones I take in cubicle, older ones wait outside - keep em talking so you know they're not wandering.

The cm diet (where you never quite get past 1/3 cup of coffee, finish your breakfast at lunchtime and find your half eaten sandwich still isn't finished at 5:30) isn't quite enough to win my weight battle. Kind of counter balanced by being limited to toddler-speed all the time I guess! DS asked me if I was "big & chubby" when I met dh. Told him I was just as slender as I am now (that puzzled him immensely!)

Hello Strawb,

1. Have you asked parents if boy can only eat halal foods? Muslims aren't supposed to eat anything that has pork in it. Young children are usually exempt from the fasting during Ramadan as they're still growing.

Eid is on 13th October which is a Saturday this year but celebrations usually go on for days.

2. I would've taken mindee to toilet with me and squeezed all in a cubicle together as you just don't know what can happen when you've gone even for a minute.

3. Maybe he is a naturally hyper child! Good exercise as you say!

4. I would let mindees watch tv for an hour or so every now and then. There's no harm, is there? I think it's nice to have something to wind down the day with for the children.

Good luck with new mindee tomorrow!