***************CM Club Weekend Staffroom*************

[KaySamuels]

Hello strangers!

I have been so busy this week, have barely been on mn

My new baby has started and settled in brilliantly. The mindee I gave notice to, the mum came round profusely apologising, begging me to reconsider. I have agreed to continue minding until the end of summer term so things finish naturally and amicably (sp?) and have laid down the law on what I expect from mum.

My sister had a baby mid week - she was 3 weeks early!! (Thought I'd give you pg cms some hope!)

How is everyone?? Feel so out of the loop!

Morning.

Kay, glad the baby has settled in and don't forget to be strong with the other mindees mum. Congratulations on new baby in the family does she live local to you to get lots of cuddles in?

DD has brought home Kevin from school (toy monkey) and has done lots of nice things with him so I have managed to get some things done that I needed to do.

Kay, result! Well done you - see?? See what happens when you stick up for yourself? Good for you. And congrats on baby neice!

Hi ML!

Just been out doing some food shopping and got some books for my hospital bag from Oxfam and a little toy for dd. Dd and I sat in the cafe at grocery store and had a little cake and a coffee and was such good fun. DH and ds are both away so it's just me and her. She is so fun (28 mths) at the moment, and my little friend. Got all my newborn nappies, baby wash and nappy liners for the reusables for new baby too so continue to get ready - have another 6 weeks (well 5 weeks and 6 days but who is counting?) to c/s day but I have a need to do SOMETHING while I am waiting.

Oh, and LT - continuation from last night... You MUST tell DH how it's got to be. Men are.. men. They don't get it, and frankly how can they? Being pg is not something you can describe - and their lives are not affected whatsoever during this time. So a little ordering about may be in order here. My dh is rather good about it, but I learned after dd that he needed to be told what I need. Or I just get on with it and do it anyway - i.e. I told him when I was finishing and despite it being a difficult time financially when I give up I know what I will need post birth and prior.

They don't mean to be difficult generally speaking, they are just men!

Hang in there - you are your best defender!

And PS - I am only 33 weeks today so not so very ahead!

Afternoon girls. Old habits die hard. Everytime i see a CM thread, I can't resist getting involved!

Good news about the mum Kay. Sounds like you kicked her *rse! Good for you. Lets hope it gives you the strength & confidence, should any problems arise with any of your families now. Sometimes you need something like this, to make parents realise wha they've got. Lovely news about a new baby too.

Crace, I love 2 year olds! They are the best, aren't they? I could talk to mine for hours and never get bored!

Looney, I haven't read the thread about your DH, but I'm sensing you made some changes and won. Well done!

Mumlove, you've reminded me I need to sort out a little diary for my Rainbows. We've got a mascot, which I want them to take home each week and do a similar thing to Kevin the monkey!

Right, off to sort my family out for our trip to the Marathon tomorrow. Ridiculously excited. We go every year and its the best atmosphere!

Hi everyone. What you all got planned for the weekend? I'm just sat here having toast and a cuppa and enjoying a quiet house whilst the boys are out Had an odd start to the morning and spent half an hour trying to get myself out of bed but couldn't as was really dizzy, and I was just lying down!!! Anyway, after about half hour it passed. I eventually went for a shower but the boys stayed until I'd finished, just in case, bless Then Tesco delivery arrived so dh helped bring it in then took ds out to the tip etc. whilst I unpacked. Took AGES!!! So now don't feel too guilty about putting my feet up for a bit

Kay - great about baby settling in and even better than parent begged I can't remember the full details now.....is this the one who was shouting at you? Was it something to do with needing to know hours/payment? Can't remember. Anyway, well done

crace - how lovely that sounds with your dd I LOVE the very rare time ds and I go and do something like that on our own. I'm really looking forward to our family time where he's not just shoved to one side whilst I'm sorting everyone else out!! And sounds like you're getting organised I've hardly done anything and am getting stressed as I'm one of these people who likes things sorted early and then can relax! Just that dh is sort of decorating upstairs so things all over plus until the wardrobe is built in the spare room, I can't sort through bits and put away etc. I'm desperately wanting to 'nest' but finding it hard!!

As for dh, I know what you mean but there's not a lot I can do about the mess up with the maternity leave is there? Anyway, it's only a week I suppose. One thing I did get him to do last night is understand why I didn't want to go to a wedding, which is 3 hrs away, 2 days before I'm due! thread here if you didn't see it

Mo - you're part of the 'gang' now so it doesn't matter that you're no longer childminding!! As for dh, it wasn't a thread about dh, just me moaning in yesterday's staff room about messing up my maternity leave and I was a bit upset. Not a lot I can do about it though.

Right, need to burst into action as stuff to do, just need to pick one of the horrible 'sorting' jobs

Bye for now x

Hi all, well apart from having a sore throat and ds having an ear infection, managed to get alot done today AND get dragged around IKEA with middle dd (14)!

The 3 boys I have taken on seem to be settling in and starting to fit in with my rules, the 2 older ones are constantly at war, (typical brothers) so I have bought in reward charts to get good behaviour out of them. The youngest one is ok but is fast learning to sulk when he doesn't get his way but it doesn't work with me. I wish I had little ones who started wheh they were young and got used to my rules/routine, its harder when they are 9,6 and 3 1/2.

Well, gotta got and get tea sorted. Have a good weekend!

Evening all

I am writing a kinda of manual for using Katymac as a childminder

So far I have.....
Holidays ? this year at WC we are closing between 1pm on Christmas Eve and 7:30am on Monday 5th January. We are also closed from 18th August to 22nd August for our summer break. Neither of these breaks are paid for by you. Sometimes we may need to operate on shortened hours e.g. 8 ?til 5 or 9 ?til 3, this would only be in an emergency (hospital appointment, unexpected illness, funeral or death in the family). You, of course, can take holidays at any time, we would appreciate notice but understand it isn?t always possible. If we are available to mind your child and you chose not to bring them here unfortunately you still have to pay to keep the space available for your child.

Illness ? if we feel your child is too poorly to be here, please respect that decision. If our carers catch something from the children we may have to close, so please don?t bring poorly children expecting care.

Meals ? meals are provided at no additional cost. For a small sum additional meals can be sent home for children who leave before mealtimes or for parents. If you would like to join us either for a meal you child is here for, or on a day your child does not attend there is no charge. You would be very welcome although a bit of notice would be appreciated.

This isn't policies and procedures just a page of info - does that make sense?

Next para

Spare Clothes ? it is really important to have spare clothes at WC, we do messy play, water play and baking which all make a mess, nappies and potty training make mess too and occasionally accidents (baked beans in the lap) so without spare clothes children can feel uncomfortable or cold. We do not have space to store clothes for the children we care for, so without spares they may end up in a nappy or underwear until you turn up.

what else do I need to add

Mum2Luke - pleased they are settling in well but I agree with you about having them from little, much easier I'm lucky that I get really little ones who grow up in my care so don't really have those problems these days.

Katy - looks good to me

katy - looks good but i found the bit about meals confusing
why are you offering free meals to parents?

Because it's really nice - very good for the children and for us - socialising and also parents are pleasantly surprised by the food

Might be a pain if they chose to everyday - I'll have a think

KM - what about special occasions? Do an xmas one etc?

My ds' daycare (in the states) did that for us for Thanksgiving etc and it was lovely to come and have a meal with him and all the other parents. They served up a buffet style lunch and it was great fun

Christmas one was a nightmare - all the parents together

One at a time is much easier

katy - that's a lovely thing to do but why do you not charge?

TBH when you are cooking for 9 under 5's (plus 3 older in the holidays) and 3 staff and dh another one makes not the slightest difference

but why "on a day your child does not attend there is no charge" ? i feel i am missing something? what if everyone decided to come as it is free?
i'm not trying to be awkward - i just don't understand it

Well it's just nice - like friends kinda

But I guess it does need thought

I guess stuff like this is why I make no money isn't it

I like the idea of providing the occasional meal for parents. I've known nurseries to have a basket of health food bar type things, fruit, for parents to help themselves to on their way to work, as breakfast.
Only issue I can see is if a parent decides that they want you to make their evening meal on a very regular basis, nightly even! But if that was to occur, I would expect they would be reasonable and come to an arrangement with regard to paying for their meal (be it take-away, or with your family).

I'm back to work in the morning... oh the joys of getting up at 6am. Just heard that one of the children isn't back at school until Wednesday, so I will have two days to entertain her plus her younger siblings. Better check the weather forecast, with luck it may be nice and we can go and make dens in the woods, make sand castles by the lake (has a sandy beach). Think in my area some schools are still off this week, so local commercial attractions will be charging full whack - so will be avoiding those.

i think it's a great thing to do - but i would and do charge for meals £1.50 per meal so still cheaper than school dinner - i would be worried that people would take the piss and just come to eat the free food and that it'd take forever to get them out the door at night - i really need my family time - tea-time included.