CM CLUB - Do you let your dc's take friends on days out and if so WWYD?

[LoveMyGirls]

Just quickly I took 6 dc's out today (2 were mine, 1 was a friend of my dd1 and 3 mindees) I told dd1 (aged 10 btw) that if their friend behaved she could come again providing I have car space, the were really good all day until they decided to hide from me, I found them quite quickly and told dc I wasn't impressed and that I didn't expect to have to look for the oldest two of 6 children and that they would have to stay by my side and I wouldn't let dc bring friends with us again. Safety is paramount and while they probably didn't think it was serious I did and I think dd1 knows me well enough by now and should have told her friend that hiding from me wasn't a good idea.

Was I too OTT or what would you have done?

Usually I wouldn't have room anyway for an extra one but if this situation occurs again what should I do?

I don't take other children even if I am below numbers precisely for this reason; friends have to come when I am not working, which can mean evenings or weekends

At 10 they ought to know better and so I would say no to a re-run LMG

No you wern't being ott, I would have said exactly the same thing, I allow friends if we are on an in day, but not if we are doing trips.

I take friends out with us (within my numbers), but my DD is clear that the mindees need my attention and she is there to help, not hinder. We have had some great days out and DD and her friend have been excellent as extra hands to hold, help at lunch, push pushchairs, etc. If it was not like this, then I would be VERY reluctant to do it.

If you limit friends coming to only when you are not working doesn't this punish your own children? I have always let my daughters friends come with us if i have the room and within numbers etc.

I don't think the OP over reacted - i would have done the same. Regardless of who the children are they ALL have to understand the "rules" and boundaries which after all are there so that everyone has a good time.

I would let the child come again but would speak to them and possibly their parents about what you expect when they are with you and why.

You told your child you wouldn't let her have a friend come again, so that is what you should do, or your word means nothing.

You're not being OTT if you feel that was a suitable punishment. FWIW I think it was suitable and they were old enough to know better.

No I don't see it as 'punishing' my children - if I was WOH then no children would come not even my own

This is the kind of balancing act we childminders have to do

To accomodate my family's needs I finish by 4 pm and don't work Fridays; I appreciate that not all CMs can work such limited hours but as I am not the main breadwinner I can

It's tricky, I agree