CM CLUB How do I help parents when a child doesn't want to go home

[jazee]

Help! I know it's not such a bad thing if a child doesn't want to go home BUT it's happening again and I need some ideas/advice to help the situation. The child gets upset and I don't quite know what the best thing to do is?
Does anyone else have this problem?

Get the child ready, shoes on, helping you to tidy up, bags by the front door. Little time as possible to make a fuss.
Depending on the age make sure they have a picture or something to take home for someone.
I have a 2 year old who shows off when mum comes, I take her by the hand and quite firmly ask her to pick up her bag and say bye to everyone. I even have to shut all the doors to stop her running into the house.
To be fair I think its a long day for a toddler and she is hungry and tired by the time mum comes.

Dan'S tips are good, it can be a bit when they don't want to go. As long as your'e sure that their arn't any issues at home then give danth4ths tips a go, they work well, distraction is good, or I have also had the mindees playing outside (front garden) ready so they don't get back into the house, sounds a bit extreme but much better than the tantrums. Also we have taken mindees home which also works well.

Thanks
these ideas sound really good. Bit hard though if they arrive at a different time. Collected early yesterday!
Also thought I might tidy away the main toys, the little one got so engrossed with the toy yesterday - would have been better to tidy up and do a little activity while waiting for parent to arrive. Thing I might read some stories towards the end of a session.

Also depends how much of a rush you/the parent are in. It can be a nice time to chat.

Yesterday I had a 3 yr old refusing to go with her Mum, so her Mum said 'bye' and headed for the door. Luckily the child followed her

Like Dan said, I shut the doors behind us as we head for the front door.