Am I giving up too easily, is there more I could do?

[woahthere]

I had a little boy start with me 3 weeks ago, he screamed every day bar 1, all day apart from when sleeping. Last week I thought he was getting better, this week he screamed blue murder all day. I am going insane, my other children are going insane, my dh is even looking depressed. I have tried so hard and have never had it happen before but I just dont think I can do it anymore. Its amking me feel like giving up childminding altogether to just have quality time with my 2 year old...he has been really affected. The new one screams all day which is making my other regular mindee go a bit bonkers and he is going round biting my son who is hiding in hte cupboard to get away! I feel like such a crap childminder, I have tried but feel like Ive lost control now. Please help...is there an obvious solution that Im missing?

how old?

hes 14months old

awww poor wee chap

It is awful for all, isn't it

So does he have

A comforter or special toy/cuddly that the parents can bring from home

A special song or phrase or words that the parents use to calm that they can tell you about

Can you get lots of cuddles with him - I find that cuddles are the quickest way of getting an older baby settled (not easy when you have other children in your setting) or does he prefer no faffing?

Also, when he is really worked up, can you take him out in the buggy, or even into the garden - hang CDs outside for him to look at while the others are charging around

its horrible for him, i didnt know a child could maintain that level of anxiety for that long. He has a toy he brings although at home its not really special, he aparently doesnt really have a 'special' thing. They often forget it and I must say the crying is worse then. He has special songs but doesnt like it when I do them! Hes not fond of cuddles, he likes bouncing but unfortunately he weighs about 3 stone and I find it hard to bounce him for long. Im willing to do anything for him and if it was so easy as cuddling and carrying round ive done it, Ive been alternating between cuddling, carrying round and putting in the buggy. We spent a lot of time in the garden and going for walks but we cant do that all the time...he does settle when were walking though. I like the cds idea as he does like this one hanging toy ive got.

You should not give up childminding - you should instead give up the screaming child. Sad as it is, the child cannot upset the stability of your home and the contentedness of your other mindees - the biting is especially worrying!

The one question I would ask is, is he hungry. I had a screamer that suddenly became a lovely little chap as soon as he was being given twice as much to eat!

i offer him lots of food, bad as it sounds he is happy as long as its something naughty being given to him but im not prepared to feed him crap all the time to keep him happy. He eats his food no problem...wolfs it, massive amounts but continues to scream throughout.

Hi do not give up childminding! Yours not a bad childminder. Why are you blaming yourself?

Have you spoken to the parents? I would speak to them and let them know that he very unsettled. Let them know what his behaviour has been like.

I had a situation where one of my mindees was showing very aggressive behaviour to others and well as myself. It was VERY challenging. I HAD to talk to the parents on several occassions. It was too much for me to deal with without their support. I had screaming, biting, you name it.

This is very different but you still need support in dealing with this from the parents. Has the little one been away from the parents before? Sound like he has not.

All the best