Why should I be the one that has to follow through with kids punishment?(friend vent)

[antkim]

O.K. just another vent!! LOL I watch my friends kids 2 days a week now-just for a few more weeks THANK GOD!!! I've posted before about how they(parents)take advantage of me etc. I chose not to say anything as I am done in just a few weeks and I didn't want to create any problems within our friendship...yada yada yada.
Well today the father dropped them off and told me "No T.V. today because they are punished"(apparently for not brushing their teeth?) Now, I understand TV can be used as a punishment(I do it myself LOL) and usually they don't watch too much anyways but because it has been so hot here I have let them come in mid afternoon(air conditioned)and enjoy a movie for an hour or so. Of course there are other things I could have them do(and I will today) but why is it that I AM THE ONE that has to follow through with this "punishmet"? Why don't they take away something that they enjoy at home in the evening?
I think I am just REALLY burnt out from this and can't wait for it to be over! LOL So I'm sure I am over reacting a bit-I'm just sick of other people telling me what to do in my own home!!
O.K. vent over and feel free to flame me if necessary! LOL

Kim

Kim

 

[onecoolmama]

I completeky agree. Would they send them to a daycare center and say that? That is crazy.


One time, my friend told me that her son woudnt listen to her while we were out. So, she thought if he started acting out..I could punish him (put him on time out or correct whatever he was doing) because he listens to me. I have my own to correct..I dont need to be everyones parent.

 

[decker96]

I think that is a little ridiculous for you to have to do the punishment. Do you have kids too? So they can't watch TV either just because the kids you're watching can't? I mean how would you keep them separated? I think that is kind of presumptious on your friends' part. He should have at least explained the situation to you and asked if it was possible that you follow through with the punishment instead of just announcing that they couldn't watch TV. I would be ticked too, but from your post it sounds like this is not your first problem with them. I don't think I'd be volunteering to take care of them again anytime soon!

 

[Christine]

Kim,
You are letting people push you around. I would had a thing or two to say to the dad. There is no way in the world I would ever go over to my daycare provider and say "Johnny was bad last night and he is off the TV for 2 weeks. I don't want him watching TV here." She'd probably look at me like I was a loon and tell me to go you know where. Daycare providers have a routine and it is NOT their job to mete out your punishments at home. That is added extra work on them. My daycare provider would have to find another thing for my son to do while the other kids were having TV time. Not right.

The only time I would ever do this is with my parents. My kids go visit my parents very often. Many times they have nothing to do so my mom will let them watch TV or play on the laptop. When my son was being punished once (no TV and no computer) he begged to go to Grandma's house. He didn't really want to see her, but thought he could watch TV there and play computer games. So, I had to put my foot down. But that's my MOM, not my daycare provider.

 

[Chicago526]

I agree, it is anoying. But at least they are trying to disapline their kids. I've seen WAY too much bad behavior by kids in public where the parents do nothing to correct it, to complain about parents who DO try to show kids there are consequences for their actions (or inactions).

But the parents in this case should have found a way to punish the kids that doesn't punish you at the same time. No desert for a week or something (especially since the "crime" was not brushing their teeth, it kind of fits).

 

[antkim]

I'm DONE once school starts-THANK GOD!!! Actually, I just said to DH that I will follow through IF IT FITS INTO MY DAY!!! Now, I do get paid minimally for watching them but I'd rather do without than be told what I can and can not do!!
Yes, I do have kids of my own and if they want to watch TV they will watch TV-period!
Did I mention that I am burnt out? LOL Luckily in a few weeks I will HAPPILY working as a WDW travel specialist!!! Now THAT'S my idea of a perfect job!!! LOL

Kim

 

[inaminute]

Turn on the t.v. and watch as originally planned. It's your home, your rules.

If the parents say anything, inform them that they can control their punishments in their home. Not yours.

If they disagree, you should take the opportunity to invite them to find another day care situation.

Grrr...this just makes me so annoyed!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You don't have to.
If it comes down to it (like you need to turn ON the tv to save your sanity), let them watch tv and when they get picked up say sorry I couldn't enforce that rule because too hot out, my kids have this program they wanted to see, I had too OR you could say I am not able to enforce that rule here (sorry), etc...

 

[CamColt]

Oh Kim, {{{hugs}}}! That totally stinks for you. I know there have been times Ive punished my own kids witih no tv and then kicked myself for choosing that punishment, LOL! Thats a tough one on the parents I know.

 

[Pembo]

I have used the no-tv thing lots of times but only at MY house. If they go anywhere, even to grandmas, the rule doesn't apply. (Grandma enforces it anyway ) If they dad had put them in timeout would you have to keep them there all day? An extreme example but you get the idea. Let -em watch this afternoon if they deserve it or you need it. I always let my kids have a chance to earn it back.

 

[SeaSpray]

I'm not going to flame you. I think you have a right to feel that way. The dad doesn't have the right to ask you to enforce a punishment like that. Fortunately you only have a few more weeks left of this! Hang in there!!!

P.S. I give you credit for helping your friends out by babysitting their kids. This is one thing I would never do, unless it was a dire emergency.

 

[shortbun]

The Dad is a dope, and I say that affectionately. But to ask
a childcare provided to enforce a punishment in the childcare
providers home is out there. It's your TV, turn it on if you want
to. I hope he doesn't ask you to spank them next!!!
mimi

 

[Pin Wizard]

That's ridiculous! I would definitely say something. First, in my book it's more stress on you to find other things to keep them busy. Second, if your kids want to watch a show or movie, either your kids won't be watching to keep the peace between all kids, or you'll have a mutiny when your kids watch but the ones you're watching can't! That's not right. He should have the intelligence to tell the kids they won't be watching TV at home. Good luck!!

 

[sk!mom]

My mom is a child care provider in her home. She often has parents ask for special favors. Things like your situation all the way to having a toddler skip a nap so that they will go to bed earlier. She learned long ago not to honor these requests. She politely explains that she has a schedule and routine that is followed in her home and that it really doesn't work for her to interrupt it. Maybe once or twice she has had someone find a new sitter because of it, but normally they just quit asking because good, reliable child care is hard to find. I'm sure that your friends would appreciate you more if you put your foot down and if they don't their not very good friends - in my opinion.

 

[antkim]

They are ALL watching TV right now!

Kim

 

[onecoolmama]

Good for you!!!!