Nursery workers lift the lid on the worst kinds of parents they’ve faced including precious designer gear mums
FROM tantrums to full on meltdowns, being a nursery worker is by no means and easy job.
And according to several childcare workers, there’s a common denominator that makes their job a whole lot trickier – and that’s the parents.
In a thread shared to Reddit, a woman who works in a nursery revealed how she’s recently been feeling “really irritated and discouraged” in her role.
She explained how she’s been trying her “absolute best,” but says she still can’t seem to please some very particular mums and dads.
“Most of our families are amazing but there are a select few parents that just always seem to have an issue,” the nursery worker commented.
“I thought that hearing about everyone else’s experiences with difficult parents might make me feel a bit better/less alone.”
And it wasn’t long before others who work in the industry rushed to the comments section to reveal some of the “most ridiculous” parent complaints they’ve ever received.
I had a parent complain that their kid had mould in their water bottle, and it was blamed on the fact that we use tap water to fill up the children’s water bottles
Complaining parent
Amongst some the most absurd include one woman who explained how she had a fussy parent who refused tap water for her kid.
“I had a parent complain that their kid had mould in their water bottle, and it was blamed on the fact that we use tap water to fill up the children’s water bottles,” she explained.
“They told me I had to fill it with water from a plastic water bottle to prevent the mould.”
Meanwhile, a second who worked in a “rich person” daycare revealed someone was fuming that their kid got mud on their designer clothing.
“In that same centre someone screamed at and demeaned a staff member almost daily for 3 months because we lost their child’s snowpants,” she added.
“We tore our centre apart looking for them. Sent out an email to parents go check at home.”
However, she says they soon got to the bottom of the mystery and it turned out it was in her car the whole time.
“No apology. Nothing. So ridiculous,” she fumed.
Another recalled the time a mum claimed her child was burned on the radiator at school, when it was in fact, just pink paint.
Former nursery worker reveals essential items parents should have to keep kids entertained
By Carly Bass
Professional nanny and former nursery worker Kathryn Lord has revealed the essential items all households need.
Drawing supplies
Pencils, crayons and paper can keep children entertained for hours, says Kathryn, founder of More To Organising
“There are so many things you can do from drawing, making personalised word searches and mazes to paper aeroplanes, chatterboxes or origami,” she tells Fabulous.
“Add into that some child-friendly scissors and sellotape and you can do so much more.”
Jigsaws
Kathryn says: “Jigsaws are amazing for fine motor skills and supporting problem solving and perseverance.”
The good news is, there’s plenty of options on the market that are suitable for all age groups.
Depending on the size, and the age of the child, jigsaw puzzles can take a long time to complete meaning they’ll keep your little one occupied for hours on end.
Small world play
Small world play such as a zoo or a farm is brilliant for children’s imagination, as well as building their vocabulary, Kathryn says.
All homes should have one available for kids to play with, especially with siblings as it makes for a great activity to play with together.
Play kitchen
Kathryn says: “I always advise my clients to have a pretend kitchen. Children learn by copying what you do and the breadth of learning that can be done here is wonderful.”
She recommends adding in some recipe books and menus for reading opportunities, a pretend phone for speaking as well as a pad and pencil for mark making and writing opportunities (think shopping lists or even taking your order).
“Children did hand prints with paint at the end of the day, one child didn’t wash all the paint off, so her hand was a little pink around the edges,” she said.
“Next thing you know, mum is saying her child was burned on the radiator at school. What radiator?”
Elsewhere, one nursery worker told how she has a dad who gets “extremely upset” when they put daycare clothes on his potty training toddler.
She continued: “Like, ok?? Then bring more clothes from home when we ask you to???”
A further noted how a parent complained that she didn’t talk to them, despite the fact they would “open the door, shove their child in, and leave.”