Working on the ABC

I don't know why a parent would be like this but the child is at the age where they're going to get stuck on it and repeat it over and over. It wouldn't be any different if they were in a 4 year old program in the schools or when they start Kindergarten.

Keep it up and you can take them to starfall.com for great things like a song with the alphabet and such.

It also sounds like they need 20 minutes of books because they probably don't get that at home either.

I think that is great that you have the time to teach her children and I just want to believe she is grateful for that. Maybe you just got her on a bad day. I am a fulltime employee, a single mom and I have a daughter seven. I know sometime I am just wore out when I get home. We do read and do her homework but I know sometimes it takes all I have to funish it. Keep doing what your doing. It sounds like the children are truly grateful for what they are learning. God Bless.

My heart broke when I read your note. I would hope that a parent would be excited and proud and encouraging when their child learns something important like the alphabet. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, perhaps she was feeling guilty that she hadn't taken the time to do it herself, or perhaps she's just too tired to cope with an excited child after a long day at work.

The only thing I can think to do is maybe to tell the mom that you wonder whether her daughter is driving her a little crazy with it, and offer to give the child a set of plastic letters so she can play with them by herself, without bugging mom.

Maybe reopening the topic in a sympathetic way will create an opportunity for the mom to say, "go ahead and keep doing this," or "I wish you'd just stop." If she doesn't raise it, maybe you could just ask her directly.

I would feel exactly like you do. Whatever the mom says, your heart is in the right place. Good luck and let us know what happens.

Sounds like the mother may have some resentfulness about not being her child's primary teacher for whatever reason ... perhaps because she "has to" work and feels resentment out of guilt ... who knows. However, you're doing no harm by teaching them their basics, and unless the mother outright requests you to stop, keep it up - learning is what kids do naturally. Good for you for being more than a "babysitter"!

If it were me, I would keep doing what ya doing. I am sure she will thank you later, her daughter needs to know these things before she hits school and if her mom wants to be ignorant about not spending time with her then thats her fault.

Not sure what to say, its just sad that some parents dont want to take the time to spend with their kids teaching them what they need to know.

G.

My son is 2 years old and he knows most words and the beginning of the alphabet and numbers and a few colors. I know how u feel one of my friends isn't working right now and her lil girl is 3 and can say a lot of things while this other girl I know her lil boy barely talks and she's trying to say it's because he has a speech inpediment but really she sits in front of a computer most of the time and her husband works 3rd shift so he has to get his rest and she doesn't have a job so you would think that she could teach her kid something but she doesn't. My other friends both work and have 2 girls one's 7 and the other is 2 like my lil boy and she barely talks and doesn't know much. So I know how u feel.

I think that if you are going to be in the daycare business, you must assume the best about the parents of the children you care for. You will see both parents and children at their worst at times. Many working moms feeling overwhelmed and guilty for the time they spend away from their kids. Please don't add to that by assuming that she doesn't want her child to learn or that she is a disinterested mother because her child doesn't have the alphabet down by age 4. It's pretty helpful to know the alphabet by kindergarten age but there is no need to pressure children to learn to quickly. Their brains develop very well having plenty of play time for creative play. They don't need to have long lessons too early. . .

Wow, sadly I am going through the same thing, except the child I am watching is my almost 3 year old nephew. He has really taken off on his abc'c and 123's and my brother and sister in-law really don't care. They make the same "He wants to do it all the time" comment. It is very frustrating! But you just keep on teaching her! You are not doing anything wrong. You are helping her out much more than you realize. She see's someone interested in her and you are helping her get ready for school that should be coming up in the near future.
As for why, well some parents are very selfish and dont realize that what they do right now with their children really molds them into what they are going to become. Dont give up on her, she really needs you weather the parents care or not.
As long as they havent told you to stop..keep going! I wish you the best of luck.

Sounds like a guilt issue on behalf of this Mother. She probably feels guilty and jealous that you were the one to inspire the 4 y/o's new learning. Guilt and jealousy can be erased with effective communication. Explain that you are only trying to help and inquire what the Mother wants. Even though it is for the good of the child one should respect the mothers wishes, within reason. Good luck, let us know how it all turns out.