I am a childcare center director, and I just had a conflict with a parent. Their child has many foods they aren’t permitted to eat due to the parent’s preferences. This child is a school ager and only comes to the center after school from 3:30 – 6:00. She brings her own snacks to the center. We asked her father to bring in some extra snacks to keep at the center because they forgot to bring her a snack on multiple occasions. The items he brought in for her say “may contain tree nuts.” We are a tree nut-free center and can not serve anything that may contain nuts.
I spoke to the father about this, and he was agitated. Though I used eye contact and let him know I understood his frustration, He didn’t know why he had to worry about other children’s allergies. I was polite and said it is our policy to ensure the health and safety of everyone at the center. He stormed out of the office and out the door. I just started this new job a week ago, so I haven’t had time to build meaningful relationships with the children, parents, and other staff members yet. I looked up all the items her parents do not want her to eat and raw almonds and walnuts are on that list. That frustrated me a bit because they are both on the tree nut list. So really, our policy is protecting his child as well as other children. Of course, I will not bring this up when I speak to the father next time because I do not want to anger him more. It just frustrated me to think he only thought of his daughter and not all the children.
I know I will be speaking with him on Monday morning and would appreciate any ideas you guys can give me. I have looked up different snack ideas the little girl can have at the center, and I will email him the ideas tonight. Hopefully this will show the father that we care for his daughter and her needs. (“The Basics of Non Violent Communication 1.1,” 2010) Also we support the fathers fight in finding healthy snacks for his daughter. I will make sure my email is compassionate and I will apologize for an inconvenience the policy has on the family.
Reference
The Basics of Non-Violent Communication 1.1.
(2010). [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-129JLTjkQ
I am so glad that you were so aware and present in the way thats you were communicating during an especially difficult conversation. It is honestly quite inspiring to see educators like yourself be able to remain objective in their care and love for the children in their program.
ReplyDeleteWhen loved ones are the subject of a discussion especially when you are stressed and worried, it can be extremely taxing and one can forget simple rules of social conversations, so I am glad that you are still willing to try and continue to work with these parents to ensure that the other children and his daughter are going to get the best care possible.
It's always so hard to handle nut allergies with centers. We've had a few families consistently send in things with nuts after repeatedly telling them that we are a nut free facility. I've definitely had to have quite a few gentle conversations to remind them that we can't have any of them in the program. It always ends up with a dirty look or two. I hope that you're email goes over well and that he doesn't cause too big a stink about you trying to look out for not only his daughter but the other kids!
ReplyDelete