Should I Have Done Things Differently?

[Thriftylady]

Our craft today was making the mugs with sharpies for dad's. My youngest is 5, and I bought one mug for each child. When we started, I told them to stay sitting, keep the mugs over the table and to hold and touch them by the handle only (as per craft directions). I told them if they broke them they wouldn't get another as I didn't have anymore. Of course maybe I should have bought more, but of course money and storage space is always an issue. Then how many more would I buy? Well as would happen it wasn't two minutes in and my 7 yr old was standing up, holding her cup away from the table and dropped and broke it. She was crying, and I felt for her but there wasn't anything I could do. I didn't have more. Would you have done things differently than I did?

[AmyKidsCo]

Personally I always buy an extra or two, in case *I* break one along the way. But my boys are 9 & 11 and usually use any extra supplies to make gifts so I'm not stuck with a bunch of leftover stuff.

[CityGarden]

I say this gently but if at 7 years old they are not listening and following directions consistently they would not have the privilege of doing projects with fragile materials.

I have given 2 and 3 year old children Ikea or flea market glass cups and plates and have them show respect for those items before giving them items that are more limited / expensive.

You test and build the children's responsibility level and ability to listen and obey in small ways prior so when you are introducing something new you already know they respect your words, will obey and can handle whatever the task is at hand.

The mug breaking because a 7 year old child could not or chose not to follow directions in a natural consequence and no you should not have replaced it even if you had one on hand. If it truly were an accident i.e. another child bumped her as she was listening then yes it would be nice to have another mug on hand and replace it. I do like having an extra 1-2 of any items on hand just in case something happens but there are also natural consequences and if we always rush to FIX their error they do not truly learn.

[Thriftylady]

I say this gently but if at 7 years old they are not listening and following directions consistently they would not have the privilege of doing projects with fragile materials.

I have given 2 and 3 year old children Ikea or flea market glass cups and plates and have them show respect for those items before giving them items that are more limited / expensive.

You test and build the children's responsibility level and ability to listen and obey in small ways prior so when you are introducing something new you already know they respect your words, will obey and can handle whatever the task is at hand.

The mug breaking because a 7 year old child could not or chose not to follow directions in a natural consequence and no you should not have replaced it even if you had one on hand. If it truly were an accident i.e. another child bumped her as she was listening then yes it would be nice to have another mug on hand and replace it. I do like having an extra 1-2 of any items on hand just in case something happens but there are also natural consequences and if we always rush to FIX their error they do not truly learn.

This was kind of my thought, but the tears made me feel bad. This child can listen. For whatever reason today she didn't. I hate when they cry, but I also remember having the natural consequences growing up. These cups were not highly expensive, but I do spend tons it seems for crafts and it adds up fast. That and the storage space limitations for extras is hard. We have 1200 sq feet including the garage, so space is always an issue. Hubby told me the other day that it wouldn't be so hard on my space wise if I wasn't trying to give center type care from my home. He is right, but I am trying so hard to run a quality program. Sigh.

[Annalee]

This was kind of my thought, but the tears made me feel bad. This child can listen. For whatever reason today she didn't. I hate when they cry, but I also remember having the natural consequences growing up. These cups were not highly expensive, but I do spend tons it seems for crafts and it adds up fast. That and the storage space limitations for extras is hard. We have 1200 sq feet including the garage, so space is always an issue. Hubby told me the other day that it wouldn't be so hard on my space wise if I wasn't trying to give center type care from my home. He is right, but I am trying so hard to run a quality program. Sigh.

I understand doing special crafts for holidays but during the other time you could set up the art center....the simplest scraps turn into master pieces...any odd thing I see usually on the floor goes in the art center (after cutting, all those pieces of crepe paper, magazines, cardboard pieces, contstruction paper, old pictures, paper plates, stickers, etc.) set up your environment and allow some free play....if I have to structure every part of my day, it makes for a stressful day. I know your kids are older but they need freedom too.

[daycarediva]

I did a similar craft with my 2-5yo group today. I bought ONE extra (in case I broke something).

I gave them directions and sat at the table while they completed the craft. Only ONE child needed a reminder.

I wouldn't replace it if a 7yo broke it not following directions.

[e.j.]

If I plan a special craft that is going home as a gift for a parent and it includes something that can break easily, I usually have the kids sit with me one-on-one to make sure that doesn't happen. If it's inexpensive enough, I also buy one or two extra "just in case" because there's always that one kid... I often do end up with extras that either have to be stored until I can use them again or I return them to the store for a refund when I can.

I do understand letting the kids experience the natural consequence of not listening or following directions so I don't disagree with what everyone else is saying and I'm not suggesting you should have done anything different. I just know it would bother me to send a kid home with nothing to give their parent on a special occasion so I tell myself, "Kids will be kids" and buy extra in case something goes wrong.

[NeedaVaca]

Break it up more and turn it into a mosaic and spell dad, let her paint it.

[Thriftylady]

I understand doing special crafts for holidays but during the other time you could set up the art center....the simplest scraps turn into master pieces...any odd thing I see usually on the floor goes in the art center (after cutting, all those pieces of crepe paper, magazines, cardboard pieces, contstruction paper, old pictures, paper plates, stickers, etc.) set up your environment and allow some free play....if I have to structure every part of my day, it makes for a stressful day. I know your kids are older but they need freedom too.

I don't structure every part of the day, but with not enough this group will fight and destroy the play room. More than an hour of free play at a time ends in disaster here. I do some unstructured art as well like you mentioned. But I have been trying to do one "project" craft this summer given my group of SA kids.

[Blackcat31]

Break it up more and turn it into a mosaic and spell dad, let her paint it.

plus it'll be a great story for her to share layer with dad!

and it'll be a great lesson for her to have learned.

Sometimes stuff happens but when its your fault; it is YOUR fault.

She can own it, learn a lesson and move on.

I'm so over coddling these kids.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

She's 7, not 3. I would not buy a new one.

[childcaremom]

plus it'll be a great story for her to share layer with dad!

and it'll be a great lesson for her to have learned.

Sometimes stuff happens but when its your fault; it is YOUR fault.

She can own it, learn a lesson and move on.

I'm so over coddling these kids.

So agree with this. It is hard. No one likes to see kids upset however there is a great lesson here.

She is experiencing some natural consequences. She is feeling upset and disappointed. I would acknowledge those feelings with her.

Then: What can she do to 'fix' this?

I really like the idea of creating a mosaic with her pieces. Or offering it up to her as to how she can create something else for dad with the pieces.

[Renae82]

I say this gently but if at 7 years old they are not listening and following directions consistently they would not have the privilege of doing projects with fragile materials.

I have given 2 and 3 year old children Ikea or flea market glass cups and plates and have them show respect for those items before giving them items that are more limited / expensive.

You test and build the children's responsibility level and ability to listen and obey in small ways prior so when you are introducing something new you already know they respect your words, will obey and can handle whatever the task is at hand.

The mug breaking because a 7 year old child could not or chose not to follow directions in a natural consequence and no you should not have replaced it even if you had one on hand. If it truly were an accident i.e. another child bumped her as she was listening then yes it would be nice to have another mug on hand and replace it. I do like having an extra 1-2 of any items on hand just in case something happens but there are also natural consequences and if we always rush to FIX their error they do not truly learn.

I agree!! I usually have extra on hand simply because I am a klutz myself. IN this case the child was given clear instructions and is old enough to be able to listen to them. Even if I had extra I would likely not give it to that child, I would instead give them some craft materials to create something else.

[Unregistered]

This is called natural consequences and it is a great lesson. I would not feel bad. Next time, she'll follow instructions.

[Josiegirl]

How did this all end Thrifty? The mosaic idea was great although I could picture everyone in my group wanting to break theirs too. Lol
I remember one Christmas we were going to do mugs, bought a bunch, something like 3 extra JIC. Well, I was unloading the car, forgot what was in which bag, set them all on the floor and I heard crunch crunch. Checked to see how many I lost, figuring I'd have enough despite my klutziness and I came up 1 short.
So poop happens. Ya just make the best of it and move on.