Sleep Snuggles and Snacks

Not necessarily in that order!

I would be crazy to say that cranky kids just need sleep, snuggles or a snack! There are a million and one reasons why kids cry! It could be anything from pain, or not liking the color of their socks! It has been my experience that pain is the one real reason for crying, however, the other million are usually due to needing one of these three “S’s” and socks not being one of them! Sleep, snuggles or a snack! Usually a combination of the three can bring peace unto the land once again.

I have a little one in my care that cries within 10 minutes of arriving. At first it was simple. He would climb on my lap and snuggle back to sleep. After several months went by, snuggles and sleeping wasn’t working. Being an early arrival, he was hungry way before breakfast at 8:15. Now I keep a snack ready and my little one knows where to get it. Has the crying stopped completely? No! Is the crying quickly resolved? Yes!

When you have a room full of cranky pants kids, and the “rules” are no snacking till its time, it’s tough! Especially if you are working with that one lead teacher who is the regulations queen! I will tell you my way around her/him. I would have a box of cheerio’s ready and play the song, “We are the Dinosaurs.” There is a verse in that song that says, “We stop and eat our food, when we’re in the mood”. I put cheerio’s out for them to eat…and eat and eat and eat! They are not having snack time, but it is satisfying their hunger mood! 

We as adults, reach for our coffee, our candy bar or favorite treat when we are hungry or just want to eat! Why do we get frustrated at our littles who get fussy and whine because supper is late? Or how about that favorite excuse we give, “no eating now, it will ruin your dinner!” The whining is already ruining it! Don’t let them go so long that they are beyond reason! GIVE THE KID A SNACK! I would rather sit at the table with a happy kid who only ate half his supper!

Give it a try next time! Sleep, snuggles or a snack! It might just work out for you and your little one!

Here’s to the snicker bar in your cupboard!


Teri