Originally Posted by
Bridey
In 12 years of childminding I have never had a parent to sit down on pick up!! We've stood and chatted and gossiped and laughed ... but never sat down. Parents develop these habits because you've allowed them to. In future I would advise to have the children ready for collection and never sit down yourself at pick up time.
If they are in your hallway and are talking, position yourself so they are between you and the door. Keep taking small steps forward. You are invading their 'body space', the zone we keep around ourselves that people who are not intimate with us should never enter. Their natural reaction will be to take a step back. Keep doing this, nodding and smiling at their chitter chatter, until they eventually fall over the threshold. Works a treat!