Dear Chat Daddy, A baby thug is disrupting my home child care center!

Dear Chat Daddy,
I really need your help. I run a Christian home day care center and just recently I took in a 3-year-old who I believe is a real problem child. Lately, I’ve noticed that his behavior is a bit disturbing. He constantly bullies the o

Dear Chat Daddy, I really need your help. I run a Christian home day care center, and just recently I took in a 3 year old who I believe is a real problem child. Lately, I’ve noticed that his behavior is a bit disturbing. He constantly bullies the other children and doesn’t listen when told to do something, and he can only sing adult rap songs. I’ve also taken note of the fact that his parents dress him like a little thug, having him wear inappropriate clothes for a child his age. I am wondering if this is because his parents are a young couple in their early 20s and they are just naive and don’t know any better. I’ve tried talking to his parents about this, but they are not really taking me seriously. I am beside myself over this matter. Chat Daddy, all children deserve care and nurturing, but this is getting out of hand, and it goes against what my school stands for. What should I do?

-No Thug Behavior Being Taught Here

Dear No Thug Behavior Being Taught Here, I would like to first commend you on having a Christian home day care center in which you dedicate your time and energy to enhancing toddlers’ social and educational development. I can certainly understand the dilemma here. I would suggest that you have one final sit-down with his parents. This is definitely not acceptable behavior, and they really need to be held accountable for their child’s actions. The issue here is just plain ignorance, not being young and naive. Start by saying that you are only thinking of his well-being and that his growth and development is very important to you. It may also be a good idea to include the fact that if this behavior is not nipped in the bud now at this formative time in his life, it could only get worse and could lead to even bigger trouble down the road. If they continue to have a nonchalant attitude, you may just have to cut your ties and explain to them flat out that he has to leave your day care because children behaving out of order on a constant basis and wearing inappropriate clothing is not acceptable. It goes against your personal beliefs and your day care’s mission. Be encouraged.

Dear Chat Daddy, I’m a 35-year-old female who has been going to the same beautician since high school. I really felt comfortable with her handling my hair because she really knew how to care of it, and we’ve had a great relationship over the years. Lately, I’ve been displeased with her. The issue is that she shows up late when I have scheduled appointments, and most times I can’t even get in her chair anymore because she is overbooking clients. I noticed that she has a cold shoulder towards me and often acts very rude. Chat Daddy, I think about all of the money over the years that I have spent by going to her, and I am trying to figure out if I should leave her because of all this. I tried speaking to her several times about how I feel, but she just ignores me, which honestly hurts my feelings because she’s all I’ve known, and I don’t want to leave her high and dry. Please help.

-You Are In Denial So I’m Gone

Dear You Are In Denial So I’m Gone, While it is understandable that you feel a certain loyalty to this particular stylist, it is evident that you are not happy, plain and simple. I would suggest that you seriously consider moving on to a new stylist. Sweetheart, your time and money are precious and should be taken into consideration. When you are spending your money for someone to provide an important service for you such as hair care and styling, you should be treated with the utmost respect. Spend some time doing some research, finding a new stylist. Ask some of your girlfriends. Talk to relatives and even go online to find some new and trendy salons that you can check out on your downtime. Walk away. You don’t have to explain to her why. If you have been a dedicated client of hers for all these years, she should definitely have some integrity instead of taking you for granted. Here’s to you finding a stylist who will not only whip up your hair to your satisfaction but will give you the most professional attitude and service that you deserve.

Art “Chat Daddy” Sims can be reached via e-mail at chatdaddy@chicagodefender.com.