Venting Thread

[AmyLeigh]

I must be the last person who thinks PG 13 movies are inappropriate for preschoolers. Every week someone comes in bragging about a movie I won't allow my children to watch.

On a side note, Dh's back is worse this week and I am stressed out watching him be in so much pain. I don't know if I should scream, cry or throw up.

[Sugar Magnolia]

What are these parents thinking?!

I had a family tour last week. They said they liked the place and wanted to sign up. Had an appointment set for friday to sign paperwork. No show, but did call to reschedule for monday, no show or call. Mom shows up with child in tow, no paperwork, just expecting to drop him off. Rude! I turned them away. Ugh. Now they want to start tomorrow. I should jettison them now!

[Blackcat31]

We had a parent come to us one morning asking for help with controlling her son's tantrums every morning. We gave her the usual advice: quick kisses and leave, give him wave at the window then get in her car and leave. The thing is, DCB only does this because she feeds into it and he can get what he wants. With us however, is is an angel.

Fast forward to this morning. DCB comes in acting like a newborn fool. Jumping up and down screaming yanking on mom arm begging to be picked up. One of the teachers went over to DCB and told him to stop it. She told him that he is too big to act like that and he's big enough to walk in by himself. She gave him a tissue, told him to give mom a kiss and took his hand to walk him to the window to say goodbye. Well, my Director called us (3 teachers) in the office. She told us DCB's mom was highly offended because DCB was called out on his actions and she felt we ganged up on her and we didn't respect her son's right to have a tantrum. We burst out laughing. She also put in her notice because we don't respect her son's rights and she doesn't feel comfortable leaving him with people who don't respect him. We are slowly but surely weeding out the crazy.

...there are no words

[Meyou]

:::: Now I've heard it all.

[MizzCheryl]

I think some of these parents love the fact that their child has a fit when they leave.
Makes them feel better like the child misses them.

[saved4always]

We had a parent come to us one morning asking for help with controlling her son's tantrums every morning. We gave her the usual advice: quick kisses and leave, give him wave at the window then get in her car and leave. The thing is, DCB only does this because she feeds into it and he can get what he wants. With us however, is is an angel.

Fast forward to this morning. DCB comes in acting like a newborn fool. Jumping up and down screaming yanking on mom arm begging to be picked up. One of the teachers went over to DCB and told him to stop it. She told him that he is too big to act like that and he's big enough to walk in by himself. She gave him a tissue, told him to give mom a kiss and took his hand to walk him to the window to say goodbye. Well, my Director called us (3 teachers) in the office. She told us DCB's mom was highly offended because DCB was called out on his actions and she felt we ganged up on her and we didn't respect her son's right to have a tantrum. We burst out laughing. She also put in her notice because we don't respect her son's rights and she doesn't feel comfortable leaving him with people who don't respect him. We are slowly but surely weeding out the crazy.

Wow...never heard of "respecting a child's right to have a tantrum". Must be some new-fangled parenting trend. ::

[Bookworm]

Don't ask and we won't tell

We had a parent come to us one morning asking for help with controlling her son's tantrums every morning. We gave her the usual advice: quick kisses and leave, give him wave at the window then get in her car and leave. The thing is, DCB only does this because she feeds into it and he can get what he wants. With us however, is is an angel.

Fast forward to this morning. DCB comes in acting like a newborn fool. Jumping up and down screaming yanking on mom arm begging to be picked up. One of the teachers went over to DCB and told him to stop it. She told him that he is too big to act like that and he's big enough to walk in by himself. She gave him a tissue, told him to give mom a kiss and took his hand to walk him to the window to say goodbye. Well, my Director called us (3 teachers) in the office. She told us DCB's mom was highly offended because DCB was called out on his actions and she felt we ganged up on her and we didn't respect her son's right to have a tantrum. We burst out laughing. She also put in her notice because we don't respect her son's rights and she doesn't feel comfortable leaving him with people who don't respect him. We are slowly but surely weeding out the crazy.

[Bookworm]

Background: DCB was brought by dad in a rear facing carseat placed in the back of a work van. It was held in place by bungee cords. I called CSB about it and he took parenting classes... Just about every time he drops DCB off now he texts 10 minutes before he is to be here to let me know he is coming. Sometimes I have been here and sometimes not, I always let him know.

TODAY: My phone was dropped over the weekend and not working. I let ALL the DCF know and got their times of arrival for today. DCD apparently didn't get the memo from DCM because he not only does his usual but today I had an appointment and was out during the time he wanted to drop off (his scheduled time is to arrive at 2, sometimes he comes earlier if dad drops off). So what does he do? He enters MY HOUSE, which it was my fault for leaving the door unlocked but we live in the middle of nowhere and never really ever lock our doors. Then, this was the kicker, LEAVE HIS SON IN THE HIGHCHAIR AND GOES TO WORK. I got home to a 15 month old sitting in the highchair with a sippy and come cheerios (which dad got into MY CABINETS to get) and NO PARENT ANYWHERE! My neighbor got suspicious (thank God the child was never left completely alone thanks to awesome neighbors) and called me then called the cops. How irresponsible and STUPID is this guy???? I told the cops he works under the table too, probably not the smartest but the guy is going to jail anyways...

Best part: boy is in custody of CSB overnight to sort things out and mom called me cussing and throwing a fit over it. She ACTUALLY said "well he was restrained, not like he could hurt himself or anything" REALLY? REALLY? WOW.

Ahhh... Can't really talk about the case much more than that but holy cow, the nerve of these people. I feel so bad for that little boy right now.

That man can not be that stupid or else he would have wandered out in traffic by now. What in the h*** was he thinking? Did he even bother to call out or check your house? He obviously had time to plunder in cabinets for food, how much time could it have taken to look around for you. And why was mom mad at you? You would think she'd be grateful for looking out for her son. You weren't the one who left him in an empty house. I'm getting of my soapbox now and going to get another drink.

[Blackcat31]

Background: DCB was brought by dad in a rear facing carseat placed in the back of a work van. It was held in place by bungee cords. I called CSB about it and he took parenting classes... Just about every time he drops DCB off now he texts 10 minutes before he is to be here to let me know he is coming. Sometimes I have been here and sometimes not, I always let him know.

TODAY: My phone was dropped over the weekend and not working. I let ALL the DCF know and got their times of arrival for today. DCD apparently didn't get the memo from DCM because he not only does his usual but today I had an appointment and was out during the time he wanted to drop off (his scheduled time is to arrive at 2, sometimes he comes earlier if dad drops off). So what does he do? He enters MY HOUSE, which it was my fault for leaving the door unlocked but we live in the middle of nowhere and never really ever lock our doors. Then, this was the kicker, LEAVE HIS SON IN THE HIGHCHAIR AND GOES TO WORK. I got home to a 15 month old sitting in the highchair with a sippy and come cheerios (which dad got into MY CABINETS to get) and NO PARENT ANYWHERE! My neighbor got suspicious (thank God the child was never left completely alone thanks to awesome neighbors) and called me then called the cops. How irresponsible and STUPID is this guy???? I told the cops he works under the table too, probably not the smartest but the guy is going to jail anyways...

Best part: boy is in custody of CSB overnight to sort things out and mom called me cussing and throwing a fit over it. She ACTUALLY said "well he was restrained, not like he could hurt himself or anything" REALLY? REALLY? WOW.

Ahhh... Can't really talk about the case much more than that but holy cow, the nerve of these people. I feel so bad for that little boy right now.

Holy moly schmoly!!!!!!!!

Are you serious!!!!!! Wow!! I have NEVER EVER in all my years of child care heard of a parent being that stupid!

Wow! There are just NO words to say!!

I hope mom does something to prevent this guy from having unsupervised vists with his child considering he is not fit to make wise choices so he should definitely be supervised while visiting with his son!

WOW!!

[AfterSchoolMom]

Frizzled, WOW!!!!!! Just when you think you've heard it all.

He couldn't hurt himself? How about if he managed to tip the highchair over, or if he choked on those cheerios.... just wow.

The ignorance of these parents is amazing. Thank goodness that it's out of their hands now. So sorry that you had to go through this though!

[Frizzled]

Irresponsible Dad

Background: DCB was brought by dad in a rear facing carseat placed in the back of a work van. It was held in place by bungee cords. I called CSB about it and he took parenting classes... Just about every time he drops DCB off now he texts 10 minutes before he is to be here to let me know he is coming. Sometimes I have been here and sometimes not, I always let him know.

TODAY: My phone was dropped over the weekend and not working. I let ALL the DCF know and got their times of arrival for today. DCD apparently didn't get the memo from DCM because he not only does his usual but today I had an appointment and was out during the time he wanted to drop off (his scheduled time is to arrive at 2, sometimes he comes earlier if dad drops off). So what does he do? He enters MY HOUSE, which it was my fault for leaving the door unlocked but we live in the middle of nowhere and never really ever lock our doors. Then, this was the kicker, LEAVE HIS SON IN THE HIGHCHAIR AND GOES TO WORK. I got home to a 15 month old sitting in the highchair with a sippy and come cheerios (which dad got into MY CABINETS to get) and NO PARENT ANYWHERE! My neighbor got suspicious (thank God the child was never left completely alone thanks to awesome neighbors) and called me then called the cops. How irresponsible and STUPID is this guy???? I told the cops he works under the table too, probably not the smartest but the guy is going to jail anyways...

Best part: boy is in custody of CSB overnight to sort things out and mom called me cussing and throwing a fit over it. She ACTUALLY said "well he was restrained, not like he could hurt himself or anything" REALLY? REALLY? WOW.

Ahhh... Can't really talk about the case much more than that but holy cow, the nerve of these people. I feel so bad for that little boy right now.

[jokalima]

This is what I have, if I finish it today i will be giving it to parents tomorrow.

$5.00 for the 1st 5 minutes past my closing time starting on the first minute. If you pass those five minutes the fee will be 10.00 for every 15 minute increment. After your third late pick up you will pay $15.00 for every 15 minute period. This late fee also applies if I have posted a notice closing earlier than 5:30 p.m. Any previous exemptions will no longer take place.

If you have a better way of wording it please feel free to say, English is not my 1st language and some times I fear the way I put things together in writing are not professional enough.

Also, i was thinking of adding to this part that if they have something talk about
to come earlier or make an appointment because after 5:30 I cannot stay chatting with parents. How would you say that in a nice way?

[Blackcat31]

Well they are usually late, not always but it does happen frequently qith them, it coul be anywhere from 1-5 minutes, or like the other day it was almost 10 minutes an she was not working that day.

Is fair for me to charge even for the 1st minute? Before I was like "yeah it's OK it is just this time" but when is started to happen more and more I am getting upset because that extra minute is a minute taken away from my family and son.

Anyways, i am still working on my contract and I did it a little bit different, I put 5.00 for the 1st 5 minutes and then 10.00 for every 15.00 minutes. What you guys think? I wanted to put 5.00 1st because is more and maybe the get discourage from coming late.

Why wouldn't it be fair? Your time is just as valuable as any other person's time. Clocks have minute hands because each minute counts sooo... I put out the late sign out sheet the minute a parent is late. If they have trouble getting there on time, they need to re-adjust their contract.

If every family is only one minute late every day each year, do you know how much time you are giving away for free? That is $12-15 per year (depending on your rates) for EACH family and if you have 10 families that is a lot of free time....kwim?

[jokalima]

Well they are usually late, not always but it does happen frequently qith them, it coul be anywhere from 1-5 minutes, or like the other day it was almost 10 minutes an she was not working that day.

Is fair for me to charge even for the 1st minute? Before I was like "yeah it's OK it is just this time" but when is started to happen more and more I am getting upset because that extra minute is a minute taken away from my family and son.

Anyways, i am still working on my contract and I did it a little bit different, I put 5.00 for the 1st 5 minutes and then 10.00 for every 15.00 minutes. What you guys think? I wanted to put 5.00 1st because is more and maybe the get discourage from coming late.

[Blackcat31]

DCM gave me 20.00 today for almost 2 full hours of late fees, this not including other days when they picked up late and I never charge them for it , i know my fault. Well I told them that for last week it was going to be 20.00 , it should have been 40.00 but I wanted to be nice. So today she picked up 45 minutes late and gave me 20.00, said it was for all the time she picked her baby late. Really? I told her this week that she had to pay 20..0 for last week and she comes and says that? For today alone she owes me more than 30.00

I now understand when you guys say it does not pay to be nice

Well besides simply NOT allowing this to happen at all, you can stop this behavior by raising the late fees each time she is late.

The point of a late fee is to discourage the lateness not just be paid for your extra time. If she is simply paying you (not even the right amount) then she could not care less about you, your policies or the fees and is going to continue to do what works for her.

I raise the late fees by doubling them each time a parent is late. After 3 late pick ups I term.

I don't need families that don't respect me, my time or my business.

First late pick up is $1 per minute, second late pick up is $2 per minute and thirs is $3 per minute. Fourth late pick up and they are free to go immediately.

Late is also a few minutes, NOT hours.