Got Into It With DCM At Drop Off

[wdmmom]

Nah, you're not alone. I think getting yourself worked up over two minutes is a waste of time and energy. It's not worth the added stress that causes, for me anyways.

After just sending out an email last week because of early drop offs, I'm staying strict. Over the course of the past few years, I've found out that 2 minutes will turn into 15 by the end of the week if you don't say anything.

Parent's need to be considerate and respectful. Regardless of 2 minutes, I could have been in the bathroom, I could have been tossing in laundry, I could have had my hands in dishwater, etc. All of which would have taken a few minutes to get yourself together to get to the door.

[DaycareMomma]

I agree with you that you don't open your door til 7:30. The time before that is used to get yourself and your family and the daycare ready for the day. Give a parent an inch, most will take a mile.

I have a mom that is contracted to start at 8:30, she'll call at 8:29 and say that she won't be here til 9:15 (that way she won't get the $5 late fee for not calling to say she'd be late by her start time). Well 9:15 will roll around and she's still not here.... Then all of a sudden she'll show up at 9:45 and be as happy as a clam!!!! I've been relaxed on her late fees up until now. I'm done getting pushed around... So I'm starting to write down everything and it will be on her bill this week... She will learn hopefully.

[MyAngels]

First off let me say that I understand how you feel


but two minutes before open and you wrote in your notes in could be 7:15

So many of you are quick to terminate. I know it's hard for most of us to get kids, esp if we have not been in business for years and established. Economy is hard right now.

I understand being taken advantage of but I also feel you have to have understanding and be a little flexible with clients.

Am I alone here? Or is everyone this strict with their family's? I am not promoting being taken advantage of and understand it can be 2 minutes then escalate.

No, you're not alone. I'm not generally as strict with my families, but I have great families who do not seem to want to take advantage of every little thing, either.

If I had a bunch of "give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile" types I might be a lot more strict.

[awestbrook713]

I have learned give an inch they try to take a mile. Stick to your contract its your business you are in control and the second you bend here or there they will try to over throw you.

[Ariana]

I have learned give an inch they try to take a mile. Stick to your contract its your business you are in control and the second you bend here or there they will try to over throw you.

Definately this. I have learned this as well. This wasn't the first time it happened so this is why she's being so strict about it now. Also couldn;t the parent have offered an apology instead of demands?? It just shows a lack of respect.

I used to work in a retail store and our opening hours were at 10am. The owner would not open a minute earlier so to each their own.

[PitterPatter]

I agree with once you allow a couple minutes early it gets earlier each time. I do allow a few minutes early if they happen to get there early. Traffic is always different. If it comes to 10 or 15 minutes early and more often then I say something but a few minutes is not a problem now and then. I do have a problem with how she spoke to you! I would be handing her a copy of the time she agreed to. I am so done with being walked on and will not tolerate attitude anymore. I am flexible but only when I am respected! I hope she apologizes but in my experience that's not likely to happen.

[Unregistered]

No, you're not alone. I'm not generally as strict with my families, but I have great families who do not seem to want to take advantage of every little thing, either.

If I had a bunch of "give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile" types I might be a lot more strict.

This is me too~

[DCMom]

No, you're not alone. I'm not generally as strict with my families, but I have great families who do not seem to want to take advantage of every little thing, either.

If I had a bunch of "give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile" types I might be a lot more strict.

This is how I feel. My families are pretty good about letting me know if they need to drop off a little early or pick up a little late. That being said, they often pick up early too, so I think it all evens out in the end.

I also don't have contracted times for arrival/departure. I'm open when I'm open and and closed when I'm closed. Everyone generally comes and goes at approximately the same times everyday, so I don't really worry about a few minutes here or there.

[AfterSchoolMom]

First off let me say that I understand how you feel


but two minutes before open and you wrote in your notes in could be 7:15

So many of you are quick to terminate. I know it's hard for most of us to get kids, esp if we have not been in business for years and established. Economy is hard right now.

I understand being taken advantage of but I also feel you have to have understanding and be a little flexible with clients.

Am I alone here? Or is everyone this strict with their family's? I am not promoting being taken advantage of and understand it can be 2 minutes then escalate.

I have no problem with being flexible with clients that treat me with respect. I'd definitely have a problem with someone coming into my home and speaking to me with such attitude and condescension, then expecting special treatment. That wouldn't exactly give me any warm fuzzies toward them.

[Crystal]

I have no problem with being flexible with clients that treat me with respect. I'd definitely have a problem with someone coming into my home and speaking to me with such attitude and condescension, then expecting special treatment. That wouldn't exactly give me any warm fuzzies toward them.

I think that is how the Mom was feeling. OP said that she was the one with the attitude first because she was upset. Now, I agree Mom had no right demanding that she'll drop off at 7:15 if she wants.....but I imagine after being made to stand outside with her child over a measely 2 minutes that she wasn't happy herself.

Maybe OP and parents should synchronize their clocks.....by Mom's clock it may have been 7:30 ::

[wdmmom]

I think that is how the Mom was feeling. OP said that she was the one with the attitude first because she was upset. Now, I agree Mom had no right demanding that she'll drop off at 7:15 if she wants.....but I imagine after being made to stand outside with her child over a measely 2 minutes that she wasn't happy herself.

Maybe OP and parents should synchronize their clocks.....by Mom's clock it may have been 7:30 ::

Daycare parents were notified back in June of my new hours. No one mentioned anything. Last week everyone got an email because of early arrivals (not this particular DCM.) In this email I suggested they check the clock on their cell phones. If it's 730am, it's business time, if not, wait.

Like I mentioned, it would be no different than if I was using the restroom. Be patient and wait. In this case, you come early, you wait. No difference.