Observing Before They Go With Me

[Crystal]

Crystal...your giving me some entertainment of sorts today...sorry that it's on your expense. But, I don't have ANY drama in my life so this is the closest besides TMZ or Perez that I'll go to get it...::::

Besides...you did mention that this is entertainment for you when you get called out on something no matter if it was taken out of context.....

I really am just teasing you

LOL! Thanks for that!

I know, this is the only place I get drama too! ::

[sharlan]

Fantastic news! I'm glad the family went with you.

OT - I have to agree with Crystal. There are a few people here that I would never allow to watch my child. They probably wouldn't let me watch their's either. I try to be more about the kids' and families' needs than the business aspect. Some of the providers here are too rigid for me, all about protecting their business at all costs. I'm more lax and easy going.

Crystal and I don't agree on every issue, but we don't attack each other, either.

Bottom line is, you have to do what works for you.

[Crystal]

Fantastic news! I'm glad the family went with you.

OT - I have to agree with Crystal. There are a few people here that I would never allow to watch my child. They probably wouldn't let me watch their's either. I try to be more about the kids' and families' needs than the business aspect. Some of the providers here are too rigid for me, all about protecting their business at all costs. I'm more lax and easy going.

Crystal and I don't agree on every issue, but we don't attack each other, either.

Bottom line is, you have to do what works for you.

Thanks Sharlan

[Christian Mother]

LOL! Thanks for that!

I know, this is the only place I get drama too! ::

I think I'm allergic...seriously::::

[Meeko]

Fantastic news! I'm glad the family went with you.

OT - I have to agree with Crystal. There are a few people here that I would never allow to watch my child. They probably wouldn't let me watch their's either. I try to be more about the kids' and families' needs than the business aspect. Some of the providers here are too rigid for me, all about protecting their business at all costs. I'm more lax and easy going.

Crystal and I don't agree on every issue, but we don't attack each other, either.

Bottom line is, you have to do what works for you.

I wish I could be more about the families needs and I do try to be as much as possible. But I think there is a big difference in some of the providers circumstances here and they have to run their business according to their situation.

Some have husbands with good jobs. Health benefits, paid vacations, retirement packages etc. They do day care to pass the time and bring in a little extra to help pay for luxuries. They want companionship for their own toddlers etc. They can afford to be more generous with their time and money and the needs of the dcf's.

Then there are those who are single parents or the ones who rely on their day care income as the only source of money they have or a supplement they can't live without. Those providers have to look out for their OWN family first. I learned the hard way that being "nice" to my families all the time, often put MY family in harm's way. I feel sorry for some of my dcf's situations and I help IF I can. But there are times I have no choice but to be tough. This is how I support our family. It is our only source of income. I protect that income like my life depends on it...because it does.

[Crystal]

I wish I could be more about the families needs and I do try to be as much as possible. But I think there is a big difference in some of the providers circumstances here and they have to run their business according to their situation.

Some have husbands with good jobs. Health benefits, paid vacations, retirement packages etc. They do day care to pass the time and bring in a little extra to help pay for luxuries. They want companionship for their own toddlers etc. They can afford to be more generous with their time and money and the needs of the dcf's.

Then there are those who are single parents or the ones who rely on their day care income as the only source of money they have or a supplement they can't live without. Those providers have to look out for their OWN family first. I learned the hard way that being "nice" to my families all the time, often put MY family in harm's way. I feel sorry for some of my dcf's situations and I help IF I can. But there are times I have no choice but to be tough. This is how I support our family. It is our only source of income. I protect that income like my life depends on it...because it does.

Meeko....this is our families only source of income as well. My husband works with me full-time.

Maybe I am missing your point, as I don't see how that has anything to do with observations? My income goes UP when I allow observations, because I have never had a family not sign with me after observing. :confused:

Please clarify, I'd like to make sure I understand what you are saying.

[Mandy_Jane]

Meeko....this is our families only source of income as well. My husband works with me full-time.

Maybe I am missing your point, as I don't see how that has anything to do with observations? My income goes UP when I allow observations, because I have never had a family not sign with me after observing. :confused:

Please clarify, I'd like to make sure I understand what you are saying.

Sharlan said: “I try to be more about the kids' and families' needs than the business aspect. Some of the providers here are too rigid for me, all about protecting their business at all costs. I'm more lax and easy going.”

Meeko then replied: “I wish I could be more about the families needs and I do try to be as much as possible. But I think there is a big difference in some of the providers circumstances here and they have to run their business according to their situation.”

I’m not sure what you’re missing here? I don’t believe her comments had anything do with observations. She was just responding to what Sharlan said.

[Crystal]

Sharlan said: “I try to be more about the kids' and families' needs than the business aspect. Some of the providers here are too rigid for me, all about protecting their business at all costs. I'm more lax and easy going.”

Meeko then replied: “I wish I could be more about the families needs and I do try to be as much as possible. But I think there is a big difference in some of the providers circumstances here and they have to run their business according to their situation.”

I’m not sure what you’re missing here? I don’t believe her comments had anything do with observations. She was just responding to what Sharlan said.

I didn't ask you.

[Mandy_Jane]

I didn't ask you.

Well EXCUSE me. I was just trying to help you understand why Meeko said that. Although, I'm not sure why you couldn't figure it out on your own by simply reading what Sharlan had said. I think you are just looking for an argument. Everywhere you go you stir up trouble. Guess you forgot to take your happy pill today.

[Meeko]

I didn't ask you.

No...but she answered the same as I would. Thanks Mandy Jane

[Mandy_Jane]

No...but she answered the same as I would. Thanks Mandy Jane

You're welcome Meeko! Crystal just wants an argument. It was very obvious why you said what you did. And I agree with everything you said too. I am also one who has to think about my family's income before accommodating any special requests from parents. My family's well-being is #1 on my priority list, which makes me have to be very strict when it comes to operating my daycare.

[Crystal]

actually, I don't want an argument, I wanted clarification, As I said Please clarify, I'd like to make sure I understand what you are saying

Thanks meeko. I thought you were referring to a parent observing as the issue.

kids are up now and I am going to feed the baby, but I'd love to discuss your post with you more, as I too depend on this as my only source of income. I actually think it would be a great separate thread discussion.

I'll be back....to DISCUSS not ARGUE

[hoopinglady]

Very late to this but whatever...

I offer every single time for the parents to do an observation AND an interview after hours. They never take me up on the offer....maybe once.

I think it's less about seeing the activities of the day and more about using your intuition as a mama(parent) to see how the care provider is with the babies.

I welcome observations. I want parents to see what I do all day!! If the kids are a bit out of sorts because of a visitor, that's to be expected, so what? A little extra work for me for a little while.

[BigMama]

I am a little scared to post as I feel WWIII may break out on this thread! However, I have to say that with the exception of some of the families that come to me via word of mouth, all of my families have brought their child/children over to visit at least once during program hours. This has the dual purpose of allowing the parents see the program in motion and allowing the child to get comfortable with the other children, the environment, and me while still feeling safe. I only schedule these visits during activity times so that our daily routine isn't interrupted. I find that this really cuts down on the separation anxiety the children may feel when they start.

[Mandy_Jane]

I am a little scared to post as I feel WWIII may break out on this thread!

I just wanted to say that reading that gave me a good laugh! :: Today has been one HECK of a crazy day for sure!