Kids At DC While The Parents Are Home From Work...

[PolkaTots]

So, how do you feel about children who attend DC while their parents are at home from work/school etc.?

I am opened M-F this week and next, since one parent does work M-F, but has a half day Friday. The other 3 are off of school this week (teachers children), but are coming every day for full days this week and next! I can understand a day, or maybe two, but the whole week? What happened to people wanting to spend time with their own children

[godiva83]

It does frustrate me, but as others have said before they pay the bill.
I just know I would sacrifice or do anything to spend time with my child- hence why I am a dayhome provider. I have one family that drops their son off daily and Dad is usually at home- they also took 2 weeks off on vacation and he was here the entire time one day I think they will look back and regret as these years go by so fast.

[cheerfuldom]

It is very frustrating but you just have to deal with this. Most providers have the same issue. It's a shame that parents don't want to spend at least a little more time with their own kids but they did pay for the days, so they can use them. some parents are just trying to get the most for their money while other parents would just rather do their own thing. They might assume the kids would rather be at daycare with friends anyway. There are also the parents that just plan out don't want to spend time with kids period.

[daycare]

this post on this subject always ends a heated debate...

All I have to say is that I offer a service and if parents use it or not is up to them. I may not agree with their decision, but if they are paying me to provide a service, then it's up to them on how they will use it or not..

[Michelle]

this post on this subject always ends a heated debate...

All I have to say is that I offer a service and if parents use it or not is up to them. I may not agree with their decision, but if they are paying me to provide a service, then it's up to them on how they will use it or not..

except when it affects us!
When parents tell older kids that they have the day off and they are going shopping, out to eat, etc. then the kids will give me a very hard time that day.I actually had a kid that started fights with the other kids and made a mess with my art supplies and was trying very hard to get kicked out so he can go have fun with mom.

[MarinaVanessa]

I think that in SOME (not all) situations I feel sad for the kids. If the parents already don't spend a lot of time with their kids then that's when I feel sad.

I do however have great families that are here straight from work even on days that they get out early and will keep their kids home with them if they are sick. WHen these families get an occasional day off and want to do something together as a couple then I don't mind.

I have a family who's kids are here at DC FT 5 days a week that go on a date night once sometimes twice a month on a weekend and they'll bring their kids to me when grandma can't watch them. I don't mind doing it for them because every weekend they go out and do family things, even on days that they go out on date night. The DC kids come to DC talking about how much fun they had and where they went and it makes it hard for me to feel upset for them becase the kids are happy.

I have however had familes where the kids go to gradmas on the weekends and to DC during the week and for them, I'd always be "busy" on the weekends if grandma couldn't watch the kids. I guess it always depends on the situation. Sometimes it bothers me when parents are home on days off while the kids are here at DC but like many have said before, they're paying for it. If it bothered me THAT much I would offer to reimburse them back for the days that their kids were not here, but it doesn't bother me that much to do that. I like my income just the way it is so whether they're home or at work, I'll be here with their child.

[meganlavonnesmommy]

Most of the time I dont mind. They have paid for the service, so they are welcome to use it.
But when I hear them complain about how much they miss their kids, and how they wish they didnt have to work so they could have more time with them. And when I see these same parents home from work, while their kids sit here, then I get upset.
This same family, the dad has a week off between christmas and new years, and is bringing both his kids here all week.

Like others have said, I just feel bad for the kids. They grow up so fast, and the parents are missing so much.

[Unregistered]

Just had all the parents (and my husband) off work this tuesday and ALL the kids came to daycare. I charge regardless and I think parents can use their time as they wish. It would be good for them to spend time with their kids but I can't judge them. At drop off that day I might have felt bitter but I know how hard it is to clean and get groceries with kids so if I had a day off and had to pay for daycare I would send my kids too, maybe only half day though ; )

And yesterday at pick up one mom (who was off all day) said her husband was off work taking a nap all afternoon. I saw him drive home at 1 pm ( they live 3 houses away) and it didn't bother me in the least. I would however been really mad had he pulled in to pick up his kids in the middle of nap time. They pay me like regular, pick up at 3 when they get off early or are off a day and gave me $125 cash x-mas bonus plus bought my son an amazing playdough set. ; )

[Ariana]

It doesn't really bother me because everyone is different. If it were me I'd definately be spending my time WITH my child. This is why I became a DCP so already my mindset is different in terms of parenting.

Some parents feel that the kids are happier at daycare and miss their friends etc. I don't know if this is what they tell themselves to make themselves feel less guilty or what but I know that kids want to be with their families. I also understand how hard it can be around the holidays to get shopping done with kids in tow. If you're working full-time then leaving some days to shop without kids is a great idea...a whole week is a bit much however IMO. I have to go to the mall this afternoon and I don't want to take my daughter because she gets bored and I have to concentrate. I wish I had a DCP to drop her off to for the afternoon :P

[Sugar Magnolia]

So, how do you feel about children who attend DC while their parents are at home from work/school etc.?

I am opened M-F this week and next, since one parent does work M-F, but has a half day Friday. The other 3 are off of school this week (teachers children), but are coming every day for full days this week and next! I can understand a day, or maybe two, but the whole week? What happened to people wanting to spend time with their own children

I see why you feel that way. Yeah, its frustrating to know parents are not working or otherwise busy, and I don't know how your rate structure works, but I get paid X amount per week and parents can come and go as they please between 730 and 530 M-6. Yeah, we enjoy getting paid anyways when the kids are absent (we will even give a quiet "yay free money" high-five when someone is absent) for but I don't begrudge the parents at all. They pay us to be available. They pay us to care about their kids while they are here, they don't pay me to worry about what they (the parents) are doing. I see threads like this all the time and they usually degenerate into e-catfights, so let's all remember to be cordial and remember we are all just expressing opinions, no one is right or wrong.

[frgsonmysox]

I'm still in the process of making my parent handbook and at the moment I plan to stay open on all holidays except Christmas. I don't mind it, I know some parents have to work those holidays, and I don't mind including others into our celebration (we normally have a lot people over on holidays anyway, so a few extra kids isn't a big deal). I worded that paragraph in my handbook this way

"I reserve the right to close on any Federal Holiday. At this time I plan to only be closed on Christmas Day. This means, at the moment, I will be open on all other Federal Holidays, including Thanksgiving. It is important, if you have the day off from work, to spend it with your child and your family so I can spend it with mine. I understand the temptation to utilize daycare to get errands done, or to get a break. Please do this sparingly. If I feel that being open on Holidays is becoming abused I will close on all Federal Holidays."

Is that maybe being too rude?

[daycare]

except when it affects us!
When parents tell older kids that they have the day off and they are going shopping, out to eat, etc. then the kids will give me a very hard time that day.I actually had a kid that started fights with the other kids and made a mess with my art supplies and was trying very hard to get kicked out so he can go have fun with mom.

I understand what you are saying, but if this happened at my house and the kid was doing it on purpose, then I would be calling mom to let her know.

This type of behavior in my house would get you know where..../Plus if it was only happening when it was the holidays, I can handle a once a year thing..

[mismatchedsocks]

It happens all the time. I am glad I stay home with my kids, and have that chance. I really couldnt imagine putting them in daycare and then on days off taking them JUST because I had to pay for it.

I do have one little boy who comes every day I am open. They dont use their vacation days, and their reason is he needs his schedule. They say they struggle with "what to do with him" on the weekends. This makes me sad to hear, but glad that I can be here for him.

[melissa ann]

I've had times when mom would have off and would keep her oldest (4 yr old) with her but would bring the 2 yr old to me. It would upset the 2 yr old when mom would drop him off but not his sister. I felt very sad for this little guy.

[laundrymom]

I have 8 families. I have one MOm who grabs baby ASAP I have one fam who drops at 630 picks up at 530. EVERY DAY. kids cry for parents. Parents post to fb. Missing my kiddos. Then a pic of them having coffee alone. Saying wish the kids were here. They would love this pastry!!

Then get them. If you miss them that bad.