Stressed And About To Snap!

[bunnyslippers]

I would definitely look for another client to replace her. When I first opened I put together an email describing my program. I then went on the local school websites and used the emails provided for all of the teachers to get my information out there. I actually got three families that way. Most teachers have kids or know people who do.

As far as her behavior, it sounds like she enjoys pushing your buttons a bit. Don't acknowledge her until her assigned drop-off time. As someone else suggested, don't even give her eye contact. Ignore the honking - maybe you will get lucky and a neighbor will call the police. Don't rush your own child out the door - keep to your own schedule. If she tries to hand the kids off to you when you get home, just briefly say "I will see you at - and walk into your house.

I would go crazy if someone was acting like this - I am so sorry! Hang in there and be rude if you have to be!!!

[Countrygal]

Pitter Patter, I can understand, as I am single and this is my source of income as well.

I have found ALREADY that this is solved by charging them for early drop-offs. Go ahead and take the child, but make it well worth your while. For example, early drop off will be $5.00 or something every 15 minutes (rounded UP). Make it a flat fee.

e.g. - 5 mins is 5.00, as is 15 mins. 16 mins is 10.00 up to 30 mns, etc etc. That's 20 bucks an hour. I know I'd take her kids to school with me for 20 bucks an hour! Set whatever price you think is fair.

I've worked it out with my before school kids by charging her a certain rate, whether she is here or not (she likes to be late or cancel out). I still have to get up and still have to plan breakfast, etc. She now gets charged a flat fee per week for her scheduled 2 - 4 days, 1 1/2 hour ea. Beyond that I get a little more - like if school is off for the day. Then she pays the same rate per hour as anyone else.

Hope this helps a little!

[Heidi]

I would definitely look for another client to replace her. When I first opened I put together an email describing my program. I then went on the local school websites and used the emails provided for all of the teachers to get my information out there. I actually got three families that way. Most teachers have kids or know people who do.

As far as her behavior, it sounds like she enjoys pushing your buttons a bit. Don't acknowledge her until her assigned drop-off time. As someone else suggested, don't even give her eye contact. Ignore the honking - maybe you will get lucky and a neighbor will call the police. Don't rush your own child out the door - keep to your own schedule. If she tries to hand the kids off to you when you get home, just briefly say "I will see you at - and walk into your house.

I would go crazy if someone was acting like this - I am so sorry! Hang in there and be rude if you have to be!!!

Maybe it's time to talk to a neighbor about calling her in for the noise disturbance!

[daycare]

do you have a YMCA in your area?

I decided to volunteer as part of my New Years resolution. It has brought me great rewards... I am on a campaign to raise money for them and in the process met a ton of wonderful mothers and fathers in my community. When they found out what I do, they all had to come look for themselves. In the process, I made a lot of new friends and families, gained 4 new clients and have made a name for myself in my community. Best thing that i have ever done...

perhaps you can look into this.

Also, I always volunteer as team mom, room mother, etc so that when i email things out that my website address gets attached to every email. I often will have parents write me back and say, I don't have any kids that age, but I love your website, do you mind if I refer you? I have not really had any business yet from it, but the word is getting out.

with the internet there are so many ways to advertise your business.

I have also put myself on every free site that will allow me to place an ad.

all of it for free.....


I do a lot of community stuff. We did the Michelle Obama letsmove.gov and everyone that let us participate, like the local community gym, we sent them a huge thank you card from the DCK and I put my business info on it. The last time I was at that gym, I saw it hanging up at the front desk....

word of mouth is always best, but you have to do the ground work to make it happen.

I too have been in your boat with parents that put me down and made me feel horrible, so do your work and it will come back to you......

Plus, I think that sometimes we have to go through the bad stuff to teach us a lesson about what we DONT want. We know what to look for now when we interview and we know what we do want...

I hope things turn around for you soon......keep your chin up and try to stay positive...

[AfterSchoolMom]

I used to have a neighbor who was picked up for work in the morning. The person doing the picking up would sit in the driveway and honk the horn every. single. morning. One day I stormed outside and told them that if they honk the horn again, I'd call the police - I don't know about your area, but here we have a noise ordinance and honking isn't allowed in the early AM. The next time they did it, I really did call the police. They came and had a talk with my neighbor. It never happened again.

Could you enlist the help of a neighbor, and actually have them call the police and complain?

I also totally agree with the idea of charging for early arrivals. Would she pay?

[wdmmom]

Sounds to me like you need to head out to take your child to school earlier than usual, this way you aren't home and don't go back home until 1 minute before your open time.

Do this for a week and she'll get a clue.

Or

If you really want to get her going, tell her in writing effective tomorrow if she shows up early, it's $1.00 per minute and because the state won't pay extra, she will be required to.

She needs to follow your policies and if she's not, you need to have a sit down with her that it's not working out.

I understand your financial situation but I'd much rather kick them out the door and face the consequences with a clear mind than continue working for this family and being miserable and disrespected every single day.

Make up some fliers and walk the neighborhood, pass some out at the school, gas station, grocery stores usually have corkboards you can leave info on, etc.

Good luck!

[PitterPatter]

Do you have any ads in your community? Not just online....

I'd make some cute handmade flyers w/photos and have them put up in the break rooms/bulletin boards of your local schools, library's, Mom & Pop's and grocery stores. The personalized touch tends to pull more attention and taking advantage of the current "Shop Small, Shop Local" political climate can't hurt.

Grandmas don't typically google for a daycare provider....they see them on the grocery store bulletin board and call to ask a few questions. Word of mouth from Grandma can help..... I have gotten quite a few clients that way over the years.

Thanks for the help Cat! I have a few differnt flyer types to hang. 1 I got here with the pocket on it. The other is my usual rip off tabs at the bottom. I just need more places to hang them. Most places around here have their bulletine boards encased and locked. Only non-profit flyers can go in there or school announcments etc.

Places that do have cork boards I did try to hang like the library. They took it down, even the local DHHS took it down 3 times and last time told me I wasn't permitted to post there because they would have to allow everyone else to do it as well and we have over 100 home providers in our small city.

Our launder mat is closed down. I do have a few hanging in the college, I only had 2 calls last semester both only wanted a couple hours ast a time a couple days a week. I didn't want to risk losing spots for that. The high school wont allow it, grade school same thing. I also have 2 big signs on my fence. I guess there's just not many parents in need. We have so many providers and a lot of centers as well. Plus the head start program. I know a lady who is over her limit actually but she only charges $10 per day per child. No way can I compete with that!

I did enroll a new client back in December and she and her child are just a dream! I love them but he is only part time SA so only part time pay there. I am keeping them though because she pays on time like clockwork and follows the policies 100% Rare around here!

Pitter Patter, I can understand, as I am single and this is my source of income as well.

I have found ALREADY that this is solved by charging them for early drop-offs. Go ahead and take the child, but make it well worth your while. For example, early drop off will be $5.00 or something every 15 minutes (rounded UP). Make it a flat fee.

e.g. - 5 mins is 5.00, as is 15 mins. 16 mins is 10.00 up to 30 mns, etc etc. That's 20 bucks an hour. I know I'd take her kids to school with me for 20 bucks an hour! Set whatever price you think is fair.

I've worked it out with my before school kids by charging her a certain rate, whether she is here or not (she likes to be late or cancel out). I still have to get up and still have to plan breakfast, etc. She now gets charged a flat fee per week for her scheduled 2 - 4 days, 1 1/2 hour ea. Beyond that I get a little more - like if school is off for the day. Then she pays the same rate per hour as anyone else.

Hope this helps a little!

I thank you for your help but sadly she can't even pay her little portion fees on time or in full so I know I would never see the early fee.

She would just say she doesnt mind sitting in her car and I can't charge her for sitting on the public street. I should have known better to take her in when I heard she had been termed from 2 centers. DUH

I am going to take a little advise from everyone especially the one where I stay away from the house until 1 minute before drop off time. Hell maybe I will even be a little late and make her sweat for a change!

(see see how terrible she is making me think? I am not spiteful. I know shame on me)

Thank you to each of you for your support and help!

[AfterSchoolMom]

"It's ok, I don't mind being early"

"It's not me, it's DCG honking the horn"


This is passive-agressive BS on her part. It will probably take you being rude to get it through her head that it isn't acceptable behavior. Just because you can't afford to term her doesn't mean that she gets to do whatever she wants. Sit her down and TELL her what is GOING to happen. She doesn't get to say "that's ok", because it isn't ok. She doesn't get to pass off the horn honking, because she's the parent and it's her job to make sure that the child doesn't do it. If you have to close the door in her face and lock it, do it if that's what it takes to get your point across.

I'm sorry, but I am so mad for you. I put up with a lot of parent crap over the last few years, so I get fuming mad whenever I hear a story like this.

[WImom]

I don't really have anything to add that hasn't been said yet but I'm steamed for you too. I can't believe the nerve of some people!

If you charged her a $1.00 per minute at your door and she needed to pay before the kids could stay (cash) would that work? Just close the door and tell her to come back with *** amount. Or would that be the same as you terming?

[PitterPatter]

I don't really have anything to add that hasn't been said yet but I'm steamed for you too. I can't believe the nerve of some people!

If you charged her a $1.00 per minute at your door and she needed to pay before the kids could stay (cash) would that work? Just close the door and tell her to come back with *** amount. Or would that be the same as you terming?

Yes because I think she wants me to term her or deny her access. That way she can blame me for her not being able to work just like she blames the govt for not giving her all her freebies in a timely manner.

Honest to God I have NEVER seen such an entitled person in all my life!!

I could tell you things she has said that would make you gasp so hard you would **** all of the oxygen out of the room!