Do You Ever Let DCP's Borrow Your Things?

[SunshineMama]

Last night, dcm was stuck at work, so she had a friend come to pick up dbc. She asked if she could borrow one of my car seats because her friend did not have one. Of course, I said yes, I would not knowingly let a child leave without a car seat. The friend said I would have it today.

DCM shows up 45 minutes late today, (no call/text) without the car seat, and tells me that she will bring it tomorrow. I was planning on taking the kids to this awesome recreation outlet place for free play since it's so rainy and stormy here this morning. Well, that's a bust, since now I don't have enough car seats.

Would you have let a DCP borrow your extra car seat? THIS is what I get for trying to be courteous and nice... stuck in the house on a rainy day

[Meyou]

I would let her borrow it but I would have also made her go back and get it this morning.

[SunshineMama]

And to add to it, dcb is the ONLY child coming today, other than my 2 own children. smh...

I wish I had that clause in my contract that if you are more than 15 late I can't guarantee I will be here. I just updated the contract last month so I dont feel like I can do it again.

On the positive side, DH will find out the offer that the company he has been interviewing with will make to him. Praying that it's enough for me to be able to afford a backbone!

[SunshineMama]

I would let her borrow it but I would have also made her go back and get it this morning.

Its in her friends car, so she would have to track her friend down, drive over to get it, and then come back.

I think that a backbone develops the more you get stepped on by other people. I have not hit that point yet but I know if I stay in this business long enough it will only get bigger. What happened to common courtesy these days?

[Sunchimes]

I have sent home sippy cups when they had somewhere to go and needed one. I would never send home a car seat. It takes me half a day to get those stupid things hooked back up again. :confused: And of course, shoes and clothes go home regularly.

[Daycare Diva]

Now her problem has become your problem. In the future I would either say no or have the parent agree to bring it back on time no exceptions.

[cheerfuldom]

would not have lent a car seat, period. I would have watched the child till mom came and then charged her extra.

[laundrymom]

No. Period. Also, if I have to work late because you are late, I get paid extra

[nannyde]

No way would I loan a car seat. Too much liability.

[Zoe]

I would have loaned it but would have STRESSED that it NEEDS to be brought back the next day because we are going somewhere fun and if it isn't brought back, she will have to go find one or replace it before I take care of dcb.

[countrymom]

yes, but I have other carseats too. I've never had a problem except with one family, but I should have known better, lets just say I had to clean the carseat.

[JenNJ]

No way would I loan a car seat. Too much of a risk for me! But you did, so call mom and say it needs to come back by pickup tonight.

[SunshineMama]

For those of you talking about risk and liability-

Am I liable for lending a car seat if something happens (accident, etc), if I did not carry it out of my house or install it in their car?

I am pretty sure I would be liable if I let the child out of the house knowing that they did not have a proper restraint system.

DCM ended up not leaving work until 9pm last night, and I know that they wouldn't be able to afford paying me per hour for the 4 hours extra he would have been here. But you are right, her problem is now my problem

It is so frustrating to be put in an uncomfortable position, try to do the nice, decent thing, and then be the one who is the loser in the end of it all. I am learning in this business that common courtesys and common decency is only common if you are the one doing it- it is almost never reciprocated.

[JenNJ]

Yes, you could be held liable. I would have made friend purchase a seat or borrow elsewhere.

[SunshineMama]

Next time she asks I will just have to say no then. It isn't worth the liability. Or the stress, for that matter.