Texting On A Sunday?

[Mary Poppins]

I just read in another thread about this happening (didn't want to hijack the thread) and since it happened to me too last night, I wondered what you all think of dcp's texting on weekends, particularly on a Sunday?

In my case it was dcm whose dd I termed for biting. She often texted me on a Sunday to give me her schedule for the week, which annoyed me to no end. Several times I had to remind her the schedule was due by closing on Friday. Of course she texted me at 5 last night to TELL me she was coming by in 5 minutes to pick up the rest of dcg's stuff (she left in a huff Friday and left behind a few things).

Oh, really now?

I was floored. I don't like bullies and told her no, she was NOT coming by and could call me on Monday and make arrangements during my business hours. She texted back with "&$%^ it, just keep her stuff then". ::

Anyway, how do you feel about being texted on weekends particularly Sundays regardless of what the context is, etc?

[small_steps]

Well that would have been from my thread . And yes...it bothers me as well. It doesn't happen too often but it does happen occasionally. To give them credit...the texting back and forth usually only lasts maybe 5 minutes BUT generally whatever the text was about is on my mind for the next hour or so taking up more of my precious weekend time.

[AnneCordelia]

I tell my DCFs that texting is reserved for when their children are in care or to notify of illness (for example, at 6am on Monday to tell me their child is sick and not coming). If they need to contact me on the weekend then they can e-mail me so that I can get back to them on my own time and not feel pressure or "on the clock".

They are also free to phone and leave a message. One message suffices and I will get back to them when it is convenient for me.

The thing I don't like about texting is that there is an assumption of immediacy and the person texting expects as response ASAP. That is why I prefer e-mail or phone on weekends because it allows me time to get back to them on my own clock.

[MrsB]

I dont have a problem with it to be honest. I would much rather them communicate with me by text/email/phone on a weekend rather than not at all.:confused: Besides I have found that on Fridays sometimes even I forget to remind or inform because I am so excited for the weekend to be here. I am sure they probably feel the same way. However, I always tell that if it is out of daycare hours, I have no obligation or time frame of which to get back to them.

In your case, I can totally see why you would be frustrated! I would have told the mom the same thing. Uhh hello, I need longer than 5 minutes. Especially for a termed parent. I always make sure there is another adult here if a termed family comes back to pick up stuff.

I would also be mad about the schedule not getting to you on Friday. Next time she gets it to you on Sunday night. Text her back and say that since you didnt receive it on Friday as you require per contract, you made plans and can't accomodate her request for care on Monday. I promise that will usually stop them from turning in their schedules late.

[Mary Poppins]

I tell my DCFs that texting is reserved for when their children are in care or to notify of illness (for example, at 6am on Monday to tell me their child is sick and not coming). If they need to contact me on the weekend then they can e-mail me so that I can get back to them on my own time and not feel pressure or "on the clock".

That's a good idea, I think I will add it to my policies. Thanks!

[Blackcat31]

I don't really text with parents, as I personally find it to be non-professional. However, I let all my parents know that I have business hours. If they have an emergency or somehting that absolutely cannot wait until business hours then I would be ok with it but otherwise the only time I take calls from parents is during business hours.

If they are calling before or after hours to tell me about an absence, they know to call and leave a message as I won't be answering the phone.

As for texting, I know many people do it and many actually prefer it so I just want to say that my statement about it being unprofessional is just MY PERSONAL opinion and just how I feel so please don't take offense to my feeling if you do text.

If I did text, I would treat it just like a phone call. ONLY during business hours. If a DCP tried to text me their schedule, I would just not respond as I don't do any type of communication unless it is business hours.

Strictly sticking to business hours ONLY is the best way to successfully separate my private life with my work life.

[Sunchimes]

It doesn't bother me, but it's part of my business plan. My parents either don't know they are working until the night before (sometimes they don't know until that morning) and sometimes, parental visitation pops up unexpectedly. I want them to text me as soon as they have information regarding the schedule. I think I got either 4 or 5 texts yesterday.

I've been in business for myself for 30 years (not in day care) and working on weekends when necessary has always been part of our life. DC has far, far less of it than my previous business. I figure I'm at home doing what I want to do, a text is nothing.

But, I run a very loose program and my kids are all over 40 and live far, far away. I know it might be different if I had kids at home.

[daycare]

I was about to post this same exact thread. My DCP are texting not only on the weekends, but before 6am and after 9pm. I have also had a few phone calls come in after 10pm. Because this is the only phone I have (no home land line) I always have the alerts on. So anytime someone text me It goes off...

I recently told the parents that even thought this is a place of business, they needed to understand that it is also my home. NO calls before 6am or after 9pm.....I forgot to mention weekends....

years ago I had a parent text me (that had left the DC) wanting referral information while I was on my family vacation. I just text back sorry, I am on my family vacation. They told me that I needed to give it to them now because I can no longer meet their needs therefore its my problem. Of course I didn't answer any further text, they were not even a client anymore at that point..

[Mary Poppins]

Text her back and say that since you didnt receive it on Friday as you require per contract, you made plans and can't accomodate her request for care on Monday. I promise that will usually stop them from turning in their schedules late.

That is exactly what dh told me to do. ::

She was the only one I had issues with getting me her schedule on time *knock on wood*. Sooo annoying!!

She actually might be the reason why I became annoyed with getting texts on the weekends to begin with, now that I think of it. She's the only one to do it to me so far! ::

[Blackcat31]

I was about to post this same exact thread. My DCP are texting not only on the weekends, but before 6am and after 9pm. I have also had a few phone calls come in after 10pm.

I recently told the parents that even thought this is a place of business, they needed to understand that it is also my home. NO calls before 6am or after 9pm.....I forgot to mention weekends....

Have you considered getting a separate daycare cell phone and then sioml;y turing it off in the evenings and on weekends.

Let the parents know you will be doing that so they will also understand that you will not be receiving any texts or calls other than during business hours.

VERY few daycare parents actually even know my cell phone number so that is one way I cut down on unnecessary contact. I just don't give parents my cell number and the ones I do, I did with strict instuctions and only after I felt comfortable with them as clients so I knew they would not abuse the priviledge.

[Mary Poppins]

I was about to post this same exact thread. My DCP are texting not only on the weekends, but before 6am and after 9pm. I have also had a few phone calls come in after 10pm.

I recently told the parents that even thought this is a place of business, they needed to understand that it is also my home. NO calls before 6am or after 9pm.....I forgot to mention weekends....

I would be very not happy with that. Good for you for putting your foot down to that!

Someone needs to do an in-depth research project into the (sometimes warped) minds of dcf's. It would be very, very interesting! ::

[sharlan]

I don't have an issue with it.

My families don't have my home phone #, only cell. I don't walk around with my cell and might not check it all day.

[wdmmom]

I don't want to hear from my families from the close of business Friday to the open of business on Monday unless they are telling me that their child will be absent.

Any parent that said they'd be coming by would be told, "My hours of operation are 730am to 530pm Monday through Thursday and 730am to 3pm Friday. Please call or email me during those times to set up a time when you can get DCG's things."

You did the right thing!

[SunshineMama]

I have not had any excessive texting, or anything that bothers me outside of business hours. Occasionally I wil have a parent texting for advice, and I don't mind a few exchanges during my off hours (since it iterally is months between off-hours texts).

IF I had a parent text me all the time I would be really irritated!

[Beach Baby]

We don't have a landline any more. Dh and I each have our cell phones and that's it. I don't have an issue with my parents texting me, like another poster said, as long as we are communicating, that's all that matters to me. I have good parents so far though. If I had someone texting/calling late at night or early in the morning, I would be pretty upset. I don't have an issue with texts on weekends. For me, it's not really a big deal because it only takes a minute to respond to a text. However, I'm a pretty laid back person, overall, and see my parents outside of business hours as well, since our children play on the same baseball team.

That being said, if one of my parents treated me the way yours did, I would have done the same thing. There is no way I would put up with disrespect like that! Good for you for putting your foot down with her!