Need advice..Ready to pull my hair out !

[Provider_Manda]

I am needing advice for you providers. I have been doing this since August, and I have 2 dck's (siblings) that I have had since the get go. Well my schedule at first was off on Tuesdays and worked on Saturdays. Well NO ONE ever used Saturdays. So when I got more dck that needed Tuesdays, I swapped days. Well now the dcm I have that never used Saturdays wants one every once in awhile to work. I done it as a favor a few weeks back and said I didn't want to work past 3:30, well she showed up and swiped the kids out at 4:05... And no phone call either !!

SO now she has asked me twice if I would work on the 21st and the 28th, well the 21st is out of the question..but as of now I have nothing planned on the 28th. But I do not want to work !! I have 6-7 little ones all day 5 days a week..plus my own 2 year old. My paperwork, laundry and everything else is so backed up I can't stand it...So how do I get it acrossed to the dcm that I do not want to work on Saturdays?

I really feel that my dcp's take advantage of me..I think Im too friendly..

I just need some advice to be a better, and more respected provider and not looked at just a "baby sitter" Thanks !

[Soccermom]

This is a tough call because the orignal agreement was that you worked on saturdays. Did you advise dcm when you decided to close on saturdays and open on tuesdays? This is a case of being honest with your dcp and telling her that you made a mistake in choosing to be open saturdays and that you will now be closed. She will likely be somewhat annoyed but I'm sure she won't be surprised....plus I highly doubt she is working on saturdays anyway. She likely uses the day to get some cleaning or shopping done.

[Provider_Manda]

Oh yea I told her that I was going to switch days due to no one using them and needing to open on Tuesday's. Which she was fine with it b/c she never used Saturday's but 1 time. But now since I have changed my hour's not only with myself but with County and CHA..she wants them. And honestly I am just done with kids by Friday night..

[Heidi]

"I'm sorry, but as I told you last month, I am no longer providing care on Saturdays".

[Provider_Manda]

"I'm sorry, but as I told you last month, I am no longer providing care on Saturdays".

I just wish it would sound like that when I would say it.. Its like they don't hear the word NO coming out of my mouth. Im too soft !

[frugalmama4]

Same boat here...I have one family who would need Saturday care like once every other month or so; which I mistakenly offered when I first start in order to get people in the door. This was basically a free day as I did not charge extra.

But after much thought and reading through all the threads on here, I'm sending out new policies next month..which states.

Weekend Care:
*Care on Saturdays and Sundays will no longer be included with your regular weekly tuition rate. Care is still available upon request and as provider schedule permits. Separate fees apply for both days.

[Soccermom]

I used to be the same way. I was like a worn out rug, everyone just kept walking all over me It has been 8 years in the making but I am a lot less nice now ! I've been used and abused one too many times. I actually completely snapped because of dcp two years ago and stopped daycare altogether. I would always be so annoyed with myself after attempting to stand up for myself because most times it would end in failure. I always knew what I wanted to say in my head but overly nice sweet things came out of my mouth. It was so frustrating! When I finally made the decision to take in kids again I decided I would do it but that I would do it for me on my terms and not theirs. I do what makes me happy now and if it doesn't work for them, that's OK because there are many other places they can go and I will fill their spot eventually.
You can always play the husband card too. The old - I'm sorry but my husband doesn't like having kids here on the weekends so you'll have to find someone else for Saturdays

[Blackcat31]

I just wish it would sound like that when I would say it.. Its like they don't hear the word NO coming out of my mouth. Im too soft !

Write it out VERY clearly and hand it to them while you say the nicer version outloud. It IS hard but you can do it and it will all be worth it if you want your weekends off.

Tell the parents that weekends are no longer an option and that since you changed your hours with licensing, you aren't allowed to porvide care outside your stated business hours.

I know that isn't 100% truthful but sometimes when you place the blame on someone/thing else, it eliminates the option of negotiation.


It's ok to be nice and it is ok to feel bad, but you aren't required to do something to fix it....kwim? Just say, "I am really sorry but...." and stick to your guns! You CAN do it!! happyface

Maybe the first Saturday that you KNOW they want care, you need to be away from home so they can't just show up.