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Funny. I have been thinking about McDonalds (and Wal-Mart) too, but in a different way. We are running businesses and have to remember that we are a business (albeit small and usually sole proprietorships). I have been thinking, if it wouldn't fly at Wal-Mart, it won't fly here. For example, I forgot my checkbook at home, I'll just take this package of diapers and come back tomorrow to pay you. Nope. You pay or you don't get the product or service. Period. This IS business. I guess it goes the other way too. McDonald's and Wal-Mart do not need to explain their business decisions to us, so we do not HAVE to explain our policy changes or decisions to our clients. Now, if only they would show the same respect for us that they show to Wal-Mart and McDonald's.
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Nothing wrong with what you did.
From past experience, I would keep it short and sweet. Parents always get defensive no matter what. I have learned that when giving a negative, I have to give two positive statements for each negative. Hard to do. I run out of positive statements hence a short letter.
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The obvious difference is that each wal mart customer doesn't contribute to a large percentage of their total revenue. The reason day care parents in home day care have so much power is that their payment covers a large percentage of the business income.
Parents who have their kids in Centers don't have that much power. If they pull out the Center looses one percent or so depending on the size. In home day care it can be 15-25 percent for the average home day care. This is the dynamic that makes the relationship so unique.
My comparison is that we don't have to explain to parents WHY we don't offer a service they want. In the situation of the OP there wasn't any reason at all to be that specific with the parents. The parents wanted drop in care, control over the child's schedule whenever he DID show up, and only pay for whatever days they decided to bring him. Those are services very few providers offer. It's even more rare with successful providers because there is no money in it and the amount of work involved for the money you do get is not worth the effort. Loose loose for the provider. Win win for the parents... until the provider discontinues the service. Once that happens... well see above.
All the provider had to do was notify the parents that she doesn't provide the service anymore and she is giving them two weeks to make other arrangements. During that two week time the parents would need to provide a SET schedule and pay in advance on pay day for the set schedule. If the parents asks what services the provider DOES provide she can firmly say "full time slots only with set schedules (arrival and departure time) and the child maintain the same schedule as the other children". That's what I now offer. Want it?
End of story. If the parents gets upset (which they will when they are getting THIS big of a NO) then the solution is always just discontinue services without payment and we will all be square.
If you read the Mom's emails she said everything in one sentence "I thought that you were a small daycare that would be more concerned with the welfare of the children and their schedules instead of your own schedule. BAM that's the money shot. She wants the provider to do what she wants her to do "for the sake of the child" but not for the sake of money, good working conditions, a happy provider, a stable group, etc. When you have parents talking about "flexibility" you might as well bend over because flexibility almost ALWAYS means that they do what they want and you get paid either a regular amount that you would normally get daily for a regular kid or even less.
If you are going to be FLEXIBLE then you must have a markedly higher daily rate for flexibility. Flexible for the sake of the child means the parents get cheap drop in day care whenever they want and just pay for those days. Flexibility for the "sake of the child" means you do as you are told.
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Honestly, Nannyde, you are like the Daycare Whisperer LOL! I love your wisdom. I think you should write a book. I think what you are saying is right on, as usual.Comment
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Update:
Well, I got payment. We found it at the front door a few minutes ago. I am so hurt by this parent and how much she hates me.
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Um,
Wow,
That actually made my jaw drop.
Doesn't look like $30 worth of pennies though. I would take it to the bank to make sure.
What an itchy bee.
You are much better off without the person in your life and I'm sorry they are moving near you. Make sure you document all this stuff in case they decide to start making accusations with licensing. She seems like the type.Comment
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Aww! Don't let it bother you. She is mad because she didn't get her own way! Take your change to the bank, run it through the change thing, and then use it to go buy yourself a treat!
I'm sure a BIG part of her anger stems from the fact that she can't find anyone to do what you were doing for her. Her loss, she should have been cooperative.Comment
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((hugs)) What a couple of jerks! Good riddance to that family! I know it's easier said than done, but try to move on and not take it so personally. Some people are just hateful and will not be budged once they decide they want to dislike someone. ::cough:: my MIL ::cough, cough:: Just be glad you aren't related to them! You gave that dad notice. You did NOTHING wrong. I'd take that bag to one of those coinstar machines (or even better if they have one of those fancy ones that spins the money around first, kids get such a kick out of those) and let the kids put it in and have fun with it. When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade! That or if you can afford it, donate the money to a charitable cause. It'll make you feel good (at least it does me) and that can be your last act to wash your hands of them and the whole situation.Comment
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Wow, that's alot of pennies
. That is one of the most snotty things I've ever seen someone do! I'm guessing this woman is more than a little passive aggressive! She's likely looking for some sort of reaction from you, just so that she can have the satisfaction of knowing she got back at you -- but don't let her have it! Don't contact her in any way. And the next time you see her, pretend everything is absolutely perfect, and thank her for getting the payment to you (with sincerity).
But whatever you do, don't give her the satisfaction.
And yeah, whoever suggested that you should use the money to treat yourself was right on. Do something nice for yourself!Comment
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Oh wow. Definitely a bully move.
Don't take it hard. She just has "last worditis". She THINKS she had the last word but really you did. She's been abusing your kindness and good will for so long and YOU said "no more". That, my friend, was the LAST word.
Get the pennies to a sorter as soon as you can.. take the money and do something really nice for your family. Don't be upset if it is short. It most likely is. She probably just dumped her change piggy bank into a ziploc so it's probably not the amount it should be. Whatever the amount just use it for something really nice for your kids and yourself and then don't give her another moments thought. Have a double dip chocolate twist cone and think of all of us who were here to help you thru it.
Ya gotta remember that EVERY business has freak customers. We aren't immune to that. You don't get to bypass that segment of the human population. Just because someone has a kid doesn't make them intrinsically a good person. Many a jerk is a parent.
Big hugs to you. If you want someone to talk to you can p.m. me thru this site and I will send you my phone number. Good luck and shake it off mate.
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LMAO!!! I'm so sorry to laugh but I think that it's halarious that this family acts so childish. I have to give her credit for creativity. I feel for you honey. Now, I'm a smart-ass so just for kicks I'd remove like two pennies and write en e-mail that went something like this:
Dear Family,
I am writing to you to confirm and thank you for your promt payment of the monies that were still owed to me. As I went through and counted it however I found that it was short .02. Please let me know when you will be back to pay the remaining balance owed.
Sincerely
Me
:: Okay I dunno if I'd actually do it but I know I'd really really REALLY want to. Either that or tell her that there was an overpayment of .02 and mail them to her. If someone did something like this to me I'd see it as a challenge and I'm sorry to say that I am not above lowering myself to that level. I am not the type to be outdone or to let the other person have tha last laugh. (still chuckling at the thought of having a family drop a bag of 3,000 pennies on my porch).
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On the flip side...
Maybe this is a little snotty, but since you didn't charge her any late fees and were only requiring she pay you $30, if it were me I would definitely return any extra coins over the $30. Either in person or with a note stating that she over paid by x amount and you were returning it to her. This way you show you were honest AND that it didn't seem to bother you.
Give a little love to a child, and you get a great deal back.Comment
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