Seriously? They Actually Showed Up Today?

[SunshineMama]

I termed a family last week (with 2 week notice) for several reasons. The straw that broke the camel's back was that they kept bringing dcb sick to care.

I sent him home 2 times with diaharrea last week. He didnt show up Friday.

He showed up today and DCM said he STILL is not having normal BM's! She said it is more like coffee grounds and not diaharrea, although they never called what was going on with him last week diaharrea either.

I accepted him into care today, but now I am having second thoughts. I suppose I will wait and see if he has more diaharrea today? I am trying my best to be really nice here but I can't lie- two weeks can't come fast enough!

[SunshineMama]

And they didn't pay today?

I just checked my account and...nothing. It is always in the account monday morning.

What now?

[Zoe]

My advice is that if this kid has a blow out today, send him home and tell them they can't come back. I know you gave them a 2-week notice, but if it's still happening, then maybe the week of them not having care will be enough to get this kid healthy again.

[Zoe]

And they didn't pay! Call that parent NOW and send the child home. For good.

[B Lou]

I would have to agree. First they say he still isn;t have normal BM's, and then on top of it they didn't pay their bill. It's time to call the parent and tell them they need to pick up immediately.
I'm sorry they are doing this to you.
Hope your day gets better.

[cheerfuldom]

Call the parent and tell them to pay immediately (I am assuming it shows to the account right away when paid) or pick up their child within 30 minutes (meaning leave NOW and come get him NOW).

[Heidi]

I agree with the others. Pay now or get your kid NOW!

I'm thinking something passive/aggressive is going on here....

[SunshineMama]

I also feel like they are being passive aggressive. Both parents defriended me on Facebook (after practically stalking me and my friends trying to send a friend request for weeks), then had a no call no show Friday, then brought him today and said he isn't having normal BM's, then didn't send their payment! I am trying so hard to end things on good terms since they were referred to me by my best friend, and they are long time friends with her. I also want to make sure I don't get sued for anything, since my contract says 2 weeks and I don't have any immediate termination clause in it. He hasn't had any BM's today yet. I want to tread very carefully, mostly because I don't want to be sued, so I feel like if I just call them and tell them to get him and not come back they will have some kind of legal grounds, if that makes any sense. Or am I being paranoid? I'm planning on telling them to get him if he has any more diaharrea, and I will tell them he cannot return tomorrow without payment for the week in full. Otherwise, I feel like I have to cover myself. I absolutely hate having to go through this.

[MyAngels]

I would call the parent at work to let them know that their payment was not received as usual and that they need to bring payment at pick up. I would also monitor his health and at the slightest hint of a problem I would call for pick up.

My first thought on the payment thing is they were looking for care over the weekend/Friday but their new provider couldn't start today, so they are stringing you along for a couple of extra days of care and trying to do it without paying, which is why I would require payment today (and preferably in cash ).

[Blackcat31]

Do you have a form that parents sign when you term that lists reasons?

I can see them coming to get the child and then reporting you. I know you are legally unlicensed but that doesn't mean they can't report you...kwim?

I would call them and have them pay IMMEDIATELY or come get the child and I would also have them sign a statement stating that you termed due to not being able to meet their needs (caring for their sick child) and for NON-Payment.....actually there is your immediate out if you wanted it....they didn't pay so they are done. period.

Might be better off to go that route and simply be done all together.

[WImom]

Do you have a form that parents sign when you term that lists reasons?

I can see them coming to get the child and then reporting you. I know you are legally unlicensed but that doesn't mean they can't report you...kwim?

I would call them and have them pay IMMEDIATELY or come get the child and I would also have them sign a statement stating that you termed due to not being able to meet their needs (caring for their sick child) and for NON-Payment.....actually there is your immediate out if you wanted it....they didn't pay so they are done. period.

Might be better off to go that route and simply be done all together.

I agree with this. Keep us updated. It ****s you have to deal with this.

[Willow]

Not only do you have the excuse they didn't pay, but how about the fact that mom herself admitted HE'S STILL SICK.


There's nothing from a legal standpoint that could force anyone to provide care to a child with diarrhea that isn't being medically treated, or hold them financially responsible for any sort of contract in the same regard.

[Unregistered]

I termed a family last week (with 2 week notice) for several reasons. The straw that broke the camel's back was that they kept bringing dcb sick to care.

I sent him home 2 times with diaharrea last week. He didnt show up Friday.

He showed up today and DCM said he STILL is not having normal BM's! She said it is more like coffee grounds and not diaharrea, although they never called what was going on with him last week diaharrea either.

I accepted him into care today, but now I am having second thoughts. I suppose I will wait and see if he has more diaharrea today? I am trying my best to be really nice here but I can't lie- two weeks can't come fast enough!

Coffee grounds in vomit or a bowel movement is usually curtled old blood. I would not be humming and hawing over what to do here as baby needs to go to the dr ASAP. I'm so worried about the little guy and your liability if he were to become violently ill while in your care. You know he is sick. Call for pick up. At this point too I'd call CPS and report if you don't hear they have taken him to the Dr. He needs to be seen.

The nonpayment is just the icing on the cake for me. I dont envy this situation at all.

[SunshineMama]

Do you have a form that parents sign when you term that lists reasons?

I can see them coming to get the child and then reporting you. I know you are legally unlicensed but that doesn't mean they can't report you...kwim?

I would call them and have them pay IMMEDIATELY or come get the child and I would also have them sign a statement stating that you termed due to not being able to meet their needs (caring for their sick child) and for NON-Payment.....actually there is your immediate out if you wanted it....they didn't pay so they are done. period.

Might be better off to go that route and simply be done all together.

I do not have a form that they sign that lists reasons. I wish I did. Another thing I will be incorporating into my PHB, thanks to this family. I just text them and said that his payment did not come through as usual, and would they like to try again or bring cash/check at pick up? I then gave them a brief update on their child (said he has not had any BM's yet and is currently happy).

No response. I wanted to have my request in writing and will print out the entire conversation.

I can definitely see these parent trying to pull a fast one and then reporting for goodness knows what- they come across as very passive aggressive, with the de-friending, not paying, and then telling me that he still is not having normal stools.

How do I protect myself in the event that they try to file a false claim? I have nothing to hide and I follow licensing guidelines even though I am not licensed, and I am a very loving, good provider.

[Heidi]

as for the "coffee grounds" thing, any chance he was playing in a sandbox and ate sand? A few of mine have done that on occasion, and that is exactly how I would describe their bm's