Worst Day Ever

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  • Unregistered

    Worst Day Ever

    good morning, I am registered but logged out for privacy. I have had the absolute worst morning on record with my child care business.

    I started a DCB in fall of this year. I have had a lot of communication issues with this dcf. I always wrote it off as they are young. I run a pretty laid back program and really all I ask is:

    1. communication 2. pay me on time 3. Please don't bring sick kids to me

    I typically (even though its in my contract to) don't charge extra for early drop offs, late pick ups, and late payments. I just ask that the parents communicate with me schedule changes etc. I don't even care if they call me the morning of and say is it ok if I bring johnny a little early today. It gives me time to prepare.

    Today DCB arrives early, I was not expecting him for another 15 minutes and I was getting dressed. So yes he had to wait. So when I answered the door I kindly said good morning you are early this morning, sorry I was just getting dressed. DCD responded well actually I am late and I said well you are early and I need you to let me know when you will be early. He got stinky with me and said they will find someone else. I said ok and he left only to return a few minutes later to say I will just take DCB. He left.

    A few later DCD called and said DCB will not return so I informed him that fee for this week and my 2 week notice are due. He argued with me and degraded my profession as well as the fact that the problem with my business is that I care for government kids. WHAT??? Kids are kids!!!!

    Anyway DCD has been calling me arguing the fee that is due to me PER OUR CONTRACT and I finally said this is what is due and needs to be paid by end of business day today (I would've given more time had he given me any respect). I also said if it is not paid I will take this to small claims court and I will win because of our signed contract.

    He brought over a cashiers check for the entire amount. Yay me. But really I am such a pushover and when I do enforce my policy/contract this happens: I lose a kid. He also threatened to ruin my reputation: how by saying I enforce my policy/contract that THEY SIGNED.

    I am wreck, I was in tears when another DCP arrived and I hate them seeing me upset. Why is this so hard sometimes!!!!!!
  • SunshineMama
    Advanced Daycare.com Member
    • Jan 2012
    • 1575

    #2
    I'm the same way you are- very kind with similar expectations, and pretty nice and lenient.

    I am finding, over time, however, that being that way does not work in this business. People will take advantage and trash you when they dont get special, even though they signed a contract.

    You can sue for slander/lible if they are trashing your good name.

    Don't cry over these ignorant rude people. They will be that way their entire life. Celebrate you are rid of them!

    Comment

    • B Lou
      Daycare.com Member
      • Jan 2011
      • 189

      #3
      I'm sorry your day started out this way. But good for you for sticking to your contract. Some parents just don't get it. And those that do try to cheat it every time.
      Maybe there are more issues bothering this DCD. But to take out his problems on you are wrong in more way that one.

      I hope your day gets better.(((((H****)))))

      Comment

      • countrymom
        Daycare.com Member
        • Aug 2010
        • 4874

        #4
        too me it sounds like they were going to pull the child, this just made them do it sooner. I have to agree with the above poster, the minute you don't do special you see the real true colors.

        Comment

        • Happy Hearts
          Daycare.com Member
          • May 2012
          • 255

          #5
          I agree that communication is SO important. Most times people hear things how they want to hear it to suit them. I believe everything should be in writing for sure.

          Good for you for sticking to your guns!! You are an inspiration to us all happyface

          Comment

          • renodeb
            Daycare.com Member
            • Jan 2011
            • 837

            #6
            Im sorry that your morning started that way. Im very impressed that you stuck to your guns and you got paid. I think we will always struggle for respect in this job. Im thoroughly convenced that parents dont really read the contract. I have one dad that is just horrible about communication, sometimes its days before he returns my call. Im always having to call him to get the child's schedule for the week. It gets old fast I know.
            I hope you find a replacement for that family! {{{hugs}}}.
            debbie

            Comment

            • littlemissmuffet
              Advanced Daycare.com Member
              • Jan 2011
              • 2194

              #7
              GOOD FOR YOU FOR STICKING UP FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS AND GETTING YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!!! happyface happyface happyface

              Don't worry about your reputation, anyone who knows DCD knows he's an ignorant a$$hole... people don't generally have one-off flip outs like this. I'm sure anyone he tells has seen him act this way before.

              Cheer up!

              Comment

              • MissK
                New Daycare.com Member
                • Jan 2012
                • 180

                #8
                So sorry this was the start to your day! Definitely puts a dark cloud over the rest of the day A definite pat on the back for standing up for yourself and enforcing your policies - in all honesty I'm sure something happened this morning that set him in a bad mood and made him take it out on you - it sure did cost him huh? sorry you lost the kiddo, but at least you don't have to deal with that wacko anymore!!

                Comment

                • wdmmom
                  Advanced Daycare.com
                  • Mar 2011
                  • 2713

                  #9
                  I wouldn't let it get to you. Sure you didn't get the time to say goodbye to the child but in the end, you stayed true to yourself and used your backbone when you needed it most!

                  You got your final payment, now do what you can to fill the spot.

                  I'd rather be sad the child is gone than be mad and have to go after deadbeat parents that didn't pay me the money they owed!

                  Comment

                  • Unregistered

                    #10
                    thank you

                    thank you for all of your kind responses! I have been a mess all day, but reading your responses has helped tremendously.

                    Isn't it funny how when you let them "run" your program things are great??? I mean seriously DCM asked me last week if I offer a sibling discount because they were going to be trying for another baby soon and then all of the sudden they don't like me or my contract???

                    As far as they were planning on finding some where else anyways- I agree 100%! I almost feel good this happened today bc DCM is a teacher and DCB would have been gone for the summer in a couple weeks and I would've been furious if I held the spot all summer only to find out they weren't coming back! Blessing in disguise.

                    Again thank you all for your support!! It means so much!!!!

                    Comment

                    • momma2girls
                      Daycare.com Member
                      • Nov 2009
                      • 2283

                      #11
                      I have been worried about this as well. In all the 9 yrs. of providing great care, I have had about 3 or 4 families leave for very petty, or very stupid things. I was really worried about my reputation. You live and learn!! I should have never kept 2 of the families, threatening, saying stupid things in my home, etc.... nonrespect!!!!

                      Comment

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